A Quilt of Color

Autumn view from Green Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok


I realize at this point, pictures of fall colors have become cliche. They are everywhere, made at some point by everyone. And deservedly so. But, please indulge me for a little while longer because on a recent getaway to the mountains of North Carolina, we found much of autumn's beauty still remaining. I must confess, as much as we like Charleston, our hearts are in the wild mountains of Appalachia.

To reach this point above the Catawba River Valley, we had to hike 10.5 miles over rough terrain, then travel switchbacks on plodding mules for another 5.8713452567 miles. Along the way we also rode on the backs of llamas, camels and ostriches. The ostriches were not too happy about that, I can tell you... they were in such a cantankerous mood! I would have preferred emus. They are much more genial in temperament, but none were at hand. To arrive at our final destination, at this overlook, I carried Becky on my back, then she carried me on her shoulders (Little John and Friar Tuck were there too). In all it took us 3.60236541 days. 

Just teasing.
Actually it took us only 20.50000000009 minutes to drive to this overlook, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, 
in a raging blizzard...
of autumn leaves.