Fragments From Floyd

Sunday home alone, mopey and dull. The drizzle ended by noon but not the pallor of low cloud. Clouds broke up just the least bit by 2:00 and I remembered it was the weekend of our friends' annual cider pressing over on the Willis side of town. With the drismal weather, the crowd might be sparse, and that'd be a shame for all the effort of setting up the press, getting the apples, and inviting folks.I felt obliged to go, but really just wanted to crawl in bed and wait for spring.

But in the end, I decided that, after a glass or two of sweet, fresh cider, I would assauge my guilt of having burned two gallons of gas for this travel by extending my trip on beyond a bit. So I took Canning Factory Road to Black Ridge, and climbed up into the sun, to the Parkway. If we aren't at peak fall foliage, we're getting close, and there might be a few early shots waiting for me. I was toting all the gear, just in case.

Heading east, I'd make a loop from mile post 171 at the Parkway to 159 at the old Wormy Chestnut (For Sale!) and home. As I reached the crest of the mountain and the parkway, I could see that fog was still hanging heavy in Rock Castle Gorge. It lifted and spilled through the gaps, making a wonderful mix of blue sky and color against gray monochrome blindness of a rising vapor. I'll show you four shots brought home from that little excursion.

I was lured off the trail into the spotty sunlight that filtered through the stunted oaks on top of Rocky Knob, pulled between reaching an opening where the fog might spread for a dynamically lit vista and this subtle display of autumn sienna and cinnamon, low to the ground. (Image is clickable for larger version.)