Big Changes Around Here
This is the time of year when there are big changes around here. Not only do the trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway light up in blaze of color, but cars, trucks, and motorcycles stream up and down the road to see them.
I live down one of those wooded dirt roads tucked away off the Parkway and regularly drive up to the Saddle or the Rocky Knob overlook, just a few miles from my house, to watch the moonrise, the sunset, or just to get the perspective that I can only get under a big sky.
Since we moved here in 1991, the Parkway has been an important part of our lives. Before we were married Joe and I went to the Parkway to exchange our yearly vows in a ceremony we called “United Untied.” In 1997, when we did decide to marry, we had the wedding ceremony at the Parkway Saddle and our reception party at the Chateau Morrisette.
At any other time of year, I barely see another vehicle on my short trips up to the Parkway overlooks. This weekend, while Joe was teaching meditation, getting us firewood, and playing soccer, I went on an apple picking and photography outing with a Wall Resident client who was staying with us over the weekend. I did not own the road, could not pull over at every whim for every spectacular scene. The overlooks were packed with hikers, family picnickers, nature lovers, tourists, Hokies, and family reunion goers.
After taking in and photographing the views, my friend and I headed down to the Rock Castle Gorge trail to the same abandoned orchard where Joe and I went in the spring to see the blossoms and where we go every fall to pick apples. We found the trees were full of fruit high up in branches, so I picked up a stick and started whacking like the big bad wolf trying to shake down a little pig.
The moral of this story is apple crisp for everyone.
Post notes: See the apple orchard in spring bloom HERE.
And apple picking with Joe in a past year is HERE.
October 21st, 2008 10:59 pm
yummmmm! apple crisp. beautiful scenery, colleen. we drove into the cascades this weekend. i will post some photos soon. autumn – isn’t it lovely?
October 21st, 2008 11:02 pm
Yayyyy..apple crisp!! I love those photos.
October 21st, 2008 11:25 pm
Beauty abounds!!
October 21st, 2008 11:50 pm
I was at the Saddle this past weekend too…yes, very busy!
October 22nd, 2008 6:22 am
Remind me to steer clear of you when you are apple picking,especially when you pick up that stick. I have this image in my mind….Sorry all of lowlanders descend on your beautiful place this time of year.
October 22nd, 2008 8:11 am
Are all the apples that small?
How many do you need to make an apple crisp?
Sounds like a lovely weekend.
October 22nd, 2008 9:11 am
That is a very small apple. I keep it as my mascot. I have already made two apple crisps. They take about mid size apples.
Tabor, whenever I go to the orchard I start talking fairytale talk. Big bad wolf, Sleeping Beauty, and Eve all came to mind.
It is like living on the coast and having to share the beach with tourists in the summer. Ultimately, I’m happy to share the scenic beauty of this area and am glad the Parkway is being used for what it was intended to be.
October 22nd, 2008 10:25 am
All’s well, that ends well, if Apple Crisp is the final result. I’m going to have to make one myself now.
Gorgeous colours and such a vista in your area. It must be like a daily dose of Paradise!
Kat
October 22nd, 2008 10:54 am
What gorgeous landscapes. How wonderful to be able to walk in Natures abundance.
October 22nd, 2008 12:19 pm
God’s paintbrush extra busy in your area..sandy
October 22nd, 2008 1:04 pm
How remarkably similar views when you’re so far away.
October 22nd, 2008 1:10 pm
We saw the same scenes while driving on the Blue Ridge down to Alabama. We do live in a gorgeous area.
October 22nd, 2008 2:50 pm
I was on the Blue Ridge a few weeks ago, a bit early for the nice foliage. But I DID see a BEAR!!!
October 22nd, 2008 8:36 pm
What BEAUTIFUL country surrounds you!!! I love your colorful ‘fall’ photos and would enjoy some apple crisp for sure. I’m celebrating my 1st Blogoversary TODAY at Small Reflections and tomorrow at Sacred Ruminations. How time flies! Hope you’ll drop by if time permits.
Hugs and blessings,
October 22nd, 2008 8:36 pm
Mmmm…I like the moral of your story! 🙂 I also like your pictures–love the light on the ridges of the mountains in the second shot.
October 22nd, 2008 11:23 pm
It is Sooo very Beautiful there, Colleen. This certainly is a special time of year in your neck of the woods. The Colors of the leaves—-Oh My! Although we have some trees here that turn…We have NOTHING like the great symphony of color that you have there and throughout the east coast–Particularly New England….! I miss that sometimes, I must say….But not the cold weather that follows. (Today it was waaaaaay up there at almost THREE Digits–And I’m sure in some places it was 100 and over….I prefer the 80 degree type weather, but, for me, warm is always better than cold…)
I LOVE those little apples….! So dear!
October 23rd, 2008 1:19 pm
I have never done the Rock Castle Gorge trail. Everyone tells me it is awesome but the right time just hasn’t come up for me to hike it. I’ve fished Rock Creek but that is about it. We grew up on the other side of the county. Our journey to the parkway was up and down Squirrel Spur road and that is still my favorite way up. That side of the area I’ve explored more of.
I met to go up last week to MOD for my pancakes but I was too sick. We are going up this week though, I can’t miss a tradition!