MARVELING AT NATURE

 Marveling at nature...What looks like a snow covered lake is actually fog that hangs in a lower valley. It often moves up through our mountain valley, appearing like a white sheet being pulled over one's head. Fascinating..... And look at this darling birds nest I spotted on the road this morning during our 'forced march'....

FALL COLORS NOW SHOWING OFF

 Early this morning during our daily 'forced march', we were rewarded with views of our mountain fall colors.  Yes.....stunning!

OUR SMOKY MOUNTAINS

You know when I throw one of these nature scene photos in my blog....it means I'm headlong into a project and not spending much time on anything else!  This photo was snapped during our early morning 'forced march'.....as you can see it's just getting light.

The phenomenon of what appears to be smoke rising from the forested mountains is what gave our area to be named the Smoky Mountains.  It's actually fog that is created by the vegetation.

SNOW #4 - 2020-21 Season

 Fortunately, the prediction of a huge snow storm didn't quite materialize....we got about 2 inches on the ground.  As is often the case here in the mountains.....precipatation freezes on the roads, covered by the snow....dangerous for walking and driving.

So for the safety of our old bones, we donned our Yaktrax.....and grabbed our hiking sticks as we headed out for the dreaded morning 'forced march'.

Turns out the temperature overnight wasn't cold enough to allow accumulation on the paved roads, though much of our walk is not paved.

Dog and human (Yaktrax) signs on our almost clear roads.

We weren't the only ones out for a morning stroll.......

THE BEAUTY OF CRABTREE VALLEY

We live in a lovely rural mountain valley in Western North Carolina........45 mins. West of Asheville & 24 miles East from the Tennessee border.  The scenery never disappoints.  These photos were taken off our covered porch.

About 7:15 AM - Looking North East

                  View looking South - down Crabtree Valley - 5:30 PM

Look how green the grass remains in mid. November...no wonder we moved here!

FALL COLOR?!?

 This strange year goes on and on..... our fall here in the Blue Ridge Mountains usually features a prolonged stunning display of color. We've had some lovely days, but look....same place, same time of the day.....5 days apart and it's gone from not yet peak to almost over.

I'll bet I'm not the only one who is anxious for 2020 to be over!!

WATERFALL TOUR

We took advantage of a beautiful summer day for another social distancing drive  on a waterfall tour.  There are hundreds of waterfalls in Western North Carolina which we personally have ignored now for quite awhile.  It's funny how when you first get acquainted with a new place, one investigates and explores everything.  Time passes and those exciting places are kinda forgotten.  This is the perfect time to enjoy our surroundings again!!

There were a surprising number of folks out and about, most following covid guidelines and wearing a mask.  In some instances the crowds made picture taking impossible.  Happily I managed some and this post will feature one of the beauties we visited. 

Dry Falls - Nantahala National Forest, Highlands, NC

YES....I said Dry Falls.....gotta wonder about that name!?!

If you follow this blog you'll know we've had a lot of rain this summer.....thus the overabundance of water flowing with thunderous noise.  There're numerous staircases that lead from the parking lot down to the viewing area where as you can see....it's a perfect place to take photos.

 Look carefully on the middle right....see someone that appears on a path?  This falls drops from a large outcropping of rocks.....allowing a path behind the actual falls that one can walk.....totally cool!!

Moss, lichen and dripping moisture make for a study in texture on the surrounding rocks.

Here's a link to help you find waterfalls to view:

A big thank you to our club buddies who organized this fun day......

BEAUTY OF NATURE

We were told by locals when we moved here that for every foggy summer morning, we'd have 1 day of snow in the winter.  I sure hope not.....we've had fog nearly every morning now for over a month as our daily rain storms continue, sometimes 2 or three times each day.

We got another 1.75 inches last night...and some good boomers....thunderstorms not very common here compared to the Midwest.  But this one knocked our internet out for over 12 hrs. 

However, I was rewarded by this glistening spider web spotted during our hour long morning 'forced march'.

SUMMER RAINS

The weather pattern this summer is nearly identical to the very first one we experienced after moving here in the spring of 2006.  It rains every afternoon for about an hour!  Due to the welcome moisture & thanks to the constant work by 'the husband', our planting areas on our 2+ acres are beautiful.

View from our upper driveway

Small display on our back deck

SMOKY MOUNTAINS

As mentioned in the past, we live in a beautiful small mountain valley located in Western North Carolina.  There's a reason this area is referred to as the Smoky Mountains.

The first two photos are taken from our front deck.  The third from our back deck.  The final photos were taken while driving home on the road that winds through our valley.

