The Cradle of Forestry

Fall is here!

We are still at the Cradle of Forestry near the Blue Ridge Parkway where we are volunteering, or work-camping as some call it. The temperatures are cooling down nicely and the colors are starting to appear in our daily walks. As expected, we love being here as autumn settles into western North Carolina. The jobs here at the Cradle are for the most part a nice variety of fun things: selling admissions and gift shop items, greeting visitors, giving directions, explaining the history of the Cradle, and even giving guided tours - something bashful old me never expected to love but has become my favorite job. Check, after thoroughly exhausting all the blueberry-picking opportunities in the area, has also begun working on the maintenance side of things - blowing leaves, opening and closing the buildings on display here, small repairs, etc. Only another four weeks and the Cradle will be closing down for the winter and we'll be moving on. To where, we don't yet know.

A few fall-y type photos all taken on Cradle of Forestry property...



Fall colors begin near the Black Forest Lodge



Along the Forest Festival Trail



Biltmore School of Forestry memorial - 1950



An oak tree is off to a vivid start



Forest Festival Trail bridges



Camping in the Old Style - one of several special events



Love seeing the leaves on the trails