Blue Ridge Mountains, watercolor on 300lb paper. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a majestic and ancient range stretching roughly 550 miles along the eastern spine of the Appalachians, running from southern Pennsylvania through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and into northern Georgia. One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, they are characterized by their soft, rounded peaks draped in dense hardwood and evergreen forests that shift through breathtaking seasonal colors — from the lush greens of summer to the fiery reds, oranges, and golds of autumn. Their name comes from the distinctive bluish haze that hangs over the ridges, caused by the release of isoprene from the vast tree canopy, giving the landscape an almost dreamlike, layered appearance from a distance. The range is home to the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic roadway often called "America's Favorite Drive," as well as Shenandoah National Park and portions of the Appalachian Trail. Rich in biodiversity, cultural history, and natural beauty, the Blue Ridge Mountains have long been a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and nature lovers alike.
