More Blue Ridge and Altamont Apple Orchard

A duplicate of post (that was planned for When I was 69 today...but will come again tomorrow), 

Though the majority of the trees are still green, we loved spotting the beautiful colors of fall shining in spots.

Our ears had popped a long time ago...since Black Mountain's elevation is around 2400 feet. The Parkway winds its way through the mountains, going up and down and around a lot!

That break in the vegetation didn't look wide enough to be a fire break...so maybe it's just a fire road.  Or something else?

After juggling around in another crowded parking lot...we went inside at the Altamont Apple Store.

We stood in line so I could buy a piece of home made apple pie.  It's so much better than any I can buy or make!!

It's fun to sit out on the balcony and look over the orchard.

There was a cute diorama, as well as explanations of which kinds of apples were grown where at the orchard. 

Today's quote:

​Creativity -- like human life itself -- begins in darkness. We need to acknowledge this. All too often, we think only in terms of light: "And then the lightbulb went on and I got it!" It is true that insights may come to us as flashes. It is true that some of these flashes may be blinding. It is, however, also true that such bright ideas are preceded by a gestation period that is interior, murky, and completely necessary. -Julia Cameron, artist, author, teacher, filmmaker, composer, and journalist (b. 4 Mar 1948) 

Ranger Station at Craggy Gardens on BRP

  Not only does this stop show views both to the southeast and northwest, but they've a little shop inside, as well as a special display outside their door today. (This post is a duplicate of one being shown on my other blog, When I was 69)

That's one of the interstates winding through the mountains...looking NW from the ranger station, I was told it's I-26 going n. to Johnson City, TN.

Yep, we had to park illegally. There were a few zillion cars there (but everyone was very nice to each other.)

We were interested in this display with the Ranger talking about the Bobcat. Poor thing is stuffed, and a pelt next to it was available to touch with the back of one's hand. 

The views out the windows of the ranger station are superb!

In the colder days, before the parkway closes due to ice on the roads in the tunnels, this is a nice warm place to come!

And I picked out this comfortable blue hiking stick. As well as a new bumper sticker with a rainbow bear on it.

Today's quote:

​“At the point where you get your writerly vocation you diminish your receptivity to experience. Being able to write becomes a kind of shield, a way of hiding, a way of too instantly transforming pain into honey.” John Updike ​(18 Mar 1932-2009)

Bush Farmhouse Restaurant

 (repost from When I was 69)

Lunch with(out) the animals

 Actually most of them were out in the garden, and only one donkey came into my dining area, and was easily steered out to the garden by one of the staff, and that was before we ate.

I got there early, at The Bush Farmhouse, which has gone through several changes over the years When I moved here in 2007, it was a little farmers market which was owned by folks who soon became friends of mine. It was a bit pricy but local produce was available all year round.

Later owners put a lot of effort into raising various veggies right on the property...and those beds are still active.

Well, the chickens thought this dirt had just the right bugs or worms for them to scratch up.

There's patio seating where the little donkeys were walking, before any customers came in. They are miniature donkeys.

This was our table, where lone little me sat for a half hour waiting for my friends. In the meantime about 6 other tables were set up, most on the patio. This area is kind of halfway inside and halfway outside.

It's also where the bar is situated.

I really enjoyed reading the menu, then asking for definitions of some of the words...this is South African cuisine.

OK, I've already shown you a lot, so let's do other photos tomorrow!

Today's quote:

​The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well, on the surface of a gas-covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away and think this to be normal, is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be. -Douglas Adams, author (11 Mar 1952-2001)