Last week, the wife and I made one of our beach trips down to Ocean Isle in North Carolina.  It is a very laid back island that's only a short drive away from the hustle and bustle of Myrtle(a drive we usually make for the outlet malls).  While I was there, I only got the camera out once!  I was basically exhausted from a busy month at work and really just wanted some R&R.  On the second day there, I even woke myself up from my own snoring after falling asleep on the beach. Here is my one time of getting up early...  

My camera was in my bag in the hotel room which was kept below 70°.  As soon as I pulled it out in the heat of the beach the glass fogged up!  I tried my best to keep the lens clean, and, in the end, I like the effect a tiny amount of fog has... the color from the sun bleeds out a little bit. 

Ocean Isle BeachSunrise on Ocean Isle Beach

There is a feeling that occurs when, after having been away for a while, you get back to your neck of the woods and really appreciate its beauty.   This happens to Ashley and I when we make the 'climb' in North Carolina up into Blue Ridge Mountains.  You can start to see for a long ways, the Classic Country radio station comes into range, the air cools by 15° and we ask ourselves... why did we even leave?

Below are my photos from Doughton Park taken over the last couple of days.  I really love living in close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It offers lots of views, cool weather, and great hikes.   

Blue Ridge MountainsMountains as see from an opening near Doughton Park

Doughton Park SunsetDoughton Park Sunset

An incredible highway...

Doughton Park SunsetDoughton Park Sunset

When I walked up to take this photo, I startled whitetail dough who was bedded down near the creek at the bottom of this photo(below).  While the pink blooms are nice, the parkway has lots of great looking Mountain Laurel blooming right now(background-right)

Blue Ridge Parkway near the Virginia North Carolina state lineBlue Ridge Parkway near the Virginia North Carolina state line

Blue Ridge Parkway near the Virginia North Carolina state lineBlue Ridge Parkway near the Virginia North Carolina state line

I found this little spot by driving REALLY slowly and peering into the trees looking for color... This was only about 75 yards from the parkway.  

Ferns and color in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Thanks for looking...