We enjoyed the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park in Montana. As we road up and up, it truly felt like we would be able to reach the sun. I had this same experience as we were driving up the side of a mountain toward mile marker zero on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia – except this time we were driving into the clouds.
On our journey south, we turned east into West Virginia towards Virginia and the beginning of the Parkway that runs through Virginia and North Carolina. What I was seeing around me was so very beautiful in the rain and fog but I knew these conditions are challenging for photography. Just before we left home I read a post by professional landscape photographer Rick Braveheart giving tips on taking photos in rainy, cloudy, foggy conditions. A little knowledge can give me a large amount of confidence so I became excited about capturing the soul of these mountains.
When I got out of the car at the visitor’s center the wind was whipping the drizzle against my face. I started thinking about how the people who have inhabited this region for thousands of years endured living in these conditions, with fewer creature comforts than I enjoy.
The smell of soggy leaves and moist soil touched a spacial place in my soul. I took in the deepened fall colors produced by rain on leaves, and the darkened trunks of forest trees. When possible I ventured out of the car with camera in hand to capture what my heart was seeing.
We were oriented by mile posts, a great map provided by the National Parks Service, and the two guidebooks I had purchased. There were spaces to pull off the road for viewing about every half mile along the first 100 mile stretch of Parkway. I wanted to stop at each.
But I knew I had to be conscious of time because I wanted to do the whole 469 miles. This meant driving past some of the pull-offs, looking for those that held the most promise for learning about the mountains and providing good picture-taking opportunities. The resources I read said to plan on covering 30 miles in an hour (they were right) – so I knew I had many hours ahead of me. What I wished for was a week for each 100 miles – but we don’t like hotel living that well.
We arranged our trip so we started the Parkway on Wednesday and found there were very few cars as we drove up and down and round the curves, following the ridge of the mountain – looking down to the valleys below. We were aiming for the small patch of blue off in the distant sky, hoping for brighter skies. I wanted to experience the mountain views in all types of light.
A New Day: Living Life Almost Gracefully 
We’ve yet to do the Blue Ridge thing, but it’s on my list of must do’s. The photos are glorious.
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I am hoping to return. It really is a beautiful place. Many people do short sections, but what I enjoyed was seeing how different sections of the Parkway change in character.
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For some reason, I feel like the second foggy shot really captures the soul. Or perhaps I’m just in a foggy soulful mood 😉
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I so glad you shared your impression with me. It seemed so for me, too. Maybe because the fog defines the smokey mountains and so many people through thousands of years have traveled them, seeing fog ahead, holding the secrets of these mountains until the last minute when they are reveled..Does that make sense to you, having lived there.
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It wasn’t so foggy where I lived, but the mystery the hills hold is definitely part of the culture. Where you were, I’d say the fog is a beloved feature.
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Beautiful scenery. Pat. “A week for every 100 miles”……..I know exactly what you mean. 🙂
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I think we may swing by there on our way home in the Spring. There were miles and miles of azaleas but they don’t don’t bloom until June and we don’t stay in FL that long. 😦
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Wow…those are just beautiful photos…and as you know I love those old buildings.
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I have more coming, Charles.
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Lovely shots – we are heading to Skyline Drive this weekend. Hope we see lots of color!
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Thanks, Nora. I think you should – happy photography. 😉
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Just gorgeous Pat, I love the mood you captured in these photos. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park is only an hour away from us so we get to enjoy it year round but fall is definitely the best.
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Thanks so much, Chau Wu. Because you know the area it means a lot that you think I captured the mood.
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These are stunning photos but I absolutely love the second to the last one with just the three trees in the foreground and the gorgeous leaves and other trees in the background. Amazing photo.
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Thanks, Judy. There were so many places where the rain-soaked tree trunks stood out against the yellow underbrush and tree tops – but these places were always on a curve where there was no shoulder to pull off. And if JB is driving, by the time I say stop and he thinks about if it is safe, we have passed it for a window shot. I’m glad you liked this one – I do too.
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These pictures are so beautiful! They remind me that I’ve been wanting to drive on that road in the fall, but so far have not yet done so. Every year something else always happens, and this year is no exception.
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I highly recommend it – but go during the week as it got very busy by Friday. Thanks.
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