NC Highways and Backroads- Fall 2021

Seeing all the Fall foliage is one of the great perks in travelling around the surrounding counties to take pics for Mike Stainback's Appraisals. I take the interstate highways as well as numerous state  and county roads. They are beautiful all the time but they take on a special ambiance in the first week of November that lightens up the heart and soul.

I think it is God's way of saying that everything goes out in a blaze of glory on this earth. No matter what, every deciduous tree leaf is going to leave with a splash of orange, red, yellow, gold, burgundy, purple or some other shade before it gives up and falls to the ground. A little like us, I think, wanting to go out with a bang. and have our life remembered for the color we brought into others lives, and the happiness they shared as we traveled down life's highways. 

Here are a few such roads in North Carolina.

A Beautiful Fall Day in North Carolina

 Veterans Day 2021 is a day to honor all those who served this great nation and allowed us to live with the freedoms that we enjoy. Even as simple as driving around the city and admiring all the beautiful foliage that has peaked this week. Cheryl and I always visited some favorite spots where we knew we would not be disappointed. Today Mendy accompanied me to re-visit some of those sites, and we were not  displeased. I'd like to think that Cheryl  stood there with me as I viewed the old familiar scenes. Certainly her spirit did. 

These are pics that I took today including several from around the yard.

It's at peak

 I left North Carolina on October 30 to visit Angela and all in Florida. The one regret I had was that the peak Fall color would be gone when I returned ten days later. I had a wonderful visit in Jacksonville, going trick-or-treating with three little boys, sharing quality time with Angela and John, catching up with Ms Rosa and of course, experiencing a Jaguars football win, and ending with some of the freshest catch in flounder and Mayport shrimp at a fish camp on the river. Darren told me that he would take some pics for me to see when I returned.

I returned on a late flight and it was dark when I landed so I couldn't see the trees. Mendy picked me up and as we headed home, she said "Daddy, the trees have just reached peak, I think they were waiting for you." I couldn't believe the color I awoke to and I was very thankful that I had made the trip and not missed the color. Here are a few shots from my neighborhood from the past couple of days. It is truly at peak color.