Pileated woodpecker. Closest shot I've managed to get, so far.  

Figs. Really nice crop this year, but.... 

..the wasps and bees are eating them all. 

Railroad theme weekend

In downtown Murphy, it's the Heritage Walk & Festival. 

Reminders of railroad days. 

Crafts by the depot. 

There was great music all day: Polecat Creek. 

Great voices. 

This is Blue Ridge Grass. 

These guys are good. 

A few old tractors. 

Steam engines. 

Railroad car enthusiasts gather at the station in Blue Ridge for a trip up the tracks. (The train is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, with trips from Blue Ridge, GA, to Copperhill, TN.) 

Looks like a fun excursion. 

Very cute. 

On Nantahala Lake

Lots of houses going up here, scarring the landscape, but most of it is still protected. 

Looking towards Wayah Bald? 

This is a beautiful lake 

Going up the upper Nantahala River, far as we could go. 

Kayaking down the lake.