There are few places I enjoy as much as Roan Mountain, for a couple of reasons: beautiful mountain setting, good trails in the park and a short drive to the Appalachian Trail, and free, fast wifi (yes, I like my creature comforts!)
I arrived the first week of October, just as the trees were preparing to show their Fall colors. This tree, right outside my big front window, was holding on to its green as long as it could. When the morning sun came up, it really did look this green. Oh, I had the wish of rushing past Fall and Winter and straight on into Spring were tempting indeed, when all the greens are on display. But, alas, we’re two seasons away from that.
On the side of my campsite, the trees were already starting to change, yellows mixing with greens as the temperatures dipped overnight and the cold reminded them – and me – of the coming Winter.
On my birthday, I treated myself to a drive around to enjoy the colors and I was not disappointed. Up and over the road south from the campground, into North Carolina and back, made for quite an enjoyable day trip.
This is looking north from the road up to the Balds, right on the TN/NC state line. What a view! It’s one of my favorites, and whenever I stay at Roan Mountain, I come up and check it out.
Back at the campground, I visited the stream on a short hike. The water level is pretty low, but that’s to be expected after the dry Summer in these parts. Still pretty though, both the burbling of water over and around the rocks, and the light on water and foliage.
Where: Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee
Great way to spend your birthday.
Happy for you!
It’s really a beautiful area! Someday I’ll make it there for the rhododendron festival, it must be amazing.
Very pretty. We live in south central Kentucky and camp in the Smokies at least 1 X per year. We have many friends that love Roan Mountain. We need to get there!!!