Clouds on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Heavenly!

We rode south on the Parkway and at 8 in the morning, there is no one on the road. It was mile upon mile of breathtaking beauty.

I shot over 250 pictures today on the Harley. Everywhere I looked was something beautiful to capture.

Cruso, North Carolina

We rode up along the lazy but lovely Pigeon River up Hwy 276 South to the Parkway and drove by this beautiful Memorial Day remembrance in the small town of Cruso, North Carolina, honoring the fallen veterans. I did a search online to find out more about this display. I found nothing. So here is a big, creative tribute as silent as the gentle wind.


Our small communities give as much, if not more, to ensure our freedom without fanfare, with heart.

Remembering Veterans on Memorial Day

"The true art of memory is the art of attention."
 ~ Samuel Johnson

Case Cove Road

Another full day of riding. Starting early and soaking in the perfect day...

As we headed out at 7:38 AM, I wrote on Twitter, "Out the door. Wave at me. Say hi. I'm the one with the pink helmet that says 'aloha.'" I felt so good writing that, feeling very blessed.

I took this photograph of an area very near to our home. Just before you enter this grove, you can see downtown Asheville off in the distance. It is stunning, sitting there close enough to see. In the past I have seen wild turkeys alongside the road here, next to the forest.

Case Cove Road, Candler, North Carolina

"Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees."

~ Karle Wilson Baker

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Creativity on the Harley

Bracelets in oil colors

"The creative process must be explored… 

as the expression of the normal people 

in the act of actualizing themselves."

 ~ Rollo May

Great thing about riding the Harley. Creative opportunities, ideas abound.

Lunch at Laurel Park

Stop for Lunch

 We rode up to Unicoi, Tennessee and had a relaxing lunch near a stream. We thought it might be crowded because it was Memorial Day weekend, but we were wrong. Virtually no one but us... and the bugs were there...

Relaxing Stream

Steven found a hot sour pickle at a convenience store. He said even that pickle was a bit much for him. (Which is amazing!)

I do not remember this stream being this dry the last time we rode through here.

Yum!

Steven Sits Under the Tall Trees

Bridge Over Stream Leads to Forest

Rich Laurel Wildlife Area

East of Hot Springs, North Carolina, here we are on Highway 25, heading north toward the Tennessee border.

We are entering the Rich Laurel Wildlife Area in Madison County. Spectacular!

Near Rich Laurel Wildlife Area, Hot Springs, NC

The sun is looking mighty fine. As are the trees and the spectacular bends in the road...

Magnificent ride, with virtually no one on the road.


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Two Spirits

Traveling north on I-26 in the early morning sunlight, I couldn't resist taking a photo of our shadow, against the white road line. Two spirits, riding, together...

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

 ~ Helen Keller

Early Morning Mo's Way

Another early start. This morning, right after the sunrise, we packed sandwiches on the bike and headed out.

Mo's Way Morning

The colors of early sunlight are spectacular. Today there were a haze in the cove, but that made the photographs of the road we live on that much more spectacular.

We agree, this is the best time of day to be out on the road. Early.

And So We Begin...

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake."

 ~ Marie Beynon Ray

Downtown Asheville

Down Mo's Way

Saturday morning, Memorial Day weekend.
We are two early birds, flying out the door, down the mountain, by 8:30.

A beautiful Asheville morning.

Everyone in the neighborhood seems to still be asleep as we go roaring by.

Off our haven, down Mo's Way. The sky opens up with glory blue, green, gold. Feels great.

Downtown Asheville, Vance Monument in the Distance

"Outside the open window the morning air is all awash with angels.
Love calls us to things of this world."
 ~ Richard Wilbur

Courthouse Square

Sun Bathes Pack Square

We ride through downtown, slowly, soaking in the ambiance. The sun shining. The rare sight of virtually no one walking the streets or on the road.


Nicknamed the "Paris of the South," Asheville is a charming cosmopolitan Mecca of artists and creativity. Art Deco buildings and the skyline framed by the Smoky Mountains.


Great New York Times article, 36 Hours in Asheville, N.C.
Daily Celebration on Asheville's famous Biltmore Estate.

Shine

Bathe the bike. Watch her shine...

Now all we have to do is ride her. Hopefully soon.

"Anticipation was the soul of enjoyment."
 ~ Elizabeth Gaskell

Grandfather Mountain, Hwy 221

Rest Area near Grandfather Mountain, NC

Splendid late afternoon ride on our Road Glide to Jefferson, North Carolina. We took Highway 221 and snaked under the parkway around Linville Gorge and Grandfather Mountain. The rock formations, majestic trees, and streams were beautiful. Great curves and bends. No traffic. Heaven before dusk.

We tried to outrun the rain, but failed. And the cold cut into us, freezing our fingers. (Why did I leave my shellaclava at home?)

Dynamic Duo

Catching the sunrise on the road

Lush spring greens & stream up ahead!

Fragrant honey suckle filled the air and colorful rhododendron filled our eyes. Everywhere you looked, splendor.

The canopy of trees was green, alive, florescence popping, impossible to capture the true beauty with my camera.

What a wonderful surprise and a splendid ride. We shall return.

More on Grandfather Mountain: Wonders Never Cease

Full Moon

Full moon rising

Tunnel magic

Beautiful full moon, the perfect time for an early dinner and evening ride. Up on the Parkway, the sky was heavenly. I just couldn't take my eyes off that super moon.

Sunset Ride

Shooting over Steven's shoulder. (Me in the mirror)

With Steven wearing his brand new white "spaceman" helmet, we finally made it out last evening riding through Hominy Valley toward Pisgah while the sun set.

It was a stunning ride, the clouds and dancing light were breath-taking. So much to capture and I feel my camera can't capture it all. But I can feel it in my heart.

Vivid sunset colors

I kept pressing the shutter release, trying to catch the colors, anticipating the next bend. How wonderful it is that with a digital camera you can keep taking pictures to your heart's delight.

The rhododendrons bloom in torrents of pinks, reds, and purple. Inspirations. Delight.

This sunset ride was a rocking lull-bye. Embracing the curves, not the speed. Letting the sky and earth perform. The perfect balm to ease the stress and cares of daily life.

"My new helmet has reflection of the trees," said Steven