Rough Ridge is one of the popular hikes with a road side parking in the beautiful Blue Ridge parkway (Milepost 302.8 in North Carolina). The boardwalk (to protect the fragile vegetation) to the top crosses several large boulders that enable one to fall back and relax. The walk up (480 ft elevation from parking) provides spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct, with distant views into the Piedmont.
This is a great spot to be during fall – when the colors burst afar or in spring – when the rhododendrons bloom abound or just anytime of the year to laze around and soak in the view :)
Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper
Rough Ridge Trail Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA
Do things that nourishes your soul – Be it hitting that trail for a hike Or taking a walk with your best company Or capturing that fleeting moment with nature Or just be at peace and paint out the same. Every once in a while – do things that nourishes your soul.
This was inspired by one such fleeting moment, on a misty morning, by the lovely Linville gorge wilderness.
Note : Curious on how this particular art was made ? check out the article on Artography.
Watercolor
Linville Gorge Wilderness Marion, North Carolina, USA
Such is Life – know when to fall, know when to roll know when to flow & when to calm.
For those not aware – this is Eastatoe falls. This literally sits in the backyard of a lovely little home, bordering South & North Carolina. Grateful for people who share their treasures with one and all. Based on that, I like to go with the name The Backyard falls :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 13 mm : f22 : 3.0 sec
A painting to me is primarily a verb, not a noun, an event first and only secondarily an image.
– Elaine de Kooning
This week’s art is from a short lived, but dynamic morning sunrise from Smokies. After checking out the stars, playing with some light painting in the night and getting some sleep in the car, we decided to head out of Smokies early in the morning. As we were driving out, just around the corner, we were treated to a lovely view and below is what it inspired :) How do you like it !?
Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry, hence its name. Unfortunately no one told this is true, only when the flow is low. That particular day we got pretty wet – with the spotty rains and more so from the spray of the falls. Not that we were complaining, but it would have been good to know !
With the rain, I was not shooting much and this particular view felt cliche – but the hiker in the red jacket (yeah that tiny red fleck you can see, in the center of the frame, about to hike behind the falls) made all the difference and I couldn’t resit but go for the click :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10 sec
Dry Falls Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina, USA
Soco falls is a beautiful, double waterfall on the edge of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located near Maggie Valley. Its one among the most lovely waterfalls, by the Blue Ridge parkway – just 1.5 miles south of Soco Gap @ Milepost 455.7. Look for the small roadside parking area on the left of the road. It is easy to miss, since there is just one tiny sign.
This view requires a short hike. It is not a cake walk, but not super hard either. You need to be careful as it is steep and a bit slippery, especially when wet. But the adventure is well worth the view, wouldn’t you agree :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 160 : 18 mm : f11 : 8.0 sec
The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area lies entirely within the Pisgah National Forest. Sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, it is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. Given the terrain, it is also an outdoor paradise.
This is from the Chimney view overlook that provides a glimpse of Linville falls. The falls view is good, but one can’t miss this lovely view behind, especially with the lovely fall colors. Standing at the edge, the sheer depth of the Gorge was scary and at the same time exhilarating :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 500 : 25 mm : f11.0 : 15 sec
Chimney View, Linville Falls Trail Marion, North Carolina, USA
The Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other. It provides a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region one of a kind.
Among the uncountable vistas and views, this iconic view of the bridge also stands out, more so after learning about the engineering behind it (below is from the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center).
A viaduct is a long bridge with a series of spans supported on piers. The Linn Cove Viaduct is 1243 feet long and 35 feet wide. This signature view of “S” curve rests upon seven vertical piers spaced at 180 feet.
Linn Cove Viaduct is the first in the US to incorporate progressive placement of sections (each of the 153 precast sessions weighing 10,000 lbs). What this means is that the bridge is built upon itself. Workmen, materials and machines move back and fourth on the completed bridge to places each successive section. Little or no damage is caused to the landscape over which the viaduct is being constructed.
Grandfather Mountain is rugged and unyielding with active plant and animal communities throughout. Traditional road and bridge construction involving heavy equipment, earth moving, access roads and large construction crews would have adversely affected this fragile eco system for years to come.
Interestingly the lead designer of the roadway, Stanley Abbott, was a landscape architect, not an engineer and it shows. This signature view of the Linn Cove Viaduct was shot from a not so prominent spot. The early morning sun lit up the fall foliage ablaze. The biker racing up the parkway added to the shot :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 30 mm : f4.0 : 1/180 sec
Not everyone is lucky to have a lovely waterfall in their backyard (literally), And only some are magnanimous to open their home and lawns (again literally) to allow strangers to come in and enjoy the same. As for myself, am just grateful to be able to visit / capture such spots and share with u all :)
This beautiful waterfalls – Eastatoe – is from the backyard of a lovely neighborhood, by the border of South & North Carolina. Although there are no signs along the road, the owners do welcome visitors, to share their treasure. The drizzling rain and floating fog, added a magical mood to the scene.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f8.0 : 20 sec
You can make all the plans, but you never know what is in store.
After a lot of deliberate planning, decided to head out to the Jumping Off Rock. Starting off with delayed rental, to the not so dynamic sunset after the long and bumpy drive, the day just fizzled out. The next day when trying to chase waterfalls, the rain decided to chase us. But luckily along with rain – the mist, rolling fog and views like this – just by the road saved the day. Here it is – a view just by the roadside, from Carolina Mountains :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 160 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/90 sec
Looking Glass Waterfall is one of the best and easiest accessible waterfall in Pisgah Forest. And did I say there is no admission fee and its always open. The name "Looking Glass" comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Looking Glass Creek, which flows past the rock, is also named for the impressive natural structure.
With a roadside pull off, an overlook and steps to the bottom, this is definitely a great place to stop and enjoy nature’s power. The falls cascade into a river below. Steps lead down to the falls for a close-up view. Once you are there, definitely venture onto the rocks by the side of the stream. On a warm day, some wading and swim underneath the falling water would be great.
If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? – Chief Seattle
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100: 18 mm : f8.0 : 10 sec
Looking Glass Waterfall, Pisgah Forest Brevard, North Carolina, USA
This past weekend, got a chance to drive by Smokies. As with last minute plans, needed a few creative ideas to make it happen. One of them was to just drive around and sleep in the car as needed. One of the huge advantage of car camping, is that you are always just a door away from a night full of stars or floating in a mystic fog or waking up to lovely view like this.
After trying out some fun light experiments at the Clingmans dome, we decided to head out to NewFound Gap to catch some sleep. The intent was to be able to crash till twilight and be able to enjoy the sunrise from near a view point. But as it is aptly called – Smokies – the view was pretty covered with fog and overcast.
After some quick gamble, decided to see if we would have a better luck driving around. As we pulled out of the parking lot and within the next turns, we were greeted with this scene. The sun was just rising behind the mountains lighting up the horizon :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 250: 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/30 sec
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