Dates:

08/18/2008 to 8/18/2009

Property Types:

Sold Single Family Residences

Wildflowers and grasses in a meadow on the Blue Ridge Parkway

I had learned a new photographic technique at the Grandfather Camera Clinic that creates this effect — the flowers and grasses in sharp detail, the background blurry.  I’ve had great fun trying it out.  I like the random wildness displayed in this picture — the daisy-like flowers next to the two types of grass, the cheery sun-like flowers contrasting with the almost lacy grass and tall, straight grass.  Although I enjoy winter for what it is, I treasure having pictures such as this one to remind me on cold winter days of the pleasant weather of summer, easy to hike in and discover what nature has to offer on a particular day.  To remember the delights offered to us with no effort on our part, just there, doing their own thing, to add joy and splendor to our lives.

Horse on Blue Ridge Parkway Price Park

When I became interested in photographing the heart-shaped tree, this fellow and his companions were in the field.  They always stopped their grazing and came over, probably to see if I had apples or such to offer them.  They are not shy and hovered all around me, trying to nibble on my things and in the process slobbering on my camera and lenses.  But, they were friendly.  I hoped to get a picture of one of them looking directly at me for my ‘here’s looking at you, kid’ series.  Never did. 

Canada Geese Regatta on Trout Lake, mp 294 Blue Ridge Parkway

The Canada Geese stop by Trout Lake on their way north and south.   A few sometimes stay for the summer.  It’s especially fun to hear them talking back and forth right before they rise up off the lake and fly away.  What do you suppose they are saying?  ‘Honey, don’t you think we should be moving on?’  ‘Oh, it’s so pleasant here why don’t we linger a while.’ ‘Ok, ok. I’ll be the lead goose to begin with.’ 

Moses Cone Servants Quarters Rose Arbor

 The early morning sun is catching the rose arbor.  Moses Cone himself did not plant any non-native species on his estate.  That’s because one of his missions on the estate was to awake visitors [and he had in mind his estate would one day be a 'public pleasuring ground' so by visitors he was thinking of us, of you and me today] to the wonders of the Southern Appalachian mountains and forest.  Mr. Cone died young.  After his death Mrs. Cone introduced a number of non-native species to the estate, including this rose arbor.  To see it, park in the parking lot of the Cone Manor at mp 294.  Walk to the Carriage Barn [the public restrooms are located in the Carriage Barn so look for public restroom signs if you don't know how to recognize the Carriage Barn].  The rose arbor is just a short distance downhill from the Carriage Barn.

2009-april-newsletter

The link, above, will take you to the 2009 April Find A Mountain Home newsletter.  I hope you enjoy it.

2009-april-newsletter

Spring Trees in front of the Cone Carriage Barn catch the early morning light

 Spring is titillating us in the mountains.  April is that way here — glorious sunshine and 65-degrees one day, then snow and 22-degrees the next.  Most days are damp and chilly.  That makes the glorious sunshine days precious and treasured.  These trees made me think they were reaching out their branches, grabbing in the morning sun.  The trees are located in front of the Cone Carriage Barn, mp 294, Blue Ridge Parkway

Fawn on Flannery Fork

How did I get this pic?  I was driving back very early from my walk on the Rich Mountain Trails.  As I rounded a curve on Flannery Fork Road [a gravel road], ahead was a doe who’d obviously heard my approach.  She stared at me in panic while frantically jumping back and forth on the road.  She’d recently given birth to this fawn, on the road.  Finally, she jumped off the road into the woods.  I knew that does always stay nearby their fawns, waiting for danger to pass before they re-emerge.  I drove by the fawn, rolling down the window and taking just this one shot in a brief pause before moving on. I didn’t want to disturb the fawn or scare the mama even further by lingering a long time for a number of shots.  I drove ahead far enough that I thought the mama might come back out of the woods, and parked in the same lane as the fawn.  The fawn was so tiny that it couldn’t be see far away in the dim morning light, and I wanted to be able to stop any oncoming traffic and make sure they used the other lane [fortunately, there was enough sight distance to do this and be safe].  After about 15 minutes with no traffic, the fawn slowly got to its feet, ambled about on the road, then headed into the woods near where its mother had fled. I drove on home and was delighted to find that my one picture turned out well.  It’s my 2009 ‘Here’s looking at you, kid’ shot.  Hope it’s a great life for you, little one.

The home buying process can appear very complicated and with huge decisions.  This seminar will explain the major steps of the process and provide information that will whittle down decisions to a manageable size.  I will be on hand to present the process and answer real estate related questions.  Melissa Carpenter of CommunityOne Bank will be on hand to explain what you need to be thinking about to apply for a loan and answer loan-related questions.

The seminars will be offered on 3 dates:  Tues., March 17 at 6:30 pm.  Saturday, April 11 at 10:30am.  Thursday May 21 at 6:30pm. 

The location is the Boone Optimist Clubhouse located at 1012 State Farm Road [by the softball fields and across from the original Lowe's building]. 

We’ll cover:  the home-buying process [from deciding you want to purchase through walking in the front door of your new home], what information you need to get together to take to a lender, how the USDA guidelines may benefit you, information on the $8000 first time homebuyers’ tax credit, homes currently on the market, and consumer protection information.  You’ll take home a notebook full of information you’ll want to refer to during your home-buying process and the knowledge of how to take the first steps to buying a home.  You’ll have the opportunity, if you so choose, to talk individually with a realtor and a lender.

Refreshments will be served.

An RSVP is appreciated but not necessary.  To RSVP or for further information phone Helen Phillips at 828.264.1434 or email Helen@CoeRealty.com   Or phone Melissa Carpenter at 828.964.5544 or email melissa.carpenter@myyesbank.com.

Taken on the Rich Mountain Trail above Trout Lake Parking Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, mp 294.  What can I say?  I love the aura of mystery that foggy days bring to the woods, and the muted colors.