FUN ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

We belong to a very active car club.  Our Drive and Dine events are always very popular....even if that now means drive and picnic with social distancing.

 This is the 3rd grouping of 15 cars each that did the drive to Mt. Mitchell, picnic and finished up zooming along the Devil's Whip (which ends near Marion, NC)

 Typical vista views often seen earlier in the day before the sun burns off all the moisture.  

The speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph, but often drops to 35 or 25 depending upon the terrain.  Lower speeds certainly help to enjoy the scenery.

WE LEFT THE DETENTION HALL

After sheltering in place (except for essentials) since March 13th we joined friends for a social distancing/mask wearing outing.  Day one we drove the Cherohola Skyway which winds up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 18 miles in North Carolina and descends another 23 into the deeply forested back country of Tennessee.  

The 90 min. drive from our home to Robbinsville, NC where we picked up the Skyway has loads of fun sports car driving roads.  At one point our route passed one end of the famous Tail of the Dragon, a bucket list road for many thrill seekers.

We stopped at many of the scenic overlooks along the way and made a side trip to Bald River Falls in the Cherokee National Forest.  Glorious!  

 An overnight stop at Snowbird Mountain Lodge was relaxing with their large verandas, perfect for social distancing and their superb fine dining.

What a surprise to find a Tesla charging station on the property!!

Day two took us to Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.  This 3,800 acre publicly owned virgin forest is best known for it's scenic 2 mile hiking trail.  Because a bridge was being repaired the trail snaked a lot further than 2 miles which left us panting by the time we returned to our cars.

Notice our concerted effort to social distance!

 Trunk art....someone put some stones in the end of this tree to create eyes that go along with the smiley face.

Many of the original trees still stand but you can't get an idea of their size until you see it illustrated like this.

Refreshed and in a better frame of mind to face the Covid restrictions.

ART AT THE ARBORETUM

Asheville, NC and the surrounding areas are known for its art.....truly you can't go very far in any direction without experiencing work by inspiring artists.  From now till May 10th, Environmental Impact ll is on display at the NC Arboretum.  It features more than 50 artworks, including paintings, photography, sculptures, and fiber.

Here are just a few at the Baker Exhibit Center that caught my eye.

This last one really intrigued me.  There was a binder viewers could look through that provided explanations and locations of the forest fires.  The transferred colors and textures on the sheer fabrics were astonishingly good.

BILTMORE SHOWCASES DOWNTON ABBEY EXHIBIT

Oh my, what a treat!!!  The Biltmore Estate is hosting another Downton Abbey Exhibit and I've been preparing for my visit by (yet again) binging on the TV series.  It was a dreary day outside, but with a happy heart I joined two friends as we examined the displays.  Thank you Lynn for making this happen!

 The exhibit has many interactive viewing stations. In fact there's a lot of unexpected high tech that I won't share to avoid spoiling the surprises for further visitors.  But at one such screen, viewers could apply for a job at Downton.  After answering numerous questions, I was short listed for a job as a Lady's Maid!

 Every aspect of life at Downton was on display.  Jewelry worn by the stars as well as clothing.

 How many times have we all seen Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson donning this clothing?  They are as familiar to fans as our own.

The Downton Exhibit is actually presented in two separate areas of the Biltmore Estate.   Quite a large selection of clothing worn by the actors was beautifully & thoughtfully displayed in Antler Village.  I was especially enthralled by the delicate embroidery and beadwork.  This was one of Mary's evening gowns.

This screen displayed pages of a book and viewers could listen the descriptions. The presentation is just beginning as the pages begin turn and become visible. What struck me as I traveled through the exhibit is the melding of our current technology into a long past way of life.

 Astonishingly one could walk into sets from the show, here's the kitchen along with (headless) Mrs. Patmore and Daisy!

Lady Mary's bedroom and two pieces of her bedroom wardrobe.

 Each room had video screens with scenes from those settings playing in the background....you can see it here in the dining room.

  What incredible luxury....one can just guess at how many courses they would be served by looking at all that flatware.

 As one nears the very end of this part of the exhibit, you come across 'the gong'!  Rung to announce the time to dress for the evening.  Of course I rang it.

 And as you enter the last room, Mr. Carson appears on a huge screen and asks who rang the gong!  Several other characters also make appearances, chatting with the viewer like you are actually there.  It's a charming way to end this part of the exhibit.

We spent several hours going through the two exhibits, so I'll spare you the massive number of photos I took.  Honestly, for such a fan as myself it was so much fun.  The exhibit will be at the Biltmore until April.  We arrived early and because it was a very rainy day, the crowd was manageable.  I give this an enthusiastic thumbs up!