I often find myself retreating for some r&r in the NC mountains. The natural beauty of the area has always inspired me. On one our travels, we hiked the Craggy Pinnacle trail on a gloriously foggy day. Craggy Gardens is named for the tunnels of rhododendron bushes and gnarled sweet birch trees. Near the start of the trail, lives one of the most iconic landmarks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This tree, who's roots have spread out upon layers of rock and earth before borrowing into the soil, has served as a continued source of inspiration to many who encounter it. The tree has an almost human-like presence, commanding the attention of passersby. Though I hadn't painted for many years, as soon as we returned from our trip, I knew I had to capture this image while it was fresh in my mind. The misty, magical atmosphere created by the fog on that day played a large role in the overall tone of the painting. The gold embellishments represent the power and life residing in the tree.