beyond words

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
--Ansel Adams (1902-1984) photographer

My friend Brian at Pine Ridge Falls in the Clark's Creek area of Unicoi County, TN.

Consider the lilies...

He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And He will heal those who trust Him,
And make their hearts as gold.
--Roger Hoffman

Lily photographed at Aunt Willie's Wildflowers.

touching the divine

The perfection of any matter, the highest or the lowest, touches on the divine.
--Martin Buber (1878-1965) philosopher

observation

A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it.
--Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) American abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer

The new observation platform on Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.

down to earth

It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.
--Rachel Carson (1907-1964) American marine biologist and nature writer

Above: A wild columbine

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

Completed in 2007, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is loaded with interactive features to bring the nearly 75 year history of the parkway to life. Step into the 70 seat theater to watch a 24 minute high definition movie which tells the story about the parkway. There is also a 22-foot-long interactive map of the entire 469 mile parkway with shows the sights and sounds parkway visitors can expect to find. The $9.8 million dollar facility itself is noteworthy in that it has a 10,000 square foot 'green roof' comprised of drought resistant plants. The building was constructed utilizing the latest in environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. Click here and here for more information. Admission is free and it's open year round 9 to 5 (closed only Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Call (828) 298-5330 for more information.

The BRP Visitor Center is conveniently located at Mile 384 outside of Asheville, NC -- about a mile south of the US Route 70 entrance to the parkway (click here for map of area). If you're heading out that way, here are some other Parkway attractions in the area to consider (makes for a nice afternoon trip!)...

Mile 384 Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Mile 382 Folk Art Center
Miles 364-67 Craggy Gardens
Mile 355 Mount Mitchell

Commanding Heights

Keep your feet on the ground and your thoughts at lofty heights.
--Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981) born Mildred Lisette Norman, was an American peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on 1953, in Pasadena, California, she adopted the name "Peace Pilgrim" and walked across the United States for 28 years.

My friends Lee and Jason taking in the sights of the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens. The rhododendrons there are at peak right now -- so head on up to visit this "jewel of nature"!

Craggy Gardens

With its majestic views and beautiful rhododendrons and other wildflowers (not to mention its proximity to Asheville -- 24 miles), Craggy Gardens is one of the most popular destinations along our stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are three stops there to make...

Mile #364.1 - Craggy Pinnacle Trail. A short hike from the Craggy Dome Parking Area leads to a rocky terrace offering 360 degree views of beautiful mountain vistas. The 0.7 mile trail itself which leads to the overlook is impressive as well -- the trail winds its way through tunnels of rhododendron (right) and is lined with various wildflowers, interesting lichens, mosses, ferns and other vegetation. This is a must-see destination!

Mile #364.6 - Craggy Garden Visitor Center. Here you can take in the views, buy a gift for your favorite blogger or take the Craggy Garden's Trail to the Craggy Gardens to see the rhododendron and other wildflowers. There is a trail loop here, or you can continue on the trail to the picnic area.

Mile #367.5 - the entrance to the Craggy Garden's Picnic Area. Drive this short, winding spur for a short distance and you'll arrive at a popular picnic area -- Here you can take the Craggy Gardens Trail (which is actually a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail) through the woods to a heath bald and then on to the Visitor Center.

Click here for an excellent interactive map and for more information.

Note 1: When we arrived on Saturday (June 20th), the rhododendrons were just past their peak, although a few remained. For next year, I'm thinking a little earlier would be a good time to visit. But whatever the season, the Craggy Garden Pinnacle trail is definitely worthwhile.

Note 2: Because of repairs being made to the parkway, there is limited parking at both the Visitor's Center and the Craggy Pinnacle Parking Area.

