The Blue Ridge Parkway has been on my photographic bucket list for many years, and a few weeks ago, I was able to explore Virginia and North Carolina in hunt of some alluring autumn photos.
If you are looking for a fun road trip with constant visual delight, then this is a must for you. As you wind through the mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the splashs of fall colors keep coming at you.
The only difficulty (as a photographer) is that it is hard to stop if you see something to capture. You are forced to comply with scenic overlooks and strategic spots, but I must tell you, those don't disappoint either.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is America's longest linear park that spans 469 miles. We were able to cover milepost 176 to 340 in three packed days.
America's beloved Mabry Mill in Virginia.
The Mabry Mill in Virginia is one of the most photographed places in the United States. While that is certainly a daunting challenge to create something that stands out from the flood of images, the conditions certainly helped me in my mission. The drizzly rain gave the scene soft atmosphere and saturated colors. No wind aided in the beautiful glass reflection in the pond.
The number of people passing by will test the extremes in patience, but I wasn't going to fail.
The conditions were serene with soft light and drizzle in the air. I scampered around Little Glade Mill Pond, drenching my improper footwear. It was still like glass until the drizzle turned into rain drops. It added just what I needed to the photograph.
I wandered along the path in the forest when I noticed this scene that had to be captured.
Price Lake is a dreamy autumn scene.
Price Lake, a couple of weeks before this moment, was completely dry due to a problem with a dam failure. It was truly a damn failure. Our stay at Blowing Rock, North Carolina was the centerpoint of everything we had planned, largely because of beautiful Price Lake and all of the opportunites it had for adventure and great pictures of course.
I had heard this sad news about the drained lake just a month before our departure and was ready to write this photographic haven off. We drove past in the darkness the first night, but on my way back the next morning, you could probably gather how delighted I was to discover this amazing scene right in front of me. Price Lake was full as if nothing had happened. I was intrigued and asked some locals about the story. They said that a week-long rain basically filled it back up after they repaired the dam. Right before I arrived. Damn lucky!
I came back to this lake many times during this trip, but this first time was the luckiest, with the lake giving a perfect mirror to the amazing autumn colors. The air was crisp during this morning, and everything was still. There was not a cloud in the sky which added to the "clean fresh air" feeling. Strangely, a single contrail right above me can be seen in the reflection that makes the tree limb seem to mysteriously reach further into the lake.
Chestoa View was on my must-sees, and I knew I had to get there early in the morning. After driving through heavy fog and windy roads in the dark for what seemed like forever, I was rewarded with this amazing sunrise. And a bird song.
The late afternoon light at Sims Pond was pouring onto the scene, unveiling the amazing fall foliage. The trees leaned to mourn the fallen.
Crabtree Falls in North Carolina was on the top of my list for photographic destinations. My family put on the hiking shoes and miles later, we were rewarded with this beautiful scene.
Price Lake in North Carolina was by far my favorite place.
Right place. Right time. RIGHT LENS.
As a group of us sat in awe of Price Lake and the fall foliage, we noticed geese way off in the distance, barely visible to the naked eye. I took out my telephoto lens and got the shot. Those around me wanted to see what I had captured and yes, they were jealous. You only need a few moments to make buying an expensive lens worthwhile, and this was certainly one of them. There's no way this picture would have been possible otherwise.
The Blue Ridge Parkway was certainly on my bucket list, but that box is only half-checked. After realizing that we still have 300 miles to cover, I obviously have some unfinished business.
