It’s November 9th, and fall colors are finally out in full force. They were quite late this year, and not as vibrant as years past. Our peak leaf season was supposed to be the third week of October, and it was still very green then. I took a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad with my friend Lyric, who was visiting, and her Mom, Dale. Although I live in a small tourist town, I don’t usually participate in the “touristy” things, but it’s nice to do that once in a while. We had a great time. We took the first class ride and were served lunch. We stopped in Dillsboro for some shopping and took in great scenes along the way.
**Picture of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City, NC is from Shutterstock and was taken in 2023.
Below is a shot of a pretty fall evening at our house. The sun was setting, and the moon was out. I was standing on our porch at the time. I wanted a picture of the full moon, but my phone is just not up to it. It was so much more magnificent than that.
I was told there would be a cold snap starting tomorrow, but so far I see no sign of it. My weather app tells me we will be just above freezing for one day–not cold enough for snow–and then back to 50s and 60s, so we will see. Are you getting snow in your area? EDIT: I just got a Winter Storm Alert, but it seems to be for higher elevations.
LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG
It was all Indie last week. I love that because my heart is with Indie books and authors. I posted reviews of The Weight of Snow and Regret, Amanda in Ireland, and The Washashore. I get a lot of requests from Indie authors, and my list is long, but I try to read as many as I can. I am just one woman, so it can take a long time, but I will continue to do my best to support Indie books.
NEXT WEEK ON THE BLOG
Look for reviews of Books 2 and 3 of Beth Kanell’s Winds of Freedom series, and a review of Patricia Furstenberg’s When Secrets Bloom. I will also participate in Top Ten Tuesday if time permits.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK.
**Thank you to the host of Sunday Salon, Deb at ReaderBuzz, and the host of Sunday Post, Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
That’s a beautiful picture of your view, Bonnie! Here near Lake Ontario, we usually see a lot of colors in the fall. This year, everything turned yellow all at once about a week 1/2 ago and most of the leaves fell all at once. It was weird. As for our weather (UGH!) cold, damp, and they’re calling for 3 inches of snow tomorrow. And that’s the beginning of our 6–7-month long winter:(
Brrrrr! Stock up on cocoa and marshmallows!
And goose food…haha
Sounds like a you’ve had a lovely week!
Yes, I hope you did as well.
Our autumn has been too mild, though the colours are nice.
It’s good to do touristy things when you have visitors.
Our foliage was muted this year because of the drought. But enjoyable nonetheless.
Sounds like Fall was just less colorful everywhere.
My husband and I were in southern New York yesterday, and the foliage was brilliant. Go figure!
That train is gorgeous!
On behalf of Bryson City, thank you!
I love train rides, Bonnie, but I’ve never had the option to be served lunch. Sounds fabulous and, sometimes, we need that 🙂
A childhood friend sent me a fall picture of the street where we both grew up. It was magical. I realised I haven’t seen a Romania autumn in nearly 25 years.
I’m nervous about next week, but excited too. Thank you!
I hope you get to see a Romanian autumn again!
We have snow this morning in Michigan!! It is crazy.
And I would love to take that train ride. It sounds amazing!
Stay warm! The train is fun and they have special events you can sign up for like wine tasting, etc.
The train ride sounds like fun. We live in a small tourist town too and do touristy things when we have out of town visitors. To think we had the same super moon here too. I got a picture when I walked the dogs in the early morning. Thanks for promoting us indie authors. Have a super week.
The moon was beautiful, wasn’t it!
It’s wonderful that you had such a great week, Bonnie. Riding on the train must have been nice. It looks impressive to me on the picture. The picture off your front porch is lovely. We’re having light snow today.
Thanks! We love our view. The train brings a lot of people here! They are just finishing up the Fall leaf season and starting Polar Express season, when families bring their kids, they all dress in pajamas, and experience the Polar Express story (from the movie with Tom Hanks.)
The train ride sounds delightful. I imagine its something special at Christmas.
The view from your porch looks beautiful.
Wishing you a happy reading week
Thank you Shelley!
I’d love to take a train ride (with lunch!) like that. So much fun!
You live in a beautiful spot. I’m a wee bit envious. lol
Thank you Deb! I am thankful to be living here.