Yes, I used a tripod. The exposure was several seconds!

Then there were trees with burls.

There were even a few natural seats along the way.
And one that was occupied…

The Pond at Grissom Farm

We wind our way through familiar back road to pick up Red Mill Rd near I-85 and head toward Treyburn and old NC-75, where the actual scenic byway starts. We pass Historic Stagville and roll up Orange Factory towards Bahama. I notice with rising disappointment that more and more of the previously undisturbed forests now have signs for new subdivision. Suburban sprawl is about to claim another scenic area.

We choose to skip a stop at the old Bahama store this afternoon and turn right, descending through a series of turns before we cross Lake Michy.

From there the byway rolls through rural farm land and pine forests until you reach Red Mountain and Mooresville Road. Mooreville Road host several large horse farms and the rolling pastures make you think you are surely in another well known horse breeding state.

With the sun dipping low, and temperatures falling quickly, we cut short the less scenic loop through old Page Road and Mason Roads.

We cross over the Little River down stream from from Lake Michy, pass a few farm buildings of a bygone era and pick up old NC 75 again to make our way back home shortly before sunset set.

A good way to close out 2011.

We are surrounded by neighbor dogs. On one side are two CockerSpaniels. We have an understanding not to both sets of dogs out at the same time.

On the other two sides are Bear’s girl friends, both Labs, 60+ pound Molly and 50 pound Jazmine. Jazmine is the new dog in the neighborhood and Bear’s latest heart throb – if you can call a through the fence Maltese-Lab dog relationship romance.

I have tried to get them together, but any advance by Jazmine sends Bear running to the safety of his side of the fence. From there he excitedly whines to be on the other side of the fence with Jazmine.

I recently had the opportunity to dog sit Jazmine for our neighbors. Jazmine does not have a fenced yard and I had to walk her. I took Bear and his brother Woody along. All three walked well, but we walked at a slower pace than Jazmine was accustomed to because of Bear and Woody. She would run ahead to the end of her longer leash and then circle back, looking at Bear and Woody as if to say “hurry up guys!”

After the long walk, I led Jazmine in our yard to see how she and Bear might play. They enjoined each other with the “play pose” and proceeded to play what appeared to be doggie tag. Jazmine clearly knew she was faster than Bear because she was only trotting/cantering while Bear was running full tilt.
Bear finally ran up to me, tongue hanging out. Oh for a camera!

The exercise would not be repeated. Over the next several days of dog sitting, I brought Jazmine over several times. Each time Bear would flee and eventually take refuge behind me or between my legs.

For Bear, the thought of a girl friend on the other side of fence is better than the reality on the same side.

It was like GOD was providing His own Christmas lights.

Merry Christmas!

The morning started foggy and dreary, but as the cloud cleared and the sun caught the leaves, I had to grab the camera for a last glimmer of fall color.
Click to view slideshow.

We met some friends, fellow hikers and photographers and heading down the Parkway with a few plans in our pockets and a willingness to stop for pictures. It was mid-week, so we did not have to fight the crowds we saw Sunday afternoon. Lin Cove Viaduct is so well photographed, it is easy to buy wonderful pictures from any season, but there is the challenge to a photographer, to capture the image for himself. I knew subconsciously that anything I shot today would be sub par. The day started cloudy and foggy and by the time we reached the viaduct it was after 10 AM – past prime photographer lighting. I looked for shots of a different nature light this cloud blowing over, creating a foggy effect which cleared a few minutes later.

The cloud remains in the background. The leaves along the viaduct and above were past their peak and many had already fallen this year in an early leaf season. There was some color left though.

Two days later passing through the same area at 7:45AM enroute to Asheville, I saw first hand what is meant by ‘capture the light’. Unfortunately, the camera was securely packed away and I was not able to stop. The morning sun glowed warmly above the eastern crests and below the viaduct lighting the remaining leaves with a golden light. Very different from the harsh mid-day sun or even the filtered haze of a cloudy day. It was the shot the photography waits for, watches for, and I was not ready.

This wood duck isn’t foliage obviously, but his colors were attracting numerous photographers trying to get close enough for a good shot.

I looked back after capturing the duck – it only took 6 tries and saw this tree full of golden glory.

Around the base of the dam is the entrance to “the maze” trail across this bridge framed by fall foliage. “The Maze” is a nice walk when you have time, but not today.

As we continued along the pathway the filtered late day sun was capture in a few trees. Not quite the same as full morning sun to make the leaf color pop though. We met a few fellow photographers who had been out in the early morning and were pointing out spots were the morning sun captured the leaf color. Tomorrow doesn’t look promising though.

As I stopped often to frame shots, Kelley walked ahead beneath the golden canopy of leaves.

This looks like the last hurrah for the leaves this year. An unusually early season. By next week most of the trees will be bear here and one will have to look lower on the mountain.

We continued our journey down memory lane with a tour of downtown Lenoir. The old Center theater is still standing, but long closed. I doubt the Merry Christmas wishes were from 2010. However, there is still street art.

Just up the street from the Center Theater is the Day Vault drug store building. The sign remains on the side of the building brick facade, but it is now a pizzeria.

Across the street from the drug store/pizzeria was the fashion district. Times have changed.
They do still carry dresses…

Further down the street in the center of town, the revitalization project is still under way. The four corners have or are being redone into open areas with monuments.

We stroll down to Church Street, appropriately enough for a look at two firsts.

Lenoir is a quiet and sleepy town now with little business going on sadly. The people are friendly though. I stood on the corner waiting for Kelley and a old feller stopped in his pick-up and asked if he should smile for the camera (in my hands). We struck up a short conversation. He had attended high school in Raleigh.

Small town. Small world.