The Thunder Hill overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Blowing Rock, is a popular spot for photographers and others willing to get up early enough to watch the sun creep above the distant ridges. This shot was made on a September morning when cloud conditions were just right to enhance the light of the sun's first rays. I was tempted to photograph the sun itself as it began to peek above the horizon, and I exposed a number of frames on that type composition this particular morning. As sometimes occurs, the shots I was most excited to see on the light table were disappointing, but certain others--including this one--were much more satisfying. Unfortunately from a photographic perspective, recent development activity in the valleys below the ridges has altered the view so much that this photograph is now basically unavailable.