Absolutely Stunning Fall Foliage We headed North this year and witnessed some absolutely stunning fall foliage along the Natchez Trace Parkway and returning via the Blue Ridge Parkway. When I say stunning, there are simply not enough superlatives to describe the view from a road rimmed with glimmering golds, fiery oranges and shimmering scarlets. Each time we stopped to snap more photos, our hearts nearly stopped with the beauty that unfolded before us. Below us, a valley of gemstone-colored trees dotted a bucolic countryside of peaceful meadows, quiet country lanes and quaint little villages. As we rounded each corner, the wonders of nature simply unfolded more and more beauty for our eyes to record (and our camera!) Until this month, I simply never knew how lovely a tree, soon to be a skeleton of bare limbs, could be. Beside the roadways, wildlife stopped and watched the funny humans celebrating nature with oohs and ahs. I think this deer just couldn't figure out what we were so excited about.
We met a couple who visit family in North Carolina yearly and have attempted numerous times to make the trip at the peak of color. They were delighted that this time, they had done just that. At a lodge, called Peaks of Otter Lodge, we stopped for the night. This peaceful retreat sports a lake for fishing, and rooms with no television and no phone. Perfect for reflecting on the finer things in life. Fellow diners in their restaurant were intriqued to find an albino skunk foraging along the shoreline below. Then, when we retired to our room, we opened the door to the balcony. Outside, in the distance, we could hear the water lapping along the shore. And directly below, three large does begged for dinner. Some folks feel that feeding wildlife is bad for the ecosystem, but I couldn't resist. I hurried to the truck and extracted a bag of organic granny smith apples I had tucked behind the seat. When I returned, the deer were waiting expectantly, with eyes upturned. Obviously this was the most nutritious meal those deer had been offered off that balcony. They crunched contentedly until every last one of the green jewels had been devoured and waited patiently for more. We bid goodnight and reluctantly closed the door on our unexpected visitors. Then after a peaceful night devoid of outside influence, we awoke to the splendour of another day on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Each bend in the road was an adventure, each sight more breathtaking than the last. We halted once for a half dozen turkeys crossing the road, busily foraging as they went. Our truck no more a threat than the nearby trees.
A bend in the river revealed another treasuretrove of beauty for our eyes to devour. We stopped once, and again and again for photos until I had to change the disc in my camera to begin on a second thousand shots. You may or may not have visited my blog yet, at Diary of a Baby Boomer but you might like to see a few more of that thousand-plus photos I shot. There's a great shot of a millpond, and a stone bridge that are wonderful! Now, as all good things come to an end, so our meandering through the woods did as well. I'll never forget that once more my husband, Tom, created a magical moment for me to treasure throughout the years. Next year, you might consider this as well. If you're so inclined, you might like to visit our cabin in Pigeon Forge. This three bedroom log cabin sports a fifty mile view over the lights of Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, a seven-mile drive to Gatlinburg, and beautiful sunsets every night. It's only two miles to Dollywood, and Pigeon Forge is full of great outlet stores. Don't miss it, and be sure to see the absolutely stunning fall foliage when it comes time next Autumn.
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