Mount Mitchell

With an elevation of 6,684 feet Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi, nearly beating out its nearby rival mountains of Mount Craig (6,647 feet) and Clingman’s Dome (6,643 feet). A quarter-mile, paved trail leads from the parking area leads to a new, spacious observation platform which opened earlier this year. The 360 degree views are amazing – but you might want to bring a jacket—it’s always chilly and windy up there -- it is said that 8 out of 10 days visitors can expect to find the summit covered with clouds. In fact, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state of North Carolina occurred there on January 21, 1985 when the temperature plummeted to −34°F. The highest temperature ever recorded at the summit is just 81°F. Fortunately, the concession stand at the parking area sells hot chocolate.

Next to the viewing platform is the actual grave of Dr. Elisha Mitchell, the mountain's namesake (above, foreground). While a professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Mitchell traveled to the region beginning in1835 to measure mountain elevations. He was determined to show that the Black Mountains were indeed the tallest in the Appalachians. Eventually, his calculations proved that his belief was correct. However, on a trip to verify his findings, Dr. Mitchell fell from a cliff above Mitchell Falls and died on June 27, 1857. He was 64. His body was originally buried in Asheville, but moved a year later to be buried atop the mountain named in his honor.

To visit, take the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile marker 355 and follow the access road through the park to the summit parking area. Click here for detailed maps and directions, and click here and here for more discussion and information about the park.

wandering wonders

Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.
--Saint Augustine (354-430) philosopher and theologian

Above: Trail near the Roan Mountain Rhododendron Gardens.

Updates:

With all our recent rains, now is a great time to visit area waterfalls (TN / NC). A friend visited Sill Branch Falls in Unicoi Co. yesterday and said it looked amazing.

Also, I just discovered a wonderful resource for WNC - the Asheville Citizens-Times has an excellent Outdoors section, check it out here.

Roan Report

The organizers of the Roan Mountain (TN) Rhododendron Festival and the North Carolina Rhododendron Festival in Bakersville, NC usually pick just the right weekend -- and this year is no exception. A visit this weekend or anytime next week should be spectacular. While some of the rhodos are already in full bloom in the Rhododendron Gardens on top of the mountian, I'd say the majority of them could still use a few days of warmth and sun to fully open (which just so happens is our forecast for the rest of the week!).

If you visit this weekend, be sure to stop at Carver's Gap (where the rhododendrons are already at their peak) and hike up the beautiful Appalachian Trail over Round Bald and on to Jane Bald to see the stunning Flame Azalea in all their glory. Other bloomers you'll see: Bluets, Mountain Ash, and Yellow Hawkweed.

Click here for my post describing all there is to see and do on Roan Mountain, with links to individual hikes and directions. Click the festival links above for more information and schedules of events.

Related links:
Roan Mountain State Park
Friends of Roan Mountain

yawn!

Cougars are known by many different names, depending on the region: puma, mountain lion, or panther. While its range used to stretch throughout North America, today they are found only in the western US and Canada -- although a small subspecies (the Florida panther) remains in Florida everglades. Males can be eight feet long, nose to tail and weigh upwards to 200 pounds. They have an amazing vertical leap (reportedly up to 18 feet) and can run 35-45 mph. But sadly for the cougars, they lack the ability to roar like the "big cats," instead they make sounds similar to domestic cats. They can live up to 20 years in captivity (10 in the wild).

This particular cougar lives in the wilderness habitat at Grandfather Mountain, which is currently being renovated and will the closed throughout the month of June.

Cherish forever what makes you unique, 'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes.
--Bette Midler (b.1945) American Singer and Actress

Praying

I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
--Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) Missionary

Something to hold onto

No vision and you perish;
No ideal, and you're lost;
Your heart must ever cherish
Some faith at any cost.
Some hope, some dream to cling to,
Some rainbow in the sky,
Some melody to sing to,
Some service that is high.
--Harriet Du Autermont

dragonfly @ warriors' path

This may turn out to be bug week on Appy Treks -- today I found several different varieties of dragonflies on my hike at Warriors' Path State Park in Kingsport, TN. There are several trails located within the 950 acre park situated on the shores of TVA's Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River. Most are hiking trails, but they also have specific trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. Click here for directions to the park and trail maps. Warrior's Path is one of the most impressive parks in our region - the list of park offerings is extensive: swimming, boating, picnicking, camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, golf, tennis, soccer, disc golf - plus one of the most amazing playgrounds you'll ever see. If you have young children, the playground itself is well worth the drive.

dreamy and magical

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new-created in all the freshness of childhood.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) American poet

Regardless what the calendar says, it seems once the first daisy appears, it is summer.

