Valle Crucis Double Rainbow

Valle Crucis Double Rainbow, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

After a terrible day of pouring rain, high water, cold air and 4 hours of driving in it, I returned to Valle Crucis at the time sunset would normally be. The sky had been gray and now leaning towards blackness, but the sun managed to peak under the cloud cover as it set and revealed this spectacular double rainbow.

Muir Beach Sunset

Muir Beach Sunset, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

After a long hike in Muir Woods, the timing was perfect and the location was close…sunset at Muir Beach; just a little ways down the road from the National Monument parking areas. I, of course, followed this up with a pint and the english Pelican Inn.

Sunlit Clouds

Sunlit Clouds, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The cloud ceiling in this evening was amazing, causing the sunset light to dance and move all over the sky.

Sun Dog Over Hanging Rock

Sun Dog Over Hanging Rock, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

To the left of the setting sun appeared a sundog over Hanging Rock.

Even the ivy

Even the ivy, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Even the poison ivy has shown color here in the high country.  Sunset shed great light on this transition tree in Valle Crucis.

Red & Orange & Yellow

Red & Orange & Yellow, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The pastures and landscapes of this area never stop amazing me. The colors they can produce are irresistible, complimentary, and beautiful.

Boone Lights

Boone Lights, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Looking West down a busy night on King St.

King St. Glows

King St. Glows, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

King Street is our “Main Street” and a Main Street project. Our Downtown Development Association is bringing constant improvement. This is a shot just after sunset; still blues in the sky, very little pedestrian traffic and a beautiful light.

Post Office Night Light

DSC_7231, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Boone Fire Station

Boone Fire Station, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

It amazes me how peaceful a fire station can look considering it’s purpose. You never see a scramble of people like you would in a hospital; a place populated for the same purpose, saving lives.

Jones House

DSC_7173, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

The Jones House Community Center is a Boone center piece. It was donated to the town by Mazie Jean Jones Levenson. Since then it has been used as a community gathering place, art gallery, and historical repository.  Every Friday night from Memorial Day through October there’s music on the lawn here.  It’s absolutely the place in Boone to feel part of the community.

Rainbow Over ASU

Rainbow Over ASU, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Post storm clouds hover while a rainbow shows it’s colors behind the library tower of App State’s campus

Sunset Over Mt. Mitchell

Sunset Over Mt. Mitchell, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

Driving away from Mt. Mitchell on the BRP north, we watched the sun set behind it.

Mt. Mitchell

Mt. Mitchell, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

A detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway worth taking is up to Mt. Mitchell. A wonderful NC state park hosting the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The actual height of Mt. Mitchell is 6′684ft. This is a view from the top parking lot, just below the observation deck. It’s beautiful mountain and a has spectacular view all around you.

Ford on the BRP

Old Ford pickup cruising down the Blue Ridge Parkway during a great June sunset.

Appreciator

Appreciator, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

My father-in-law takes it all in while we all enjoyed a beautiful evening on the parkway, waiting for the sun to go down and loving the cool mtn air.

Cross Country

Cross Country, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

We don’t get snow very often anymore, but this week we got enough for the cross country skiers to get out and take some laps around the lake and thru the maze.

Quiet Bench

DSC_3871, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

All around Bass Lake (part of the Moses Cone trails) there are great quiet spots to take a rest, enjoy the lake and soak it all up. It was a bit cold this day to do so.

Weighted Branch

DSC_3891, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

This branch on a hemlock bordering Bass Lake in Blowing Rock is still weighted by snow and ice from Sunday/Monday’s snow storm. On this beautiful sunny day after, the trees still lean and bend from all the extra weight.

Max in Sunset

Max in Sunset, originally uploaded by boonejag75.

It’s about time to post my boy up here. Max has been with me for 4 years now and has been with me while I’ve taken just about every photo and certainly on every hike.