September 24, 2017 by IdealisticRebel

Mt. Mitchell, NC

Yesterday, my sister Amy and I went to Mt. Mitchell in Burnsville, NC.

Mt Mitchell is about an hour from Asheville, along the Blue Ridge Parkway — which was, as always, a spectacular drive.

Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway Photograph and Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2017

At Mt. Mitchell State Park, we met with friends and had a wonderful potluck picnic! After dinner, we went to the peak of the mountain. I had a bit of assistance from the Park Rangers who took me and another friend with limited ability to the top.

Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi, at 6684 ft above sea level.

Mt. Mitchell – highest peak east of the Mississippi
Photograph and Copyright Amy Halperin 2017

The scenery was wonderful, with lovely spruce and firs and rock formations that look designed by an artist.

Rocks of Mt Mitchell
Photograph and Copyright Barbara Mattio 2017

Top of Mt. Mitchell
Photograph and Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2017

The sky was full of mist and fog, but then the sky cleared and we saw a magnificent sunset. At the top of the mountain, the view was breathtaking. Then suddenly, the clouds opened slightly and I beheld a glorious sunset. You could see for miles in every direction and I was very excited. I felt close enough to touch God.

The beauty of the sunset touched my soul.

I hope it touches yours as well.

Namaste,

Barbara

Sunset on Mt. Mitchell, NC Photograph and Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2017

Mt. Mitchell at sunset Photograph and Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2017

Sunset in mist. Mt Mitchell, NC Photograph and Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2017

August 17, 2015 by IdealisticRebel

A Saturday Adventure

Hello everyone. I thought I would tell you and show you about our adventure. On Saturday, Maggie, my sister and myself started out on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was fascinating. Though still summer, there are many hues of green on the trees and shrubs. It was truly amazing. We went to the Folk Art Center, where local artists sell their wares and are often available to talk. Next we drove on to Black Mountain, where Maggie used to live. We had lunch with all the other tourists and took my sister to the old general store. They carry so many items. It is a huge building and it is full. Maggie hauled me over to a display of walking sticks.

Now I have my decade old cane which has a wizard carved into it. I keep refusing to get other sticks, but they both were hounding me and I did find one I like. They Amy found a matching one. They are from the Great Smokies and have bear prints on them. Amy told me they would be great for “off roading.” In other words, when they get me to leave solid ground for a trail. These beauties were the least expensive I have seen anywhere. So they came home with us.

I thought I would share some of my photographs from the day, with you.

Namaste, Barbara

Really cool cloud formations as twilight begins to come upon us.

The mountains here are literally layer upon layer. There is a book published that gives all the names of the mountains. It is a fairly thick book. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2015