Southeastern Waterfalls

To view my calendar collection of Southeastern Waterfalls available for 2010, click on the title of this post or the following link:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/mountainlover/calendars/4305994-7-southeastern-waterfalls

American Art Today - Juried Bascom Art Show - Highlands, NC

I was completely honored to be chosen as one of the 45 entrants allowed to compete in this show. The entrants were choosen from over 450+ entries countrywide. While I did not win or place in the show itself, I have my art on display in the gallery with the other artists through the month of December at the Bascom. The entry that was accepted is the same as my header but will post it here again ... If you are in Highlands, check out the gallery located on Highway 28/64.

Morning at Pine Ridge

Always beautiful in the Blue Ridge Mountains, morning comes with an array of colors now that it is fall. I have witnessed many a spectacular sunrise from my deck since moving here 21 years ago and just wanted to share this one from this morning. I can never tire of looking at a mountain landscape. it always brings me peace and a feeling of serenity. I am blessed to be here in this magnificient place.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

 A most beautiful drive from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Entrance (North Carolina side of the park) all the way to Boone, NC - a stretch of 250 parkway miles through some of the most beautiful mountains in this region of the country. Our day started overcast and calling for rain but from past experience I knew it was exactly these conditions that could produce absolutely vivid and intense colors. Moving in and out of the fog and cloud cover, some of the overlooks were obscured from our vision and others standing in all their magnificent colors seemed to be calling out for someone to feast their eyes upon such splendor! Starting in the mountains of the Cherokee Indian Reservation and passing the highest point on the parkway at 6047 feet we landed at The Pisgah Inn on Mount Pisgah where we dined on freshly cooked food and topped with a glass of wine while looking through a wall of windows touting a large panoramic view of the Mountains beyond. A perfect place to rest before landing in Boone, NC, where we spent the night before driving back the same stretch of parkway. First stop was Grandfather Mountain, but it was totally covered in fog and we decided to head on down and stop at Mount Mitchell State Park, which offers the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6684 feet in elevation. The views from the newly completed observation tower were a sight to behold. Here we hiked The Balsam Trail (only 3/4 of a mile in length) which took us through a spruce-fir forest similar in habitat to Canada.  Even though the spruce-fir forests are greatly diminished, they are still present. Red spruce, fire cherry, yellow birch, mountain ash, and mountain maple have filled gaps opened by the loss of Fraser fir, and other native plant species such as blueberry, mountain raspberry, red elder, and bush honeysuckle produce beautiful blossoms and lend fragrance to the air. The hike was easy and educational. The remainder of the trip was spent stopping roadside to admire a magnificent view or observe the wildlife that presented itself from time to time. The perfect way to spend the weekend.

The Cullasaja River

Alway beautiful and always worth stopping to admire, even if for a brief minute or two, Cullasaja Falls, located on Highway 28/64 between Franklin and Highlands, NC is beginning to show nice fall colors. You can park directly on the side of the road (only space for a car or two) and see this view from the road.

Western North Carolina Native Plants and Wildflowers

The mountains of western Carolina with its diverse and rich ecological environments provide plenty of opportunity to see and enjoy the abundant flora and fauna of the region. Enjoy this gallery of our native plants and wildflowers. All images are available either in print or web. To see the gallery, click on the title of this post "Western North Carolina Native Plants and Flowers"....

All Things Herbal

I love to cook and since herbs play an extremely important part of my life and in my kitchen, I have an additional blog dedicated strictly to my herbal endeavors. Mostly recipies and gardening tips, feel free to see what's happening in Karen's organic kitchen. Another great place to find stock photography of  herbs and herb gardens.

The Village of Cashiers, Jackson County, NC

A small yet popular destination in the mountains of western North Carolina, Cashiers Valley is home to Whiteside Mountain, a million-year old rock with cliffs reaching 4930 feet and overlooking the Village of Cashiers. Lots of hiking and waterfalls in this part of the state and this little Village is a great place to visit while in the mountains. 

Watercolor Florals

I love working in Photoshop to "paint" my photos with the computer since I am not proficient as a pencil or oil artist. When I find a flower photo that I have taken that I particularly like, then I work it in Photoshop CS3 using brushes and filters to achieve what I term "watercolor photography". I also use Llightroom 2 in conjunction with Photoshop as my editing programs to produce the results you find here.