Fall in western North Carolina is always decorated with so many colors that one can’t help but think of boxes full of crayons. Reds, oranges, yellows, rusts, golds and lush greens abound in every direction for as far as the eye can see. We spend much of fall on the road just enjoying the beauty of our mountain home and the surrounding states. Even though we live here, we join the thousands of other eco-tourists that come to this part of North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia every year to breathe in the crisp mountain air and be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of natural fall colors as the leaves turn.
The temperature this time of year can vary as much as 40 degrees from sunrise to mid-afternoon. Dressing in layers is not about making a fashion statement but a way of survival. But, it’s so worth it. And this is the best time of year for sleeping. Chilly enough to need a blanket, yet once you put that blanket on the bed and snuggle in its warmth – to sleep you go.
Ah, but today’s been a day of even greater beauty and wonder.Unfortunately my photography skills are far from expert and it just might not be entirely clear from my picture what you are actually looking at. This is one of the beautiful maple trees in our back yard with red fall leaves surrounded by cedars and pines. Look closely at those seemingly random bits of over-exposure. Yes, Virginia, that’s snow! And it sure is a long time before Christmas will be here.
It’s not even Halloween yet. The leaves are still on most of the trees. Our chipmunk friends are still only gathering their stashes. It’s just too early for the fluffy white stuff!
Of course, as I sit here writing this about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the sun is shining, the sky is that beautiful shade of blue particular to North Carolina and there’s not a single trace of the snow from earlier today.
Oh, I so love this time of year. Beauty surrounds us in every direction and every now and again Mother Nature finds a way to make it even more amazing and I just thought I would share that beauty with you.