A Fall Sunday Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Today we enjoyed a Sunday drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year is not a spectacular year for leaf peeping but we still saw some pretty color.
Here you see the James River with the town of Big Island in the distance. The Blue Ridge Parkway is just beyond Big Island.
A drive on the parkway is pretty no matter the season. Many of the leaves are still green at the bottom of the mountain.
You can see a pretty distinct line where the color stops. The leaves on the mountain tops must have been at their peak last weekend as they are gone now.
These photos were taken at the Thunder Ridge overlook. We like to take “self portraits” when we’re out and about.
It was a little chilly on top of the mountain for tennis attire. We took our drive after a practice session.
The strip of white that you see on the mountain below is Devil’s Marble Yard. It’s an area where huge boulders jut out of the mountain side. It’s a fun hike and even more fun to climb on the rocks.
Long ago I ran the Apple Orchard Falls loop that starts here. If I can ever get over my back problem and get back to exercising 100%, I want to do this run again.
Here you see Sharp Top Mountain taken from the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The Sunday brunch must be good because there wasn’t a parking spot to be found. A walk around this lake is really pretty but we skipped it because of the crowds.
I’m glad we took the time to go on a drive today. If we’d waited one more week, it would have been too late. When it comes to leaf-peeping, if you snooze, you lose!
So pretty! Looks like a place I would like to visit:) Thanks for sharing, I’m visiting from Naps on the porch.
Wow, the views are stunning. I would love to go there.
Beautiful! I love this time of year!
Spectacular – I don’t even need the full display of fall colors to enjoy these pictures, Paula! I have only seen mountains in person once in my life. It must be incredible to drive or walk through the mountains.
Its beautiful were you live! Love this time of year.
Looks like you had a wonderful time and the pictures are gorgeous!
xo
What great photos! It’s just beautiful there. What a great way to re-energize for the week ahead. Love your self portraits 🙂
I like the self-portraits too! What a nice drive. I used to go through the mountains going to and from JMU, but it’s been awhile. You got some good shots!
I love the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway! I’m disappointed that we probably won’t make it there this season. Thanks for sharing your photos…next best thing to being there myself 🙂
Jennifer
I’ve been waiting for your leaf-looking pictures. These are just breath-taking. Are you near Wintergreen? (I have no idea where that is.) My SIL ran a race there yesterday at some type of festival. I kept wondering if it was something you would have attended.
I was hoping you would have given me a critique of the food at the Peaks of Otter! I haven’t been there in years!
Your photo’s are beautiful! I love this time of the year. Looks like a wonderful place to visit!