09/16/2024
www.splendoroflightphotography.com
Sunset, Sept. 15, 2024
Richland Balsam, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
We were able to get up on the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday evening. I saw there were some nice clouds and a break toward the west so I was hoping for a nice sunset. We made it up to Richland Balsam, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at over 6000 feet. Up there it was a cool 55 degrees at Sunset and a decent amount of color change up with the leaves up that high. It has been exceptionally dry in this area as well, so the leaves are starting a little early especially at higher elevations with more burnished yellow tones. I found this spot up high on a rock and lined up the sunset with this beautiful balsam fir tree. The sun poked through the gap for several minutes, lighting up the sky with beautiful purple and pink hues. This section of the parkway between the Smokies and Asheville offers some of the most incredible views in the entire Appalachian chain.
Thanks for looking.