New Long Shoals Road Bridge (NC 146)

"Change is the only constant."
~ Heralclites

Amazing change in the neighborhood!

After over two years of construction, the new Long Shoals Road bridge over the French Broad River was dedicated today to the memory of Sgt. Jeff Hewitt, a Buncombe County sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty in 2004. His wife said Hewitt drove over the old bridge and fished underneath it regularly. ( More on Hewitt)

The incredible 266-foot curved steel plate girder bridge is part of a new $54 million Long Shoals Road (NC 146)/Interstate 26 interchange project which has transformed the area near Biltmore Park.

The traffic flow has improved with the new interchange. Getting on and off I-26 is a breeze and with the bridge and road widened and completed, there is less congestion, less backups. Driving is a breeze.

Hominy Valley Maple

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.”
~ Henry Ellis

Hominy Valley Maple, holding on to (letting go of) its last leaves... Still so very beautiful...

Fall colors, NC-151

“Far away, there in the sunshine, are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they may lead.”
~ Louisa May Alcott

Looking up while riding down from the Parkway on NC-151. Caught the sun... and my heart.

"Punkins 4 Sale"

Incredible clear, blue sky...

And "Punkins 4 Sale" off of Raccoon Road in Waynesville, North Carolina. Charming.

So many sights to capture and remember, all within a half hour drive from our home. I never get tired of riding around Waynesville and soaking up the heavenly, panoramic scenery.

Waynesville is located just outside the Pisgah National Forest between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, about 30 miles southwest of Asheville. Most of the town is between 2500 and 3000 feet above sea level.

Sentelle's for Seafood

We stopped at Sentelle's Market, a small family store in Clyde that we discovered on one of our rides, for some fresh seafood. Great selection of seafood. Sunburst Trout on the grill for dinner tonight. mmm mmm mmm.

Nothing Lacking

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." ~ Lao Tzu

Bull Creek Valley Overlook

Lunch stop north on the Parkway and Steven is happily enjoying this perfect fall day on a secluded bench... "This is some sort of resort we live at," he said.

Could the sky be any more blue? Or the view more delightful?

Here we are getting ready to ride more, after a pleasant pause on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at the Bull Creek Valley Overlook, Milepost 374. (A sweet visitor from Georgia stopped and offered to take our photo.) Another splendid made-to-order day!

Acorns and Leaves

"Life is a magic vase filled to the brim; so made that you cannot dip into it nor draw from it; but it overflows into the hand that drops treasures into it..."~ John Ruskin

My Simple Treasures: Acorns & Leaves. Everywhere I look, a surprise.

Chasing the Sun...

Even in the middle of a forest, I still chase the sun…

Roan Mountain, TN

After a private lunch in the beautiful forest, there is time to contemplate the next road, the next adventure. Together we explore and discover... Surrounded by trees and love.

Lake Tahoma, NC-80

“Life is a series of surprises.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Surprise! Three deer cross NC-80, near Lake Tahoma, just north of Old Fort, North Carolina. The trio scurried into the nearby woods and I nearly missed the shot.

My Pink Helmet

Here is my motorcycle helmet... Steven polished it this morning until it glowed. I guess I chose the pink color as a tribute to breast cancer awareness. Because it's mine and it is special, I added the aloha decal.

The helmet gets a lot of attention, people comment on it all the time. In life, I believe you have to enjoy the total experience. The details have always mattered to me... and I certainly enjoy riding with this little detail atop my head.

If you see me on the road, please wave. (And stay off your cell while driving.)

Harley Roadglide, '07

Roan Mountain Forest

A blue beauty, glistening with the sun through the trees.

Excellent Schoolmasters

Biltmore Lake, Asheville, North Carolina

"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books."
~ John Lubbock

Candler Cows

Every road trip begins with us passing this farm along Reeves Cove, Candler, North Carolina. The farm's wide open field and distinctive red barn are nice to see and fill the heart with good feelings. Today the cows were grazing in the warm sun and one of them stopped to notice us.

NC 151