North Carolina Fall Colors

Leaves on the trail at Elk Knob State Park

Leaves on the trail at Elk Knob State Park

During our all too short North Carolina vacation in the second half of October, 2015, we decided to take a weekend trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains with David and Amelia. Up to a couple of days before we were due to leave, we considered canceling the excursion as the weather forecast called for nothing but rain. As it turned out, we got no rain at all, but when we reached the Blue Ridge Parkway, we were met by very dense fog. Amelia drove us through the pea soup safely and expertly, and by the time we arrived in Blowing Rock, visibility had improved a little bit. I started taking pictures of trees behind the Village Inn while David chose a different subject.

After a tasty and copious lunch in Blowing Rock, Amelia drove us to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. We walked through lovely woods down to Bass Lake; even though the weather was still nothing to write home about, the fog had started to lift. After we got to the lake, David and Amelia suggested that they go back up to get the car to give us a chance to walk around the lake, an offer we gratefully accepted. When we got back to Blowing Rock, no one was very hungry, so we stopped at a local supermarket and bought a bottle of wine and some nibbles we could all have in the Village Inn community room which, as it turned out, we had all to ourselves.

The next day, we went to Elk Knob State Park in Todd, had lunch in Boone, and stopped at Thunder Hill Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unlike the day before, we could actually see something and enjoy the view. That evening, Amelia got us back to Chapel Hill in plenty of time to start looking at some of our photographs, many of which are posted on this page. We had a wonderful time!

Click on any image to see a larger (2100 x 1400 pixel) version!

Blowing Rock


The little brook behind the Village Inn of Blowing Rock View from our hotel

The little brook behind the Village Inn of Blowing Rock

View from our hotel


Mostly red with a little yellow Mostly yellow with a little red

Mostly red with a little yellow

Mostly yellow with a little red


On the hotel terrace The pond in front of the Village Inn in the fog

On the hotel terrace

The pond in front of the Village Inn in the fog


One can buy French antiques in Blowing Rock! The Martin House features High Country Candles

One can buy French antiques in Blowing Rock!

The Martin House features High Country Candles


Blowing Rock City Park in the fog The fog is muting the colors

Blowing Rock City Park in the fog

The fog is muting the colors


Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Bass Lake


Arriving at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park The Moses Cone Manor

Arriving at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

The Moses Cone Manor


Even though the fog is still pretty dense... ...one can see the colorful leaves.

Even though the fog is still pretty dense...

...one can see the colorful leaves.


Walking down to Bass Lake Walking down to Bass Lake

Walking down to Bass Lake

Walking down to Bass Lake


Every once in a while, one is treated to color bursts We covered the last short bit by walking down the access road

Every once in a while, one is treated to color bursts

We covered the last short bit by walking down the access road


We have arrived at the lake Horseback riding is allowed on most trails

We have arrived at the lake

Horseback riding is allowed on most trails


The walk around the lake is just under one mile The Moses Cone Manor seen from the lake

The walk around the lake is just under one mile

The Moses Cone Manor seen from the lake


Even on this overcast day the fall colors are lovely Some trees are completely barren already

Even on this overcast day the fall colors are lovely

Some trees are completely barren already


On the other side of the lake Some leaves are still hanging on...

On the other side of the lake

Some leaves are still hanging on...


Elk Knob State Park


At the Elk Knob State Park Most of the leaves are on the ground already

At the Elk Knob State Park

Most of the leaves are on the ground already


Some color can still be found After climbing for one mile, we reached an observation point

Some color can still be found

After climbing for one mile, we reached an observation point


Heading back down The trails are very nicely maintained

Heading back down

The trails are very nicely maintained


Thunder Hill Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway


The Blue Ridge Parkway The view to the north

The Blue Ridge Parkway

The view to the north


The view to the south A closer look

The view to the south

A closer look


A variety of colors

A variety of colors

The photos on this page were taken on October 24 and 25, 2015.
They and a few other images may also be viewed in a gallery.




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