My wife and I were going over to Waynesville, NC on Thursday to pick up a granddaughter who had been spending a few days with her best friend from Papua New Guinea. Being the fall color season, we wanted to take some time for some photographs in the mountains, so we left early, before 7 AM. It turned out that sunrise was just as we were getting to Lake Ocoee (also known as Parksville Lake), and the cool morning brought fog and mist with it. We also had time to take brief drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the daytrip to Waynesville.
Sunrise over Lake Ocoee
At our second stop along the lake we discovered that the Clematis was in seed, which is nearly as attractive as the blossom. I’m not sure which species this is, but it and another species were quite abundant throughout the trip.
Clematis along Lake Ocoee
Lake Ocoee has a dramatic backdrop in Big Frog Mountain, at 4200′ the tallest peak in southeast Tennessee.
Sunrise over Lake Ocoee with Big Frog Mountain in the background
A little further up the lake we stopped at the boat ramp and I took this low-angle shot of Big Frog Mountain in the background.
Sunrise over Lake Ocoee with Big Frog Mountain in the background
Just before entering the Ocoee River Gorge we pulled over to look back west down the lake. Due to some environmental problems many years ago, silt from upstream has nearly filled this end of the lake, and this area is above water during the winter draw-down. Someone has planted cypress trees in the seasonally submerged areas.
Looking west from the east end of Lake Ocoee at sunrise.
This is the time of year for Asters, and the Ocoee River Gorge (and really, the whole distance to Waynesville) had its share of purple asters.
Purple Asters along the Ocoee River
My wife spotted a small patch of the lovely Agalinis hidden between patches of purple Asters. I think these are probably Agalinis purpurea.
Agalinis along the Ocoee River
We finally left the Ocoee area, and hurried on through the Nantahala Gorge and on to Waynesville. We had about 30 minutes to spare, so we took a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trees weren’t the only colorful sights along the way.
Grass in Fall Color
Of course, especially at 4,000′ and up, the color of the trees made us wish we had more time for a longer drive on the Parkway.
Fall Colors Near Waynesville
Wow, these are gorgeous Gerry! Such beautiful colors and fowers and the scenery is wonderful.
Thank you very much, Mia. Cindy and I were pretty excited that the conditions were just right when we arrived at Lake Ocoee.
gcw
These are beautiful… I just found this web site today and added it to my front screen. My mother was just diagnosed with degenerative brain disease last week, doctors will not say much of anything right now. In the last couple of weeks I have truely come to know her love for the outdoors, I have witnessed all my life. We have spent a lot of time over these past couple of weeks… One thing that has really caught my eye are wildflowers. I have been going to Birdsong Nature Center here these past couple of weeks just to get a breath of fresh air so to speak and ease my mind of loosing her and my Dad passing in 2008 has really made me look at life in a whole new light. Anyway not sure why I am expressing this only to really tell you that these pictures gave me that breathe of fresh air just moments ago. Thank you!!!
Heidi – It is a blessing to me that you were blessed by these photos. I pray that the God of all Comfort will walk with you during this difficult time for you.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 1 Corinthians 1:3-5 (ESV)
gcw