A BRP Drive Part Two

We didn't stop at Mount Mitchell this trip, but continued on north.  After a bit the Parkway begins to descend, and at the lower elevation we saw more trees with leaves and more color.  

Golden beeches and fir snags

Every time we pass the Laurel Knob overlook, I like to stop and visit the table mountain pines.  

Table Mountain Pine, Pinus pungens

Table mountain pine is not one of the more common pines--this tree is only found in the southern Appalachains.

Pungens--the second part of its binomial scientific name--is Latin for sharp, and the table mountain pine is definitely prickly.  It has stiff, sharp-pointed needles in bundles of two.  Its cones have sharp, upward-curved prickles.  

If you look up from underneath, you can see that the cones and dead branches are held on the tree for many years.

There's also a dead table mountain pine at the overlook that adds interest to a panoramic photo in the afternoon shadows.

 Not far past the pines, we took highway 80 down towards Burnsville and then we made our way back to Madison county.

A BRP Drive Part One

We woke up to snow this morning and a predicted low of 14° F tonight, making me think I should post some autumn photos before winter really sets it.

A week or so ago,  the Pop and I went for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We left in mid-afternoon and drove down the hill to Weaverville and over to the Parkway from there and headed north.  Sunshine, blue skies, fresh air, and just a bit of chill--a perfect autumn day.

First we stopped at the Craggy Gardens picnic area and took the trail up from there.   

 
At this elevation--over 5,000 feet--many of the trees had already lost their leaves.

Beeches were one of the few that hadn't.  Beeches can become quite large trees, but because they are more tolerant of shade than other trees, they're often found in the forest understory.

American Beech, Fagus grandifolia

Sunlight, blue skies, and golden beech leaves

Back down the trail and into the car, we next stopped at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.

Mountain Ash, Sorbus americana

Just below the visitor center, mountain ashes are growing.  Mountain ash is the North American version of the European rowan--a sacred tree of the British Isles.  This must have been a "super bloom" year for the mountain ash, as well as for flowers growing on the California hillsides, because there were brilliant red berries everywhere.  

In the winter cold, harsh winds blow up the valley shearing and shaping the trees, keeping them compact and twiggy.

Back to the car and onward through the tunnel. 

Craggy Pinnacle Tunnel

More tomorrow.

Dark, Dreary, Snowy Sunday

It's been snowing all morning.  The temperature is right around freezing and the ground is warm, so there will be no accumulation.

It's the kind of dark, dreary day when I feel sleepy all day and nothing gets done. 

A Beautiful Fall Day

Looking East

After two and a quarter inches of rain yesterday, today was a bright, breezy, beautiful day.  Too bad I had to stay inside most of it working on getting health insurance to supplement Medicare.

Looking south

Overall, this year is not going to be one of the best for color.   The sourwoods and maples are showing a bit of red.  And the beeches near the well house are a bright yellow.  The poplars have already dropped most of their leaves.  Still a lot of green though.

Looking west

We may get the first frost this week.  It's a little late this year.  All the tender plants came inside last week and most of the garden has been put to bed, so we're ready.

From the Garden on Friday

According to the calendar, the first frost could be here any day, but for now warm temperatures continue.  We have two tomato plants still going strong producing as many tomatoes as we can cook and eat.

 

Early October

It's early October and the goldenrods are waning. 

The honey girls are everywhere, frantically gathering the last bits of pollen and nectar.  Winter is coming.

There are quite a few blossoms  left on the cut leaf coneflower.

 

 Though mostly just the seed heads.

It's aster season.  We have at least three species growing around the house above Heck Creek.  

The first is this tiny-flowered one.  The flowers are about 1/2 inch in diameter and the centers are pinkish when the flowers are mature.

Then there is this white one with yellow centers and larger flowers, 3/4 to an inch in diameter.

And finally we have this blue one. It's flowers are in the 3/4 to 1 1/4-inch range.

The honey girls don't seem to have a color preference.  They're buzzing around  them all doing the final gather before winter.

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