Saint Teresa of Avila Prayer

Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours.

--attributed to Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Carmelite nun, Doctor of the Church,
monastic reformer, mystic, writer

good tidings to you

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
--John Muir (1838-1914), Naturalist and Conservationist

encircled

We clasp the hands of those that go before us, And the hands of those who come after us. We enter the little circle of each other's arms And the larger circle of lovers, Whose hands are joined in a dance, And the larger circle of all creatures, Passing in and out of life, Who move also in a dance, To a music so subtle and vast that no ear hears it Except in fragments.
--Wendell Berry (b.1934) Author

Okay, so maybe the photo of the circling turkey vulture gives this quote a different, more ominous, less inspirational meaning. But that wasn't really my intention! :)

The Autograph of God

Everywhere I find the signature, the autograph of God, and he will never deny his own handwriting. God hath set his tabernacle in the dewdrop as surely as in the sun. No man can any more create the smallest flower than he could create the greatest world.
–Joseph Parker (1830-1902)

Wild blueberry blooms.

We will always remember.

"Someday, Lis, I'll go back,'' said Private First Class Peter Robert Zanatta, of the 37th Engineer Combat Battalion, and first assault wave to hit Omaha Beach. "I'll go back, and I'll see it all again. I'll see the beach, the barricades, and the graves.'' .... Lisa Zanatta Henn began her story by quoting her father, who promised that he would return to Normandy. She ended with a promise to her father, who died 8 years ago of cancer: "I'm going there, Dad, and I'll see the beaches and the barricades and the monuments. I'll see the graves, and I'll put flowers there just like you wanted to do. I'll feel all the things you made me feel through your stories and your eyes. I'll never forget what you went through, Dad, nor will I let anyone else forget. And, Dad, I'll always be proud.''

Through the words of his loving daughter, who is here with us today, a D-day veteran has shown us the meaning of this day far better than any President can. It is enough for us to say about Private Zanatta and all the men of honor and courage who fought beside him four decades ago: We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.

--Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) 40th President of the United States

Today marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the monumental, heroic allied invasion which ultimately led to the liberation of Europe from the dark grip of tyranny. I've collected some speeches and videos to help us remember and honor the courage of the soldiers who stormed the cliffs on that fate-filled day...

Click here to watch clips of President Reagan's two magnificent speeches made on the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Click here and here to read the complete transcripts.
Click here to listen to General Eisenhower's speech to the troops the day before.

Click here to listen to President Roosevelt lead the American people in prayer on the day of the invasion.
Click here and here to listen to powerful speeches by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he rallies his nation.
Finally here is a video with D-Day footage and speeches from Reagan and General Patton.

Above: A small waterfall located above Laurel Fork Falls in Carter County, TN.

Jones Falls Revisted

Jones Falls is found along the Appalachian Trail near the TN/NC border. As I explained in greater detail in my initial post, there are different theories on which is the best way to get to this remote waterfall. Today, I went in the way I know: on the AT from the Tennessee side. But I met someone at the falls who I convinced me that the trail from Elk River Falls is the easier trail (though it takes about the same amount of time). So I'll try that one next time and will give my take on the trail coming in from the NC side. If you click on the above link, you'll find a number of very helpful comments left by fans of this unique and beautiful waterfall. Pictured here is the profile view of the top portion of the falls.

Update: Head over to RATtreks for a description of the Elk River Trail to Jones Falls.

be thou the rainbow

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.
--Lord Byron (1788-1824) British poet

Reflection

Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul.
--Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Author and Monk

Price Lake at Sunset, Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 297