Backbone Rock Tunnel

Backbone Rock tunnel near Shady Valley, Tennessee. Known as the shortest tunnel in the world, it was blasted through to make way for the Beaver Dam Railroad in 1901. This part of the Holston Mountain outcrop is 75 feet high and 22 feet thick. The railroad continued operation until 1918, when the lumber and manganese ore played out. In the early 1930s, the tunnel was widened for two lane Highway 133 to permit car travel between Damascus, Virginia and Shady Valley, Tennessee.

Bush MIll

Located in Nickelsville, Virginia, the original mill was built in 1831, but burned down later in 1895. Rebuilt thereafter, it operated as a commercial grist mill until the 1970s. It is still an operating mill and is open for visitors every Memorial Day and the 1st Saturday in October.

Roan Mountain Rhodos

Catabwa rhododendrons in full bloom in this view of the Blue Ridge from Roan Mountain. Catabwas usually bloom from May to June at this elevation in the Blue Ridge mountains

Far Blue Mountains

An early spring sunrise reflected off of the clouds in the Blue Ridge mountains of Ashe County, North Carolina.

Backporch

Backporch of Mast Store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina

James River Reflections

Reflection of the mountains in the idyllic James River at milepost 60.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Grimes Cabin

Old Cabin hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Ashe County North Carolina - originally owned by the Grimes family

New River Fog

A light fog settles over the south fork of the New River on a warm winter morning in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.

Bobwhite Bridge

The Bobwhite covered bridge in Patrick County, near Woolwine, Virginia. Sadly, this bridge washed away in a flood on 29 September, 2015. Thus, I am glad to have taken this photo in the spring of 2014 to have preserved the memory of this venerable

Daybreak

Beautiful winter sunrise in the Blue Ridge mountains in Ashe County, North Carolina.

Dovetail

Corner of Pucket's cabin on the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 190) showing an intricately fashioned dovetail joint.

Mountain Laurels

Mountain laurels in full bloom in the Blue Ridge mountains.

I Am All Ears

A curious doe poses for a nice portrait along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

Mountain Rosebay

Rosebay rhododendrons in full bloom along the Blue Ridge Parkway of North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Escape

Trail head for the Grassy Gap trail just south of Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Ashe County, North Carolina.

No Privacy

Ravages of time have taken their toll on this vestige from yesterday in Grayson County, Virginia.

Majestic Sky

A "Majestic Sunset" on the evening of the Super Moon. The moon turned out to be less than photogenic that night, but the sunset was gorgeous! Photo taken from the "Lump Overlook" at milepost 264.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass falls in the Pisgah National Forest of the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina.

Mayberry Trading Post

The Mayberry General store in Mayberry, Virginia. Built in 1892, it still operates as a general store just off of milepost 180 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mayberry, Virginia is thought to be the place that was the origin of the town of the same name in the famous American television sitcom, the "Andy Griffith Show". Andy's grandparents lived in Mayberry, Virginia and Andy visited their many times during his childhood.

Friday Night Jamboree

The Floyd Country Store, in Floyd, Virginia is the site of the famous "Friday Night Jamboree". It has become a traditional gathering place on Friday nights for musicians, dancers, and visitors from all over the world. The Friday Night Jamboree is an outstanding and authentic experience shared by old-timers and new visitors alike. Country Living magazine identified the Floyd County Store as one of the two best places in the country to hear bluegrass music (the other place was a club in New York City). The show starts on Friday nights at 6:30 and ends around 10:30 when they close. Admission is just $5.00!

Dwarf Crested Iris

The dwarf-crested Iris is a true harbinger of spring in the Blue Ridge mountains.