Blue Ridge Mountains

Every now and then, the Wigster likes to get away from it all. And even more frequently, 'it all' wants the Wigged One to go away. When the stars align and both parties to this transaction are in agreement, travel happens. And so it was this weekend.

Mrs. Wiggy and I drove west, out to the Blue Ridge Mountains - specifically, the Boone and Blowing Rock areas. We went with another couple, and it was great. I'm going to post some photos, but first, I have to frighten you with this Santa Doll I found in a Boone, NC antique shop...



Pretty cool, huh? That Santa will be a main character in my dreams for some time to come, I can tell you that. Like Chucky playing Santa. Tell me, what kid could have had that particular stuffed Santa toy and still have grown up and not become and axe-murderer? If I had possessed such a doll growing up, I'd be even more messed up than I already am.

This is a Boone, North Carolina fireman. You might notice he is prepared - sitting on his fire truck, you can't be much more ready than that. I doubt a fire would have much of a chance in Boone.



I thought this was kind of fun. See, Boone is sort of a 'hippy' college town, right. Typical hippy stuff, peace love dope and so on. I enjoyed the irony here. A large hippy-oriented mural on a building, but the owner is driving a large SUV and oh, by the way - he'll tow your hippy ass if you park in his spot. Hehehehe.



Now, Linville Falls is one seriously cool place. I had to go see it this year. Last year, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway were closed due to hurricane damage, and Mrs. Wiggy and I went there anyway when the leaves were turning. I hiked down this trail from hell to the bottom of a gorge where Linville Falls is supposed to be - and there was a Forest Service sign saying that the falls were closed. How do you close a waterfall? Is there a switch somewhere? So I had to climb back up again, with camera, tripod, and etc in hand, sweating and cursing, and without having seen the damned falls. So this year - it was a quest.

Linville Falls

So without any further ado - have a shot of water, straight up, without chaser. Hope you like these!






Now here's a shot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or they may be the Great Smoky Mountains. In any case, they're cool.



Here's a shot of the Blue Ridge Parkway as it rounds the edge of a mountain.



And another of the road itself.



I have to take a moment here and tell you - if you've never been on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you're missing out on something incredible. This winding two-lane road travels from Virginia down through North Carolina, hugging the western edge of the two states at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 469 miles long, and it is 70 years old - it was built by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. You can drive the whole thing, just enjoying the road, or you can pick a stretch and examine everything there. I believe you could come back every year for vacation and spend your whole vacation on it and never get bored. That's pretty amazing, isn't it?

The Blue Ridge Parkway is stunningly beautiful, no matter what the time of year. In the fall, it comes alive with leaves changing so wonderfully it will make a believer out of you. But it is beautiful any time of year. There are hundreds of places to pull over and get out and be amazed - Linville Falls was just ONE stop on the Parkway. You can also pull your vehicle over just about any place you like, you don't have to even look for a pull-out.

So that's my pitch for the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you haven't ever been, you need to put it on your list of 'Things to Do Before I Die'.

Anyway, the rest of these shots are some flowers and some other stuff. I took them all in Blowing Rock, NC. They have a legend there. It involves a rock. Also lots of shopping.

I don't know why I like flowers so much, but here you go...










So that's the story. Enjoy!

Stay Coolio,

Wiggy