Leaf Looking on the Blue Ridge Parkway
October 2008
Our friends, Rick and
Sissie Shelton, invited
us to visit with them
while they were
camping at Linville
Falls.
That's Rick's brother, Roy,
in the center.  The tales
were starting to get pretty
tall by now.
This is a very nice
campground any time
of year, but the colors
really enhanced the
atmosphere.
Rick cooked a feast of
steak and potatoes.  
None of us left the table
hungry!
A summary of three trips on the parkway
Martha checks to
make sure that Rick
really knew what he
was doing.  HE DID!
Nothing like a great
meal with even
better company.
We decided to go back
again later the next
week.  Our first stop
was the new BRP
Destination Center.
The colors were
starting to come on
strong at the lower
elevations.
The yellows were
dominate at this
time.
We went back for more
a few days later, and the
colors were magnificent.
The Linville River
flow was exceptional
considering the
drought conditions
this summer.
This scene was a few
miles south of
Grandfather Mountain.
The colors at this elevation were
near their peak.
Unfortunately, heavy
cloud cover draped over
Grandfather and cost us
some great picture
opportunities.
The higher elevation
and some cool wind
gave Martha a chance
to wear her Duke jacket.
The colors were
prime at the Linn
Cove Visitor Center.
It was thrilling to walk the easy trail
under the Linn Cove Viaduct.  This
is truly an engineering marvel.
We have never lost our
fascination for driving
on this mountainside
bridge.
We have seen this
scene many times in
promotional photos.
It was even better to
see it with our own
eyes.
The parkway is
indeed a national
treasure.
Our next stop was the
Moses Cone mansion
near Blowing Rock.  
Lots of picture
opportunities here.
Not bad for a little
summer place in the
mountains.  Martha
admires the view
from the front porch.
What a view to admire!
But not necessarily
in every direction.
Many area craftspeople
were there displaying
their work.
It was hard not to
bring some of these
home.
The Maple trees
were strutting their
stuff at the Cone
estate.
Our next stop was the
Holy Trinity Episcopal
Church at Glendale
Springs to see the
famous frescoes by
Ben Long
This masterpiece
depicting the Last
Supper is in the
simplest of church
buildings.
Not all wrong turns are
bad.  We made an
unintentional side trip
in Ashe County, but
were treated with
some great views of
the massive Christmas
Tree farms located
there.
St. Mary's Episcopal
Church in West Jefferson
is the other site of Ben
Long's frescoes.  Another
beautiful, yet simple and
inviting church.
The smaller frescoes
depicting Mary and
John the Baptist were
the first ones
completed by Long.
The fresco depicting
the crucifixion and
risen spirit of Jesus
is awesome and
inspirational.
The frescoes are the
main attractions, but
there are other artistic
works at this church.
There are inspirational
paintings and other art
work by Ben Long's
students in addition to
the stained glass
windows.
For more information about the
churches at Glendale Springs and
West Jefferson, click on the links
below.