Remembering Last Wednesday

 

If that tabletop in the foreground didn't look so lopsided this could have been a header photo. Oh well...

I don't think including the graffiti and the bench inside the gazebo helps though.

The very last of the pretty red leaves. And we enjoy all these mild sunny days, but for how long? Fires have been starting out in the woods all over North Carolina. We desperately need rain.

Had to get a close up

At first I thought the grass had just been cut, but maybe several days ago. Not at all the season for pollen here!

I went to a meeting with a student from Warren Wilson College, writing a paper about Climate Change actions in this area. 

Suzanne and I spoke about the Climate Conversation group.

It was great to learn about young people who are interested in Climate Change...and all the options that are available to work for change.

These weren't the men putting up the Holiday decorations along the main streets...they were "real electricians working on the lines."

Today's quote:

Facing the truth upfront rather than turning from it will keep your life moving in a forward and positive direction.

Trees and oh the leaves!

The trees have stayed beautiful much longer this year, with little rain storms until today, and though it pulled a lot of leaves down, there wasn't any rain to pull the last ones.

What sidewalks?

Today's quote:

Betty White said:

You don’t fall off the planet once you pass a given age. You don’t lose any of your sense of humor. You don’t lose any of your zest for life, or your lust for life.” —Today, 1991

Around Black Mountain

  OK, I admit to confusing the date and publishing this yesterday, so thanks to those who saw it yesterday and commented. I read your comments, and if you wish others to see them, please do so again!

New Australian Shephard puppy! Or was it Austrian?

The coleus has been trimmed, and while original plants were watered, these are the ones that I hope to root. Yes, I remember saying no over-wintering of other plants besides just house plants.

So I'll let the verbena and geranium freeze back tomorrow or the next night. And I cut all the dead blooms off the chrysanthemums, and gave them a good drink, but they will also be out in the weather.

Fun houses and maybe some fall colors

 

I've got more of these to share...

when I feel better.

I have been dealing with my usual cough, and nose run to add to it, and tummy issues. So that's been the last 5 days. COVID test was negative.  I've canceled one of my favorite fall excursions up to the Parkway and the Altapass Apple Orchard.

So I'll give you something to look at while I get better...I hope.

From a parking lot...

Today's quote:

You cannot begin to preserve any species of animal unless you preserve the habitat in which it dwells. Disturb or destroy that habitat and you will exterminate the species as surely as if you had shot it. So conservation means that you have to preserve forest and grassland, river and lake, even the sea itself. This is not only vital for the preservation of animal life generally, but for the future existence of man himself -- a point that seems to escape many people. -Gerald Durrell, naturalist and author (7 Jan 1925-1995)

Looking Glass Falls in the fall

Below the falls, the creek that becomes Davidson creek, I wonder if it's called that all the way up the mountain?

Stairs wend down to the observation area at the foot of the falls.  Going down is realtively easy.  You know the rest.

There are nice climbing rocks at the bottom, next to the shallow pool, so I ventured out as far as I could with dry boots.  Spray was sometimes blowing my way even then.  I found it interesting that my skill of rock hopping returned to me easily and coming back up was a breeze, because I could tell the rocks weren't really slippery from that angle.  Going down the rocks I was much more careful than on the stairs.

Sorry I called them Window Pane Falls the other day...I've corrected my mistake.  I've been getting those names confused ever since I first visited these falls in 2005 (I think).

Davidson Farm colors

Coming off Hwy 64, turning up 276 into Pisgah Forest, headed toward the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This rather moldy looking information sign tells about the family which originally lived on the land which had now become this highway.  There were 10 children.  The Biltmore estate purchased the land and kept farming it for a while, but it has been returning to forest for about 50 years.  There was just one path that indicated where this family had lived.

I was glad the river still retains the family name, and the road follows it up to the prettiest and easiest falls to see.

There were gorgeous gold trees all over the river valley, making it feel like I was traveling on a golden corridor.

And then my first view of Looking Glass Falls.  More of that lovely cascade tomorrow!