Autumn in the Foothills
Blue Ridge Mountains
Beautiful End of the Road
Countryside Morning
I’m really not sure why I was motivated recently to go buy gas for one of our cars before I ate breakfast, but I’m glad I did. The sky was clear and because of recent warmer than usual weather there was a lot of ground fog about. I remembered there was a dead end road behind the gas station where I was going. I’d driven down that road before and because of the morning fog, my mind envisioned possible photo compositions. After buying gas, I drove down that dead end road and this is what I saw.
Going past the barn I drove to the end of the road and looked up toward the low hills through a pathway in the brush that was inviting. However I decided just to record the scene and return home for a waiting breakfast, happy I’d been so motivated so early in the day.
Exploring a Rural Life
Living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has many advantages. Most important for me is it’s less populated and as such affords many opportunities to explore back roads and woods. Life is simple here compared to urban settings, and I often discover small farm “settlements” such as that in this photo. 
Given this area of Virginia and North Carolina was once prime tobacco growing and harvesting territory, along my way down narrow roads I discover numerous abandoned tobacco drying sheds.
Scenic December Views
The outside late December temperature in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in SW Virginia was in the 60’s F when I made these photos as the sun was lowering on the horizon. What was special for me was the calm surface of Philpott Lake which made for great reflections.
End of Summer
Summer scenes along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia will soon change in color. I’ll miss the lush greens of Summer but am looking forward to Autumn hues.
Rocky Outcrops
These “rocky” photos were made about 3000 feet in elevation along a portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I liked the wild flowers growing nearby.
Through the Trees
At 3000 feet elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, I recently stopped at a popular scenic view … Lover’s Leap.
The legend (per Virginia.org): “In the 1600’s, Indians inhabited the Blue Ridge Mountains. White settlers started arriving and began clearing land to farm. Conflict arose between the Indians and the settlers. Legend has it that the son of a settler saw the twinkle in the eyes of the Chief’s daughter, Morning Flower, and was immediately love-struck. The couple began to meet secretly and their love continued to grow. The young man and Indian maiden were threatened and shunned. With the beautiful rock and wildflowers as their backdrop, they jumped into the wild blue yonder ensuring they would be together forever. As you gaze out at Lover’s Leap, you can still see the evidence of their love in the beautiful view and hear them whisper in the cool evening breezes.”
Mountain Landscapes
Here’s one of the most visited and photographed attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Mabry Mill.
And, here are several landscapes which I tend to go back to each time I drive up there from home … 45 minutes away. I’m a big believer of finding new compositions in places I have visited many times.
