Blue Ridge Helicopters

My parents took me on a helicopter ride over a Florida beach once when I was in elementary school.  I've always loved heights and wanted to go again for a long time.  One day Cohutta told me he had a surprise, but later apologized and said that it wouldn't work out.  The very next day, we were able to catch a ride because of a cancelled appointment.  Two trips, actually.  Score!

These pictures were taken when we were flying over Lake Blue Ridge.  Although beautiful, the water is crazy low.  Look closely and you'll notice that some of the boat docks are on dry land!

Don't you just love the little islands?  I've only been on this lake twice, but it's my favorite in terms of scenery.  Those mountains.

Cohutta is very familiar with all of the mountain names.  Here, he and the pilot (Cohutta's friend from high school) were naming the different geographic features. 

This is an aerial view of just one part of Mercier's apple orchard!  There are dozens of apple orchards here in Blue Ridge but this is the biggest and only a few minutes from the house.  Mercier's also sells other fruits and treats; I just bought some hard peach cider this weekend.  Yum.

These pictures don't even begin to do these views justice.  It was such a fun day flying around and chatting with Cohutta's old friend.  Our next journey is hiking and camping deep in the mountains.  We will be gone for the next few days, living in complete isolation!  I hope I don't step on a rattlesnake..-Kamila