Meet Goldie, the sweet Golden Retriever. She loves the beach because she gets to run, splash in the water and meet lots of new friends. Everybody loves Goldie.
It was pouring rain when I left the house to drive to Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. But when I arrived at the Mill, it was only slightly misty. The autumn colors and the light was phenomenal and well worth the trip in the rain!
Last autumn, I spent the morning walking around Abbott Lake at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The Lodge is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The wind was calm and the lake was motionless, creating a perfect reflection of the fall colors.
Apple Orchard Mountain is on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The Parkway reaches its highest elevation in Virginia here - 3,950 feet (1,203 meters). Wind, ice and snow of raging winter storms have pruned this mountaintop forest, giving it an "old apple orchard" appearance. This "orchard" consists primarily of gnarled lichen-covered Northern Red Oak.
I was here in late March. No snow in the valley, but snow at this elevation, and very windy. The view was exhilarating! It was a treat to see the snow. The Parkway gates are generally closed during the winter because of snow and ice in the higher elevations.