Fall Colors
Posted on by Yael Ben-Ari

Asheville Fall Color

Asheville Fall Colors MosaicThis last week we traveled from the Pacific Northwest to visit family in Asheville.  Fall Color was gorgeous.  Now, our displays in Oregon are not slouchy, but North Carolina has a lot of lovely hardwoods with blazing colors.  And Now is the best time to see them.

Fall ColorAsheville was not fully in color, but go up the Blue Ridge Parkway a bit, and you could see vivid hues of red, orange, yellow and purple.

Castle RockThe second day that we were there, Our friend took us to a place near Asheville, called Chimney Rock, which is a state park with the coolest rocky outcrop that goes straight up and is separated from the rest of the cliff.   We saw lots of native Rhododendrons and Azaleas, which are all over.  We even saw some Azaleas in bloom.

Castlle Rock ViewThere is a healthy climb, but the view was spectacular.  Afterward, we stopped for lunch in a nearby restaurant which had a view of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure….a gorgeous spot.  (That’s it below.)

Comedy Asheville TourWe got a little bit of local color with the La Zoom Comedy Tour of Asheville.  With a guide dressed something like Dolly Parton and playing up the Southern accent to the hilt and another guide who changed dress to play skits, we had a lot of fun.  I don’t know how much I learned about Asheville.  We were laughing too hard.

Quilt At Folk Art Guild Entry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asheville is known for its folk art scene, and we did lots of shopping and visiting the Folk Art Center, where we saw art created by both some early settlers to the area and contemporary artisans.  Truly beautiful.  I succumbed to temptation and bought some sweet ceramic glazed earrings of hummingbirds and a ceramic mirror a few days later.  I also got busted for taking photos of some gorgeous quilts, which I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to do.  So I won’t show you any of those photos.  But I will show you this picture of a quilt at the entry way, which was not a part of the display.  I hope that one isn’t a no-no too.

Biltmore EstateWe did get a chance to visit the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, which was very interesting.  Former home of the Vanderbilts, this is the largest private residence in the US, the home is truly ginormous.  There were endless rooms, hung with paintings, tapestries that rival those in museums, prints of famous paintings and portraits, and exquisite furniture that rivals that of the Borghese Palace in Italy.  The architecture is very Gothic.  I had a feeling that it could be used as a movie set.  (It was, in fact, used in Forrest Gump and Hannibal, as well as many other films.)

Gardens At Biltmore EstateThe gardens and greenhouse were gorgeous.  And the grounds were planned by the landscape architect of Central Park in New York.  This was an incredible place.

Fall ColorsOf course we took a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway which ascends to over 5000 feet.  At around 3000-4500 we were seeming the most vibrant colors.

SumacSumac abound

SourwoodI need to go to a nursery to buy a Sourwood here in the Pacific Northwest, yet here they are growing in cracks in the rocks.

Forest ColorYou could see both into the woods and at overlooks to valleys below.  It was truly gorgeous.

Blue Ridge Mountains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Ridge Mountains are just beautiful.

At Mt. MitchellSomewhere around 4500, the leaves were past their prime and we started to see brown and trees which had already shed their leaves.  We made it to Mt. Mitchell, which is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi, at around 6500 feet.  The trees here were almost bare, but the view from the top was gorgeous.  We were able to take in the view from the restaurant there, where we had lunch before going back to Asheville.  What a trip!.

River Arts DistrictThe next day we relaxed a little and did some shopping in town and at the really cool River Arts District, and a wonderful dinner at home.  Being the last full day there, we just enjoyed some good company before leaving today.  Leaving for the airport, it was really noticible that the leaves in Asheville were becoming more vivid as well.

We fully enjoyed ourselves.  I’m now writing this on the way home at something like 36000 feet with clouds below and sun getting lower in the sky.  And in three hours I will be back in Portland, OR.  It has been a wonderful trip, but also good to get home.  The kitties await us.

 

43 Replies to “Asheville Fall Color”

  1. What a beautiful part of the world. I really enjoyed going along on the tour with you. The Autumn colours are just stunning. That first photo of the hardwoods ablaze is spectacular.

