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Due to some unusual weather conditions this year (that is, late season heat, lack of rain, too much rain), Mother Nature has confused many of the trees and kept them from changing from their soft summer greens to their brilliant fall hues. While the high peaks and ridges usually start changing to red, orange, yellow, purple, and rust beginning in about mid-September, with the valleys and shaded coves down below following in close succession, only now, in early November as recent photos show, is the show really getting colorful. National Weather Service experts predicted a good color season for the Western North Carolina mountains, and it is finally here. There are not a lot of late-season greens amid the bright yellow sugar maples and deep red oaks, and the days are bright and breezy, and the nights are cool and crisp. Color photos for this story were taken on Tuesday, November 8, or Wednesday, November 9.
Higher than normal temperatures for longer than normal time periods convinced mountain trees that summer was still the name of the game, so they held on to their green leaves for an extended period this year. Add to that the fact that they also had to do without their usual abundance of rain � or got too much rain at the wrong time, and there was the formula for a delayed color season. While some feared the trees might go straight from green to brown, with no fall color, that hasn�t proven to be the case, and the trees have been able to go through their normal cycle.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, is far and away the most heavily visited of all the national parks with over 20 million visitors each year. The scenic and serpentine two-lane roadway, operated by the National Park Service, runs along the ridges of the mountains through Western North Carolina all the way into Virginia.
The North Carolina Arboretum, located Milepost 393 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a 426-acre public garden that offers beautifully manicured gardens, quiet forested trails, and cold mountain streams for walkers, hikers, and bikers. It is definitely worth a visit any time of year. The flat-to-gently-rolling terrain is easily managed by most people, and is a great spot � right on the outskirts of Asheville � for a comfortable morning or afternoon outdoors to enjoy the fall weather. The Arboretum even has a small and casual restaurant on site - the menu is fairly limited, but the food is very good � and the view is stunning. From Asheville, the Arboretum is accessible from I-26 to Highway 191 (Brevard Road). For more information on events, hours, and daily schedules, please visit the Arboretum�s web site, www.ncarboretum.org.
The Western North Carolina mountains are a short distance from several major markets, making them a highly sought destination for a weekend getaway. Hotels, as well as the popular bed and breakfast inns, book up early for the color season, so it is a good idea to reserve a room as early as possible to avoid the disappointment of not staying at a favorite place. For more information on places to stay, check out the home page of Asheville.com for a wide variety of inns and hotels in various locations, styles, and price ranges. For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, please visit www.blueridgeparkway.org.
(Image provided by MainStreet Online.)
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The fall color season is one of the most popular times to visit the Western North Carolina region. With the altitude changes along the mountainous topography throughout the region, the color show from the many different native tree species is nothing short of spectacular. The cooler, drier air is invigorating to most, making the fall months among the most popular for outdoor activities, such as walking and hiking. Whether you choose to take it all in while standing at the summit of some far-reaching peak after a five-hour hike or at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the familiar comfort of your family car, the colors of the landscape are the same, the clean, fresh air smells the same, and the warm, bright sunshine feels the same on your face.
It is the ideal way to see the fall colors � high overlooks provide breathtaking vistas of broad-reaching mountains and the valleys below them as they paint themselves the many shades of fall.
There are also many trails along the Parkway and surrounding areas that are readily accessible for those who enjoy hiking. There is nothing quite like a day spent in the forest, either in quiet solitude or with family and friends. Many terrific hiking trail guides are available in all area bookstores, including Malaprop�s in downtown Asheville and Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble in the Asheville Mall area.
