There is not a flower that opens, not a seed that falls into the ground, and not an ear of wheat that nods on the end of its stalk in the wind that does not preach and proclaim the greatness and the mercy of God to the whole world.
This is a sad view of the low water level of South Holston Lake taken from atop the dam outside of Bristol, TN. Today's Johnson City Press reports that the lake is 12 feet below its normal level for this time of year. But after the driest Spring on record, what else could we expect? The US Drought Monitor still has us listed as experiencing a "severe drought" -- what's scary is that they have two levels of severity beyond that: "extreme" and "exceptional." Let's hope the scattered thunderstorms forecast for this week will help reduce the 12 inch rain deficit we've got.
Maybe not as striking as the Catawba Rhododendron in bloom right now at the Rhododendron Gardens atop Roan Mountain, the Great Rhododendron covers the mountains of Appalachia from Maine to Georgia. Also known as the "Great Laurel," its white to pink blooms have distinctive greenish-yellow markings within them. Often when hiking the AT and other trails this time of year, the fallen blooms line the path. And if you've ever been hiking anywhere around the mountains of TN and NC, you know that it's more like a tree than a shrub, growing up to 25 feet tall and in such density as to make areas impassible.
I already posted a butterfly picture last Saturday (scroll down or click here), but as my posts this week seem to be taking on a 'photo tips' theme, another butterfly picture came to mind. This photo has been cropped. A lot. That's another benefit of digital - it's so easy to re-frame the photo, long after the butterfly has flown away. In this case, the photo was largely out of focus and was just about deleted. But then I noticed an interesting pattern of tiny flowers ringing the butterfly's colorful wings. I wish I could tell you that I saw this when I was snapping away -- but it was only later, when I had the time to really inspect the scene that this interesting detail revealed itself. So next time you're going through your photos, look twice. It's an opportunity to re-frame the scene, and create an entirely different look.
A great bit of advice I read somewhere is to use construction paper as a background when shooting flowers. For this shot, I put the camera on a tripod (very low to the ground) and held a blue folder in the background, far enough away that it would be blurred. I tried a few different colors, but ended up liking blue the best against the orange tiger lily. Another happy accident led to the picture below. I set up the tripod, looked through the viewfinder, only to find that I was way too close. But then I realized there was something very interesting in just isolating the lily's filaments (I think that's what they're called!). I guess this is all an attempt to follow scripture.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Following the driest spring on record in east Tennessee (only 5.67" of rain for this spring, including only 0.76" for all of May!), these dry fields near the Tri-Cities Airport in Sullivan County could use a good rain. While much of the area received a soaking yesterday, the airport reported only about a quarter of an inch of rain. So it comes as no surprise that the drought monitor has most of our region listed as being in a "severe drought."
This is one of the most beautiful falls in our region, and while it's a short hike from the parking area, it's actually one of the toughest falls to view. The half-mile hike is extremely steep and often very slippery. Many people have been seriously injured attempting to view these falls. You don't so much hike to the falls as you actually climb down to them -- no steps here, just rocks and tree stumps to hold onto. So while it's an amazing waterfall, this trip isn't for everyone. (I don't even bring my dog to this one!) Take your time and use caution and common sense -- for instance, wear shoes with ankle support and stay off the slippery rocks at the top of the falls! If you aren't able to visit, take a look at more of my pictures. Red Fork Falls is actually a series of eight falls. The first three photos here show various views of the main 60' waterfall. The final photo is the corkscrew that the water enters immediately after the main falls -- the water enters from the right and zig-zags through the narrow channel to another cascade. It's an amazing place to visit -- but with all the climbing, you'll be sore the next day or two! 
Directions: From I-26 take the Unicoi exit (#32). At the end of exit ramp turn east towards town. At the stop sign, turn right onto Unicoi Road (which is also known locally as the Erwin Highway) and proceed for 0.7 miles. Follow the signs pointing to the Cherokee National Forest by turning left onto Rt. 107 (Limestone Cove Road). Drive 7.8 miles, turn right on Red Fork Road (it's also referred to as Unaka Mountain Road). Proceed up the mountain for 1.2 miles to a small parking area and trail head to your right -- marked only with a big red dot on one of the trees. After a short walk down the initial part of the trail, you'll cross the creek, then turning right, you'll cross another one. Continue a short ways more and your near-vertical descent will commence!
One of the most best overlooks I've found on the Blue Ridge Parkway is at mile #302.8 just north of the Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain. It's one of those overlooks that's easy to drive by, because you can't immediately see anything but a parking area. But take the short, moderately steep 1/2 mile trail, and you'll be rewarded with magnificent views of the viaduct, Grandfather Mountain and layers of mountain ridges to the south and east. After you get to the wooden platform seen above, continue climbing another half mile and you'll be rewarded with even more breathtaking views. The trail can be slick and muddy after a rain - wear old shoes. Because of the narrowness of the path, pets are not allowed.
The trail to the lookout is part of the 13.5 mile Tanawha Trail which parallels the parkway and leads to Price Lake (Mile 297) to the north and Beacon Heights (Mile 305) to the south. Tanawha is the Cherokee word for "great hawk or eagle" -- which if fitting given the soaring views of the mountains it offers. Click here for an interactive map of the trail.
Not to be confused with Laurel Falls near Hampton, TN -- Laurel Creek Falls is a small waterfall west of Boone, NC. It is known locally as Trash Can Falls. In case you're wondering, no, it's not all junked up. Just the opposite, the setting for this waterfall is quite nice. Huge rock formations surround a cascading stream, forming pools perfect for a summer swim. While it may not be the biggest waterfall around, it gets points for its unique criss-cross affect and for its cool setting. I heard about it by reading the Blue Ridge Blog -- which is a favorite source of information, entertainment and inspiration. Thanks, Marie!
In 1901 textile magnate Moses H. Cone, also known as the Denim King, built a summer home outside of Blowing Rock, NC. Known as Flat Top Manor, today it houses the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, which sells and displays crafts from the region. The home can be accessed at mile #293 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Twenty-five miles of hiking and horse trails wind through the 3,500 acre estate of rolling hills, orchards, forests and two lakes (Bass Lake and Trout Lake). Click here to read more of the history of the park. To see my previous Bass Lake posts, click here.
Above: A peacock roaming the grounds of the Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens, located between Johnson City and Unicoi, TN. Click here to go to their website.
We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.
