Leaf rain

Several mornings recently, we awoke to the sound of a light pattering of rain on our roof.  Turns out it is just a lot of leaves falling and sounds like rain hitting our motorhome roof. The colors of fall are "washing over" us "as we speak". Every day is a new look, every trip down the mountain into town is a surprise at what has changed overnite. 
Last year at this time, you may remember, we were still in Maine, and had experienced the same "washed over" effect. I believe that is the best way to experience the changing of the colors.. to stay still and let them come to you.  Right now is the peak season here in the Western North Carolina mountains for "leaf peepers", and the place is packed with tourists.

We have been packing in as much adventure as we can stand.  We actually hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It was so exhilarating, and so beautiful. I've always thought it sounded so intriguing, but never thought I'd ever be "on it".  You know it stretches from Georgia to Maine, and covers some 1800 plus miles, almost all mountains.
This photo is a typical view of the trail as it winds around, up and over the hills.  It is marked with white tree blazes every few hundred yards.

 

 

 

This last photo is of our group of five walking up the road to the very top of the ridge where the trail crosses the gravel road. We took a left, and hiked (some of us) about 1.5 miles to an old fire lookout tower with a 360 degree view of the surrounding country side and mountains.  Actually, two of us didn't make it the whole way (I'll never say which two), but just being "on The Trail" was enough.  The elevation gain for the 1.5 miles was 700'...... so, needless to say, it wasn't classified as "easy" or "moderate".

The road crossing the ridge at that point is known as Teleco Gap.  You can see the power transmission lines going over the mountain ..... it's the lowest point on that mountain.

 

more later, Marilyn