Color and fun were served up in the Appalachian mountains this weekend

[Mira]

Some years the color is spectacular, others it is muted. It depends on the amount of rainfall and the varying temperatures. But always at the peak of the fall season the Appalachian mountains are overrun with folks looking and enjoying themselves.
This was a couple of days ago near Asheville, NC

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Mira!

Ah, these are wonderful!

I think the 3rd one would make a most excellent jigsaw puzzle!

Are those pyracantha berries in the fourth?

The straw man is very well done, lol!

I think you had a good time...

[Mira]

2. Guess what, Peggy! I thought it was a straw man, too

and I got close and obnoxious taking the picture. Until she stood up and shook herself off.
But she never saw me or my utterly bewildered expression. My family had to listen about my shock for a good while though.

The Berries are called "American Ash"
(please pardon the expression)

edited to add this about the trees
https://www.google.com/search?q=American+mountain+ash+trees&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=Chr&rls=org.mozilla:en-US

except now that I see it the link is as long as the tree is beautiful

edited to add this just because I am so laughing:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. How funny about the straw person!

And I've never heard of the American Ash. They look so much like the firethorne berries of the pyracantha shrub.

Thanks for the info!

[Solly Mack]

3. Beautiful shots!

[postatomic]

5. I heart autumn

The colors are fleeting but in the short time they're around it's amazing. You got some great autumn photos.

[Mira]

6. Thank you very much, you winner you!

I was about to send you a PM saying: When I faced my first hosting I had all but sleepless nights embarking on it.
This may not be true for you in the least. But if you have questions, I'm willing to help.

[postatomic]

17. Thank you. I may take you up on that offer

I think I have the logistics figured out. It's the 'creative' element that I'm struggling with at the moment.

[ohheckyeah]

7. Great photos and beautiful color.

The trees haven't changed this much here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

[sheshe2]

8. Beautiful!

Thanks Mira~

[KC]

9. Those are

beautiful Mira. What was the temperature like there? I have family coming soon and hope to go somewhere around that area while they're here or at least up on the Parkway.

[Mira]

14. Temperature was unusually warm. High 60's no wind full sun.

But the locals said that it's ordinarily cooler with a possibly fierce wind. This week is high 50's. The locals also say the color will be good for another two weeks or so.

[KC]

18. That's not

too bad then. It's my sister and 88 yr old Mom so I feel better about it if it's not too cold. However, it will be the 2nd week of
Nov so it may be colder then. I hope there will be some color left. lol

[mnhtnbb]

10. Beautiful! I'm in Chapel Hill and we have hardly any color yet.

Also have friends in New Hampshire who are thinking about retiring to the area around
Asheville. I'm going to send them a link to your post!

Thanks for sharing!

[Callalily]

11. Beautiful photos Mira!

And "hat" story and well and the photo made me grin!

[brer cat]

12. Lovely, Mira.

Thanks for sharing.

[Celebration]

13. Just gorgeous!

I am scheduled to drive to Asheville in a week, and I am afraid that will be after the peak season.

That guy does look like straw man, LOL@!!

[Mira]

15. If you go in a week it's still going to be beautiful.

We are at the beginning of the peak in color - there are still a couple of good weeks ahead. Enjoy!

[Mz Pip]

16. Spectacular berries.

We don't get much fall color around here so I have to travel. I remember those mountains when we were in Asheville a couple of years ago in July. Gorgeous even then. Blue Ridge Mountains IIRC.