Dana Buck is the daughter of Bill’s favourite cousin, Lou Ann.  Most everyone knows that our trailer is named for her with the licence plate “LOU ANN”.  Dana lives in Atlanta, GA, about an hour & a half away. We only get to see these relatives every year or 2, which we did when both Paul’s daughters (Dana is Paul’s sister) were pregnant at the same time & we had a shower for them in Missoula MT.   These pregnancies were totally uncoordinated & they were due a month apart.  Both babies have now been born.  Hollin has a girl & Maren has a boy (1st boy in the family in 55 years, since their Dad was born!!).  These are 2 of the cutest women (look like teenagers, both of them)!  Can’t resist sending a photo of each.

Hollin & her baby, Adelyn (ADD-uh-linn) THE GIRL.

Maren w/ baby Orin (THE BOY!)

Sat. Oct. 24:  We set off right after Dana arrived (about 11:30 AM) for the Blue Ridge Parkway. What a big difference from a few days ago. Most of the colors have changed & some of the higher elevations have lost their leaves.

It was a stunning drive.

The colors are just about at full-throttle!

Sometimes a different image catches one’s eye.

There wasn’t much sun, so colors seem a little more muted.

Here are Bill & Dana.

I cooked dinner for Dana in the trailer then we chatted & went to bed early.  Since she was sleeping on the double bed made up just below the kitties’ heated baskets, they climbed all over her all night.  She was a great sport about it all, but we don’t really know if she meant it!  (She’s so sweet)  We were really happy she stayed in the trailer with us.  OUR FIRST OVERNIGHT VISITOR!

Sun. Oct. 25:  Another cloudy day, but we got an early start to the Smoky Mtns National Park.  Truly this was the most beautiful day for the colors we’ve had since we got here.

We just kept saying “wow!”

It didn’t seem real!  I finally told Bill that I didn’t need him to take me to Cape Breton to see the colours.  We used to cycle there every September, but couldn’t go in October because Bill had to be back to his job at the Banff School of Fine Arts Oct. 1st.  The hills there are very beautiful & I have seen pictures of what it looks like in prime fall colours – amazing.  But so is it here!

Some close-ups.

And another.  Despite the lack of sun, the trees seem to glow!

Even closer.

Looking through the forest is beautiful.

Looking far away also beautiful.

Last one for today.  These photos leave something to be desired, due to this limited format.  (NOPE – NOT ANY MORE – ALL GOOD!)  Next year when Bill does his photos for 2015-16, you will be able to see more & better!

Except for the 2 purple girls!

We thought we’d seen the most beautiful colours in the universe today & as we headed up the parkway, we stopped at a large parking area with more beautiful views.  A couple fo Ranger cars had come by with sirens shrieking, then a park worker’s truck came up & blocked off the road.  She turned everyone back because there had been an accident on the road & it would apparently be closed for hours.  So we had to take the long way home!  Hopefully nothing serious, but I’m afraid it was.

Dana had to leave right away when we got back.  Her dog Maggie, was at daycare & would have missed her (doesn’t like staying overnight)!  She got home safely, confirmed by her sending us an email.  What a treat to have her come to visit!  Thank you Dana – you are a gem!