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)

Driving through town

 A fun juxtaposition of a sweet sign (Hey Hey Cupcakes) and a earth moving vehicle being carted behind a flat-bed truck, making it look as if it's flying

.

Everybody stops in the center of town, no matter which way you're going, it's just standard to expect about 2-3 minutes wait, or sometimes up to 6 minutes as the lights cycle through and pedestrians eventually get their chance to cross US 70 or NC 9, aka State St. and Montreat Rd.

When I got to my admittedly favorite restaurant with an order waiting for my take-out, there was this extraordinary vehicle parked there. I dare say it is a patron, rather than someone who works there! It's nice to think that people who run around in this money-absorbing gas-guzzler eat much the same food that I do.

The weather was just beautiful, our first day of fall. Here's the hidden Welcome to Black Mountain sign, with beautiful flowers at least!

I had stimulated my appetite by walking around Lake Tomahawk earlier with a friend. More on that in another post.

Tailgate Sept. 18, 2021

 There weren't as many pop-up tents or vendors at the Tailgate Market behind the First Baptist church this week. There didn't seem to be a big crowd of shoppers either. But the Mud Buddies said they did alright for an "off season" Saturday morning.  The next tourist season will be October when people come to see the pretty fall foliage in the mountains.

The three potters share the duties of sales. There once were five of us, but the rest of us have retired.

The three potters were wearing masks, of course. And visitors were also asked to wear them.

The Mud Buddies didn't even come out to sell pots last year at all.

The market had some lovely little ones walking with parents, and this mom gave me permission to take the princess' photo. The market no longer allows dogs to come visit everyone...but one huge white poodle combination walked sedately through with its owner. I dare say it didn't walk by the gate keeper, but came in on the other side of the area.

I got a kick out of the chicken and the letters on this table...the letters are metal.

Black Mountain NC has rocking chairs all over the place.

I sat in this one while waiting for a table outside at our local "Bistro". But while we had waited for 20 minutes, all the patio tables were designated for a party of 15 who had called in. We were already on the list, but somehow that reservation got precedence. We sat inside, but I wasn't happy about it.

My rocker had a little ginger bread man cookie. I left it there.

A photo of a photo, which has attribution of the artist.

The art decorated rockers are sold to raise funds for some civic organization of the town. (I don't remember what.)

Today's quote:

True compassion recognizes that all the boundaries we perceive between ourselves and others are an illusion.

Some more then and now shots

  

Carolina Foam and Fabric store, which had just a few customers every time I stopped in. I don't remember when it went out of business...but now it's housing some Town offices as well as the public works around the back. 

A few weeks ago there was a car show out front of the current town offices. The only signage is right on the glass doors. They kept the window awning treatment, but made them black instead of blue.

My friend Cathy selling her work at the Tailgate Market in 2014. Note the background...

Cathy at the Tailgate Market May 2021! Her pottery is much more cheerful these days!

And where the limo was housed in a shed before (in background of "then" with Cathy) now there's a nursery school!

Cathy and myself, 2014 at the Potters Market in Marion NC.

Friend Teresa at her 60th birthday party in 2019.

At my birthday lunch a week or so ago, 2021. I'm beginning to think once the hair turns totally white, each year looks pretty much the same. 

Helen and me, maybe Dec. 2017

Helen 2014

Helen in San Francisco in 2019

Sharing with Sepia Saturday this week! Come on over and see what other photos have been shared from collections all over the world.

Today's quote:

The wisdom that begins with surprise is the wisdom of a grateful heart. BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST