Photo taken October 30, 2009

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Pumpkins in Banner Elk:

We're going to say Happy Halloween a little early and close out the Fall Color report for 2009 with a picture of pumpkins at Clemmons Produce in Banner Elk. Leaf-lookers will enjoy lots of color while driving through the foothills on the way to the High Country. Grandfather continues to be a great vantage point for looking out toward the color in the valley.

The color is the best below 3,000 feet. You'll enjoy the drive up to the High Country on US 421, US 321, NC 181 and US 221.

It' been a crazy year. You can look back at our fall color galleries from 2007 and 2008 to see how unusual it is that the high peaks have so little color left at this point in the month.