This is the BEST riding season in the mountains. Here's why.
We begin with a lake drawn WAY down to deal with the winter snow & snowmelt runoff. The crane-like equipment in the left of the pic controls a pipeline connection between this lake and a small reservoir on the other side of the ridge. The pipeline allows both lakes to keep the same level of water.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0077-EDIT2_zps61ff6217.jpg)
The dam of the above lake:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0021-EDIT2_zps1b15977c.jpg)
A nice view on the way back down:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0028EDIT2_zpsb98c4e6d.jpg)
Onto some roads and color!!!
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0031-EDIT2_zpse50e37cc.jpg)
Various spots on NC215:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0035-EDIT2_zpsc4429aa4.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0038-EDIT2_zpsd756f6b9.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0042-EDIT2_zps0005c9f7.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0044-EDIT2_zps1bfb8740.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0045-EDIT2_zps3f790b33.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0047-EDIT2_zps2c318abc.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0052-EDIT2_zps5ef3e7e6.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0055-EDIT2_zps26c1a218.jpg)
Probably my favorite shot of the day (still on NC215):
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0065-EDIT2_zps34942d24.jpg)
Around Lake Logan:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0074-EDIT2_zps863e138e.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0075-EDIT2_zps1e3baf07.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0077-EDIT2_zps61ff6217.jpg)
That's what fall looks like in the mountains!!!
JM
Nice!!! Stay away from the wet leaves [Dolph]
Beautiful pics, I feel sorry for folks that don't live where fall happens. [thumbsup]
i just rode through there too! lol
thanks for the help btw, even though i never made it to where i was aiming. it was too far away for leaf covered roads that i don't know in the dark
Nice!
You guys back there have the best riding roads in the country.
Looks like we aren't going to be able to enjoy the colors in Washington this year. Too much rain in the forecast.
Enjoy your season!
Took these 10-21, all within 20 minutes of home:
Lake near my house:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0062-EDIT2_zps98f33779.jpg)
Mountain top view. I-40 cuts through the middle of the valley below.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0067-EDIT2_zps4bd77a78.jpg)
Rather steep & twisty local road:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0070-EDIT2_zpsc197d171.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0073-EDIT2_zps3ff16082.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0076-EDIT2_zps26174f94.jpg)
Valley on the edge of town:
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/Ride%2010-18-12/DSC_0087-EDIT2_zpsdfc574a6.jpg)
JM
Thanks. Now I'm REALLY homesick. >:(
Cloner
Originally a Tarheel from Hickory, NC
Now a Damned Tarheel in Albuquerque, NM
I miss Fall.
It doesn't show up on this end of NC. we go from sort of green to brown.
(great pics, thanks for sharing)
Quote from: Cloner on October 24, 2012, 08:46:36 AM
Thanks. Now I'm REALLY homesick. >:(
Cloner
Originally a Tarheel from Hickory, NC
Now a Damned Tarheel in Albuquerque, NM
Yeah, but you get to ride year round, no? Let's call it a draw.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn168/the_journeyman/DSC_0052-EDIT2_zps5ef3e7e6.jpg)
Having grown up in SE Michigan... This pic makes me a little homesick.
Quote from: 1.21GW on October 24, 2012, 12:00:55 PM
Yeah, but you get to ride year round, no? Let's call it a draw.
Nearly so. ABQ is @ 5K feet elevation so we do get damn cold in the winter...
I commend you for being able to stop to take that many pictures during a ride [laugh]
Sone of the best photo opportunities I did not want to stop for because of narrow shoulders. The best shots out into valleys and peaks were always at spots where the road was rather tight.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll97/metalmelitia03/IMG_0513_zps761f597e.jpg)
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll97/metalmelitia03/IMG_0514_zpsa235f18e.jpg)
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll97/metalmelitia03/IMG_0518_zpsc220a128.jpg)
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll97/metalmelitia03/IMG_0520_zps353f6cae.jpg)
The roads were so empty for most of this ride I could safely stop right in the middle to grab the pictures I posted!
JM
Absolutely Beautiful man... I'm jealous!
When people ask about living in the Blue Ridge I tell em it's like the Garden of Eden .... with a race track running through it.
Nice pics JM.
Quote from: LA on October 26, 2012, 04:50:33 PM
When people ask about living in the Blue Ridge I tell em it's like the Garden of Eden .... with a race track running through it.
Nice pics JM.
We took the kiddies to Asheville for a few days a couple of years ago. My first time down there. We had a blast, it was a great trip. My wife was totally freaking out driving on the Blue Ridge Hwy... lol. I was wishing I had my bike that's for sure...