Back roads, sheep farms, mountain vistas of Highland County

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Highland County is also known as Virginia’s “Little Switzerland” because of its mountains and sheep. Sparsely populated, the vistas year round are exceptionally stunning but in the fall vibrant oranges, reds, and golds make the mountain slopes come alive with color. These photos were taken on September 30 when only the far western part of the county was at peak but the next week will see big changes as the autumn color show moves east. (For more photos see Fall colors brighten western Highland County.)

The Blue Grass Valley.

It was overcast and drizzly so these little guys were keeping dry under their natural umbrellas in the tree line.

The Blue Grass Valley where a renegade golden tree stands out in a field of broom straw.

Dark clouds were spitting rain throughout the day as we meandered the back roads.

Leaves were just beginning to change in central Highland. Give them another week….

Fair Lawn Farm, home of Sheriff Tim Duff and wife Terry, has been seen often on this blog in the spring when he makes maple syrup. The second weekend in October (Oct. 9-11) will be Highland County’s Hands & Harvest Fall Festival when the Duffs will again welcome guests to their farm to make apple butter in their sugaring house (see Fair Lawn Farm celebrates fall in Highland County for photos from 2014). Farms throughout the county as well as downtown Monterey will welcome visitors to visit and enjoy leaf color, crafts, entertainment, food, the old way of making apple butter, and more.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 30, 2015