Frosted Flakes
Winter came to the North Carolina mountains in a big way this weekend. I attended the proceedings along with just about everybody within about a 150-mile radius who skis. Imagine that. The drive up near the top of Carver's Gap at Roan Mountain was a bit of the white-knuckled variety for me, as I've not experienced much of driving in snow, especially on steep, curvy mountain roads. In the rare instances when it snows at home, I usually stay home until conditions improve to avoid the inevitable crashes often caused by those who do have more experience... tinged with just a sprinkle of overconfidence to cause problems. Thankfully, I met no one of that description as I made my way up that treacherous road. The view from the top made it all worth it, despite having to wait a while before I could pry my fingers from the steering wheel.
I noticed a sign at the Roan Mountain Campground as I drove by that asked "What do snowmen eat for breakfast?" The obvious answer is frosted flakes. I had no idea how perceptive that answer would be until I reached the gap... everything above ground was "frosted" (including me before I left). Those snowmen who like breakfast as much as I do would be quite happy here. That entire area of Roan Mountain, Round Bald, Jane Bald, Grassy Knob, and beyond experienced not just snow(flakes), but also hoarfrost from low clouds in those high regions. It made for a great day with the camera... the snowman and I had a good time! More to come.
This image was taken just beyond the entrance to the Appalachian Trail across from Roan at Carver's Gap, literally on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. I couldn't pass up this frosted tree against that brilliant sky on the hike up Round Bald. These bushes are standout Catawba rhododendron hunkered down against the harsh weather along with balsam firs, showing a quite different world than that of next June... stay tuned.
Frosted Flakes
Winter came to the North Carolina mountains in a big way this weekend. I attended the proceedings along with just about everybody within about a 150-mile radius who skis. Imagine that. The drive up near the top of Carver's Gap at Roan Mountain was a bit of the white-knuckled variety for me, as I've not experienced much of driving in snow, especially on steep, curvy mountain roads. In the rare instances when it snows at home, I usually stay home until conditions improve to avoid the inevitable crashes often caused by those who do have more experience... tinged with just a sprinkle of overconfidence to cause problems. Thankfully, I met no one of that description as I made my way up that treacherous road. The view from the top made it all worth it, despite having to wait a while before I could pry my fingers from the steering wheel.
I noticed a sign at the Roan Mountain Campground as I drove by that asked "What do snowmen eat for breakfast?" The obvious answer is frosted flakes. I had no idea how perceptive that answer would be until I reached the gap... everything above ground was "frosted" (including me before I left). Those snowmen who like breakfast as much as I do would be quite happy here. That entire area of Roan Mountain, Round Bald, Jane Bald, Grassy Knob, and beyond experienced not just snow(flakes), but also hoarfrost from low clouds in those high regions. It made for a great day with the camera... the snowman and I had a good time! More to come.
This image was taken just beyond the entrance to the Appalachian Trail across from Roan at Carver's Gap, literally on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line. I couldn't pass up this frosted tree against that brilliant sky on the hike up Round Bald. These bushes are standout Catawba rhododendron hunkered down against the harsh weather along with balsam firs, showing a quite different world than that of next June... stay tuned.