More on Fall Colors and Halloween

The above photo was taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sunday, October 18th.  Colors were brilliant in this cove below the parkway, but many areas were still green while others were past the peak, or completely gone.  In other words, I had to search for good colors.  Now, the colors are still fairly good here in Maggie Valley at the lower altitudes.  However, it is extremely windy today, with a cool front coming in.  We are expecting about 1 inch of rain total from this afternoon through tomorrow morning.  I am sure this weather will blow a lot of leaves off the trees.  All in all, this has been a peculiar year for leaf color.  We had lots of rain this year. (We have a surplus of 24 inches of rain this year compared to normal rainfall.)  Then we had extremely warm weather in October, actually the warmest October weather on record.  It seems that the excess of rain, combined with a warm October gave us a leaf color show that was about 10 days later than normal.

Here at the office we gave out lots of candy to the little trick ‘r treaters last evening.  Many businesses here in Maggie Valley decorated for Halloween and gave out candy.  In downtown Waynesville the town blocked off Main Street and had a Halloween block party.  Loads of little ones dressed in costume, as well as some adults.  If you get up this way often, you will find that we look for excuses to celebrate every holiday.  If there is no holiday, we make up one, or just have a craft show.  Come on up, we’ll leave the open sign on for you.