Soco Falls

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

While the interstate is the fastest way to get between our home and Asheville, North Carolina, there are many advantages to taking the back roads.  One of those back roads allows us to stop and enjoy Soco Falls, near Cherokee, North Carolina.  I got this picture of Soco Falls on a January day a couple of years ago.

Full Moon Over the Glade

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

On the evening of Monday, December 16, 2013, Betsy and I were putting away the bird feeders when we noticed the almost-full moon rising above the trees along the golf course.  I grabbed my camera and went out onto the golf course to capture this picture away from some of the trees.

Beach Grass

We had a very foggy morning one day at the beach last month.  We couldn't see much of the sky or the sea, but the grass growing on the dunes was beautiful.

Betsy Got Her Snow

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

I took this picture yesterday (Monday) morning, looking out onto the fairway behind our house.  In addition to snow, as an added bonus, Betsy got some cold temperatures.  It was six degrees when we got up, and the temperature dropped all day.

Smoky Mountain Festival of Lights

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

Every year Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has a Festival of Lights over the holidays.  As the name implies, there are many beautiful light displays for people to enjoy.  There are several water mills in the mountains around Pigeon Forge, but this one can be seen only during the holidays.

Bejeweled Trees

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

Ice on roads can be very dangerous, as can ice on trees if there is too much of it.  But a little bit of ice can be very beautiful.  We had a fast-moving ice storm move through the Glade last week, leaving a thin coating of on everything.  The afternoon sun made the trees and bushes in the empty lot across the street look as if they were adorned with diamonds.

Our First Look at Pikes Peak

(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

Betsy and I made a  big western trip last September, and Pikes Peak was our first major destination.  This was our first glimpse we got of the mountain from the  parking lot of our motel.  Betsy was especially delighted to see the snow.