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    1. Alicia,

      Thanks and thanks for coming by. We had a wonderful time exploring this great town and seeing the gorgeous autumn foliage.

      Yael

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  3. Thanks so much for stopping by. I bet you would really like the pumpkin cheesecake bars. Arkansas has some gorgeous color right now even after our summer drought. Come visit!

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    1. Hi Debbie,

      Thanks for coming by. I just Know I would love the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars. I Love anything pumpkin. Would love to visit Arkansas. I have family on the Missouri side of the Ozarks and am originally from Kansas City.

      Yael

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  4. WOW! You got some amazing photos! And I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit. We are still in Asheville and the colors are at peak here in the foothills now. We drove a little on the parkway and it was beautiful. Today we went to the Arboretum and I took more photos! It’s beautiful everywhere you look! I’m going to show my hubby your blog so that he can see the photos you took! Looks like you packed a lot into your visit! Sweet hugs, Diane

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    1. Hi Diane,

      Thanks for coming by. Our visit was really fun. I would like to have seen the Arboretum. At least I have a friend there, so there are always more chances to come. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

      Yael

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    1. Hi Mimi,

      Thanks for coming by and thanks for your comment. I too, enjoy seeing others’ fall photos. It is such a lovely season.

      Yael

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  6. What a wonderful post this is, Yael. I loved all you pictures, but the one near the beginning with the hillside of trees full of color is just so beautiful! Glad that you had a good time on your trip–it certainly looks a very scenic spot in the country. Glad you got to enjoy the comedy show as well–it looks like fun! You asked a question at my blog about the fruit salad recipe and substituting cheese. Absolutely! Any cheese that has a sharp, tangy flavor is a nice contrast to the sweet fruit in the salad, I think. Glad that you liked it!

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    1. Hi Athena,

      Thanks. We had a blast in Asheville. It was truly beautiful. I loved our drive to the higher elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Colors were spectacular. The shot I took of the hillside of trees was at about 3500 feet (I think). The Blue Ridge Mountains are lovely. Thanks for the cheese tip. I think I will use the Feta that I have…probably tonight. I don’t know what I am having as a main dish, but I am having biscuit withdrawal. So salad, biscuits and maybe chicken would be good tonight.

      Yael

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  7. Hello, what a lovely post. The falls colors along the parkway are beautiful. And Asheville and Biltmore sounds like great places to visit. Your photos are beautiful! Have a great week ahead.

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  9. What great photos! We love the Asheville area. Our son is in college in Boone about an hour north of Asheville. Now that the leaves are at peak it’s probably time to go visit him 🙂

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    1. Leen,

      This was a lot of fun and beautiful. It’s nice to talk to other people who have had the chance to see it too.

      Yael

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    1. Andrea. Thanks and thanks for coming by. We had a truly great time there. I just found out today that they were having a nice 75 degrees today, while we had barely 50 and rain.

      Yael

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  17. I’ve been blessed to travel to Ashville and see all this awesome beauty.wonderful photo’s.Thank you so much for sharing #67 @ A Delightsome Life.
    I’ve tried following and I think I was successful thru Linky.

    #17
    LoblollyLane

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    1. Hi Jo,

      Thanks for coming by and for your comment and Follow. We loved Asheville and had a great time.

      Yael

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    1. Hi Laurie,

      Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. Chimney rock was really neat. And the view from the top was gorgeous.

      Yael

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  19. These are fabulous. I just love the gorgeous hills in your shots.

    Many years ago (about 16) I took a trip back to Virginia and had the pleasure of visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves had just started to change when we were there but we did get so see some of their beauty.

    My post is also Autumn related.

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    1. Hi Ida,

      Thanks for coming by. My sister lives in Virginia and has promised to take us out to Skyline Drive at the start of the Blueridge Parkway. To see the Shennandoah Valley. I always thought I would see it starting there. But then I drove it on the other end. It was lovely. Next I Will go in Virginia.

      Yael

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    1. Hi Lori,

      Thanks for visiting and your comment. The fall colors were wonderful and the Vanderbilt mansion Soo interesting.

      Yael

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