Grandfather Mountain, NC Snow

Today's AP Photo shows snow at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, a place that is dear to my heart because I used to live in western N.C. At 5,684 feet above sea-level, it's a chilly 20 degrees there this afternoon and you can see that the snow from the photo is only at the top of the mountain (grandfather's face!) on the live webcam (saved image). However, temperatures have been known to dip as low as -32 F there (1985) and winds have gusted to 196 mph (1997).

Mountain Snow - November 23, 2005 - In this photo provided by Grandfather Mountain, a deer walks through the woods after a snowfall on Grandfather Mountain in Linville, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005. (AP Photo/Hugh Morton)

I think the first time I went there was probably around 1985 (but not on the day it was -32!) with my parents and grandparents. We went in my grandparents' RV, which when you're 10, is about the coolest thing there is. (Related Story: My former Project Manager at AccuWeather left last month for a life of full-time RV'ing). I'm sure I visited the mountain several more times in high school and college.

In 2004 I returned to the mountain with my family. Grandfather is famous for its views out over the Appalachians, but alas, I forgot how foggy it can be there. The entire time we were there, the very top of the mountain (where all the cool stuff is) was obscured by clouds. I uploaded some photos (see below) and I'll post more later. From left to right, they are:

1.) The Mountain Top in Fog
2.) The Mile-High Swinging Bridge in Fog
3.) My Daughter and Me At Said Bridge