Lush
The views from the Blue Ridge Parkway are magical. This photograph was captured near the Linn Cove Viaduct on the way to Slopeside.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Full Moon (Almost)
April 11's full moon is called the "Pink Moon." I think March's full moon didn't get the memo.
This photograph was captured on the Blue Ridge Parkway just as the sun had set, leaving behind a brilliant lavender and pink sky that blended right into the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Nature's Frame
When you reach higher altitudes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the trees are always at battle with the wind. The gnarled, wind-swept trees and low brush often make for natural frames of the mountains behind them. If you can catch it at sunset, you're in for a special treat.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Video — 5506 Skybar
5506 Skybar is the highest bar east of the Rockies, perched atop Beech Mountain Resort. The bar is open in the winter for ski season and the summer for mountain biking season.
Today is closing day for the 2017 winter season on Beech Mountain but in two months, everything will be open for the summer festivities!
Come on up to Beech Mountain this summer for mountain disc golf, mountain biking and mile high yoga on the deck of 5506 Skybar!
And of course, don't forget to book your stay at Slopeside, our mountain chalet on Beech Mountain!
Foggy Curve
This curving stretch of asphalt is US-221 in the High Country of North Carolina. This stretch winds it's way around giant granite boulders from Blowing Rock to Linville. Prior to the construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1980s, this was the only way to connect the southern and northern sections of the Parkway. When weather is too harsh on the viaduct, the section is closed and the familiar US-221 detour is re-enabled, turning a 20-minute drive into nearly an hour drive. This photograph was captured from the hills above on the Parkway.
Inner Peaks
This is the Inner Peaks climbing center in Charlotte. What a fun place! Also, I want that fan for my garage.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Parkway Views
I love it when we can time a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway at sunset. It's usually pretty quiet up there that late in the day as the tourists go home and it becomes more of a way for people to get from town back home in the mountains. This photograph was captured last Friday and it was getting really cold out, too. It was so peaceful. Everything had a cold blue tint to it until the sky turned a brilliant salmon color.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Climb to the Top
In honor of International Women's Day, this is my strong little woman tackling her first indoor mountain. She loved it and it was great to see her determination and grit on the way up the wall. Even better was the loud "WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!" every time she descended back down before doing it all over again.
Life is full of ups and downs but if we recognize the downs simply as a tack in direction on the way to the top and enjoy them, the climb to the top will be that much more rewarding.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEE!
This photograph was submitted to National Geographic's "Strong Women" photo assignment. If you're a member and you think this shows the future of strong women, I'd appreciate an upvote!
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.
Blue (And Pink) Ridge Mountains
It would be hard to beat the sunrises from Beech Mountain. Every day brings another technicolor surprise. On this occasion, the sky turned pink to complement the smoke-colored Blue Ridge Mountains. At 5,506', Beech Mountain is the highest town east of the Rockies. The height often results in rivers of clouds flowing through the valleys on cool mornings.
This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300 from the back deck of Slopeside.
Living on the Edge
These houses line the backside crest of Beech Mountain, just off of Oz Run at Beech Mountain Resort. Imagine waking up each morning to those views... Beech Mountain is such an inspirational place!
This photograph was captured with a GoPro Hero 3+ Black camera attached to a DJI Phantom 2 drone.