Re: Why I love the Southern Appalachian Mountains

[Guest guest]

Aah, children ... I wish you could see what I'm seeing right now ... deep

purple mountains to the east, topped by blue sky, and above that violet

where the recently-sun is still reflecting up high. A fat moon is shining

just to the south of Mount , tallest mountain east of the

Mississippi River (6,680 feet) ... the trees are still fully leafed, but

just beginning to change to their fall coats ... the wind has died and

everything just seems suspended, awaiting darkness. The cicadas are singing

.... there's not a cloud in the sky. We had record low temperatures last

night because the storm system further to the east (rotating

counter-clockwise) pulled cold air down from the north. (It was 29 degrees

when I awoke this morning.)

Tthe sky to the west, where the sun has just set, is the color of French

vanilla ice cream. I picture the noctournal creatures awakening, stretching,

climbing out of their little jammies and getting ready to enjoy the

darkness.

I just had to share ... I have an ongoing love affair with this place, lying

between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail. If you haven't

visited it, I would recommend a trip through here, especially in the months

of May and June (to see the wildflowers and the white water and waterfalls

at their height), or around October 15-20, to witness spectacular fall

foliage.

Susie