Last of the Fall weekend in NC/SC images

Back home after a whistle stop tour. I will post some images on my website once I have had a chance to sort through them, but here are a couple more quick pics. Above is a view from the top of Max Patch Bald near Hot Springs and below is of the Davidson River that runs alongside the NC-276 past the Cradle of Forestry near BrevardI added a daytime photo of the balloon festival in Statesville.The last one caught my attention while traveling home through rural South Carolina's 321 South - only in SC!

Carolina Balloon Festival

I left Hot Springs this morning (bad decision to overnight there) and wandered back east through Brevard, Old Fort and arrived in Statesville in time for the mass ascension in the afternoon. The festival was chaotic in terms of organization. Cars were approaching from at least three different access roads and all merging into one lane and parking in one field. It took at least an hour and a half to park - just a little less than it took to get through the I-26 traffic jam on Thursday on the way to Asheville. Anyway, I digress. This picture was taken after sunset - the balloon glow.

Fall in North Carolina

This year I was determined not to miss the Fall color display in the Blue Ridge/Smoky Mountain areas of North Carolina.Every time I visit, I realize that I need at least a week to explore all the roads less traveled, especially on a weekend when the BRP becomes a parking lot. I spent a lot of time (and a lot of gas) chasing rabbit trails sometimes, but that's the fun of photography. If you knew that you were going to hit the jackpot around every corner, it wouldn't be so much fun.I have a lot of images with gorgeous colored foliage, but for here and now I tried to pick a few that were different for various reasons.Today I traveled from Black Mountain up and down the parkway a little (before everyone else was up and about) and then took the rural roads to Max Patch Bald, Cherokee, Hot Springs. Tomorrow I will move back East, ending up in Statesville where there is a hot air balloon festival in progress.

Dawn Shrimp Boat Patrol

So we made a second attempt to photograph working shrimpers in Port Royal Sound, but there weren't many out there - I guess they're catching too much shrimp this season and can afford to sleep in some days. There was one really pretty boat from Oriental, NC anchored in the sound. The crew started to wake as the sun came up. This guy was enjoying his first cup of coffee and watching the sunrise.

Gosh I love Beaufort

I always find such neat stuff down here. I guess one person's trash is another's treasure, but this area is a photographer's paradise. Expect more shrimp boat images tomorrow if everything goes according to plan, but in the meantime, how about this Seabrook country store.

Paul and Laura at the beach

Another gorgeous evening out at Folly Beach and we photographed Paul and Laura, who are expecting their first baby soon.

Wedding at Middleton Plantation

I've known Sven since he was 2 years old, and this evening I watched him marry the girl of his dreams. Congratulations Sven and Kristen.