Went to look at the fall colors...

...but there weren't many even though it's mid-October.

So my photos are in black and white. Of course, I love black and white so even if the colors had been spectacular my selects might still have been in black and white. These are from Graveyard Fields, an area off of the Blue Ridge Parkway where the colors change first because there was a terrible fire in 1925 that altered the soil, which in turn affects how chlorophyll breaks down.  

I took the trail to the Upper Falls this time — this area is pretty close to my house and the hiking is excellent. It's also 

popular. There weren't many other hikers, thankfully, but there was a couple whose female half was not a big fan of hiking and I kept catching up to her continual complaining even though I hung back often to take pictures. I have an unflattering shot of her backside that I took while she was walking ahead of me that I think is funny. Doubt she'd agree. 

Parts of the trail were quite muddy despite the drought and the towering rock roadcuts on the Ridge were wet and slick-looking, as usual. It's so dry right now that backcountry fires in many areas are prohibited as of today. But the water that makes muddy trails and slick rock comes from springs and there's enough rain along the ridge to keep them flowing. I prefer it when there's "weather" on the Ridge. It can sneak up on you in five minutes flat — such a kick.

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