Growing up in the south and experiencing snow that actually stuck to the ground and accumulated was a rare treat. It usually meant days off from school, meeting up with friends and playing in it all day. I see a good bit more of snow since moving to Asheville several years ago and it means different things to me now but I still love it just as much. One of the things that snow means to me is that the Blue Ridge Parkway will be closed to automobile traffic and become my personal playground. I am fortunate enough to live just a short hike from the Parkway. It's a luxury that I will never take for granted and one that I use as often as possible. On February 16, 2015 a storm supplied the Asheville area with three inches of a mix of snow and ice. It was beautiful! I planned a hike with my five year old son and two good friends. We had a blast! Here are some photos. Hope you enjoy.
We headed up to the Parkway from our neighborhood.
Steep.
Arriving to the Parkway.
Taking it all in.
My buddy Greg getting a great shot!
Beautiful Rime Ice in the mountains.
More of the Rime.
Salami sandwich at 3035'.
We headed onto the Shut In Trail.
My friend Marc, In the Rime.
Beautiful Hard Rime Ice.
Looking towards Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
Enjoying a nice Biscotti snack.
Another photo opportunity.
What a hike!
You can obviously see why I love it when the Parkway is closed to cars. It takes on a tranquil rarely experienced value. I look forward to more experiences up there every winter. Thanks for checking out my blog. Here's to the next snow in the South!!