Beacon Heights–a Warning or a Celebration, Coming Days Will Tell
Fall Color Along the Beacon Heights Trail
Twelve days ago, I went north to see fall color along the Blue Ridge Parkway. After Flat Rock Loop (the topic of a previous post) I travelled on to Beacon Heights to take in grand views of the area’s peaks, including Grandfather Mountain. It is a spectacularly wild and scenic part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but I was rewarded even before I got to the wide open expanses. As soon as I set off on the trail, I saw some beautiful trees in yellow and gold.
Umbrella of Fall Colors on the Blue Ridge
When I looked up into this canopy, I felt like I was seeing a Gustav Klimt painting done in stained glass. The light delineated the edges of all the leaves and those that were lit up contrasted beautifully with those that were still in shadow. It all came together beautifully, unlike the current divisions in our country. Light vibrated through everything. and I wondered if it was a sight like this that was the organic inspiration for Tiffany lamps.
View from Beacon Heights
Beacon Heights View from the Rocky Outcropping
The views from the rocky outcroppings were spectacular, with big peaks in the background and rolling hills in full fall color. As i sat on this large rock, I thought about the meaning of the word beacon. According to the Oxford English dictionary, a beacon is “ a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.” With election night coming up in a little over a week, I have to wonder if the beacon I keep looking for in these high places is a warning regarding what will happen if the current administration is not replaced, or if the beacon is pointing to the celebration many will partake in as the guard changes and a new order comes into being.
Takoda, Beacon Heights
My dog, Takoda, sure seemed happy to find this spot, as did the young man carrying his baby. My dog is unaware of the pandemic or the threats to our environment from climate change and pollution, while the young man carrying his child may have felt more hope for the future as he walked in this beautiful country. I hoped his son would grow up to value nature as much as I and his father likely do. Early and continued exposure helps cement a love of the outdoors and is so important. I am grateful to my children’s father for exposing me and them to hiking. It has been so good for my health and mind, and it is what has lead me to do environmental work too.
Roots and Boulders along Laurel Creek
I stayed at the Flint Lock Campground at Boone that night and came upon these beautiful cascades on the property. Takoda and I spent a couple of hoursclambering the rocks and listening to the water tumble over boulders in the middle of the stream. It was so beautiful. When I got back to my RV, I realized I’d left my bag with my keys, phone, and wallet in it. I’d foolishly taken both a small purse and camera bag. Takoda and I went back twice in the dark with a large flashlight but couldn’t find it anywhere. A kindly man who was some years older than me came out of the RV across from where we were staying and I asked if he’d be willing to try calling my phone a few times in twenty minutes or so. He insisted on coming with me. He’d been coming to this campground for fifteen years and said he knew every rock and would be fine in the dark. We found it in the last spot we looked. Then he took me on a tour of the campsite, showing me his favorite friends’ rigs. They are a tight knit group, I discovered, and somehow I’d just been fortunate enough to get a spot that was open for a night. There is a long waiting list to get a spot here. I could see why. Below are some photos of Laurel Creek. No wonder I forgot about my purse.
Boulders in Laurel Creek
Laurel Creek
Here is a photo of my favorite hiking companion, who was trained to be a photography dog. When I say be a good photography dog, he just sits and waits until I am done. It is really quite remarkable.
Takoda Being a Photography Dog