Cinnamon ferns along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linnville and Blowing Rock, North Carolina, yesterday.
The same striking ferns on their backdrop of trees and mountainsides.
Grandfather Mountain in cloud.
View from the Linn Cove viaduct as we drove over it --- there was no place to stop. It's almost impossible to photograph these vistas over the mountains with any accuracy, but maybe this conveys an idea of how beautiful this one is, looking out over the waves of ridges and peaks as they go blue in the distance and hold the rising mists in their folds. I could live a thousand years and never tire of these mountains.
I look forward to more autumn color as I drive up through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley today.
Wound up wearing my Sierra over my Willow all yesterday and into the evening. It was this basic look, which I liked a lot ---
--- with my graphite Birk Melrose boots swapped for the hiking boots. In the restaurant I was so cold I put on my green merino-blend pullover as well.
So Sierra is definitely going with me as a layering option for the weekend. I've also packed Camellia --- who has had no October love at all --- because unless it's pouring down rain I'm going on an American Heritage Girls hike with my friend and her daughter in the morning. I figured I might give Willow a rest and wear that dress and leggings for the hike, with a pullover, jacket, whatever is necessary. Then when we get home I'll wear Willow for the afternoon and evening, and sleep in her if necessary to get hours in. THEN I've also packed Brooklyn as another layering alternative. I've tried her over my Willow dress, and it's not a bad look. All that, plus various cardigans, tights, etc.
The weather's looking cool and rainy everywhere, both here and there, with similar temperatures. It won't be that cold, but if there's no sun, it'll feel chilly and fallish, which is actually a plus from the dress-challenge perspective. I find I feel self-conscious about wearing the same dress day after day in the company of people I don't know well --- honestly, they probably won't notice, but I feel a little weirder about it than I would have expected after all this time.
Wearing today, therefore:
A very camouflage outfit, mostly thrifted: merino-blend pullover, linen skirt, Melrose boots.
And underneath?
She's hidden but there. If I get warm, I can take off my pullover and have Willow as a top. But meanwhile, I feel cozy and cheerful in this rare separates-type ensemble. I didn't wear this skirt much all summer, but I love it --- the pop of cherry red makes me happy.
Crazy slept-on-damp hair. And now I'd better finish packing and toss everything in the car, so that I can be off on this next adventure.