slow down

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.
--Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) entertainer and songwriter. 

golden moment

To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.
--Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English Poet, Critic and Writer. 

beauty everywhere

To the artist there is never anything ugly in nature.
--Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) French sculptor

hidden talents

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do. 
--François de la Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French author.  

The view of Linville Gorge and Hawksbill Mountain from Wiseman's View.  Click here for more discussion and directions to this spectacular overlook near Linville Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Chestoa View

A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints. 
--Wilfred Peterson (1900-1995) author. 

Chestoa View Overlook is located at Mile 320 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, near two of the most spectacular waterfalls on or near the parkway...Linville Falls (Mile 316.4) and Crabtree Falls (Mile 339.5). There are so many pulloffs and overlooks along the parkway, it's hard to know which ones are worth the stop. Chestoa is definitely one of them.  It offers a terrific view of Linville Gorge, including Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock -- and while there are great views to be had around nearly ever bend of the parkway, this one is exceptional. And it's only a hop, skip and a jump from the parking area -- only about 100 yards down an easy stair-stepped path.  For those who need more of a leg stretcher, there's a 0.6 mile trail (rated as 'easy') that leads to more views.  But the best view to be had is the one from the viewing platform you see above.  While you're in the area, I also recommend stopping off at Wiseman's Overlook to take in the beauty of Linville Gorge (but I recommend a high clearance vehicle for that one).

I don't know who the man is in my photo.  I was actually getting set up to take the photo, after waiting for various groups to leave, when he jumped into my shot.  To be honest, I was a little frustrated at first, but then I realized it was a better shot with him in there. :)  So thank you, my Russian friend.

More Chestoa View images here.

nostalgia

The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealized past. 
--Robertson Davies (1913-1995) author. 

Here's a shot I took today of Grandfather Mountain - from my favorite angle, under my favorite tree in MacRae Meadows. I decided to give it the texturized treatment where I added an old film look just for something different.  Back in December of 2009, the trees in the picnic/camping area of MacRae Meadows were severely damaged by an ice storm, click here to see the destruction.  They've done a wonderful job cleaning up and sprucing up the area which is the site of the annual Highland Games each July.

trust.

Trust is not just the foundation of leadership, it's the speed at which leadership operates. --John Maxwell (b.1947) Christian author, speaker, and pastor. 

The footbridge leading to Osceola Island on the South Holston River near Bristol, TN.

beauteous

Beauty, unaccompanied by virtue, is as a flower without perfume.
--French proverb

courage

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.
--George S. Patton (1885-1945) US Army General

In Stillness and Simplicity

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is.
--Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) Christian missionary to India. 

A scene from Rocky Fork in Unicoi County, TN. Click here to listen to Michael Card's song, In Stillness and Simplicity.

hold on loosely

I have learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands. --Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) Holocaust survivor and author.

Appalachian Wineries

I was excited to (finally!) visit the two wineries located here in the Tri-Cities region of Northeast TN. They're in very close proximity to one another, just off of Interstate 81 near Blountville and the Tri-Cities Airport -- making for a very easy and fun destination to visit with friends and family. Both offer free wine tastings and reasonably priced bottles of many different varieties of wines for purchase. I've listed the names, locations and store hours below -- Check them out!  (P.S. For those in the high country of NC...check out the wonderful winery located in Banner Elk, NC!)

Countryside Vineyards and Winery
658 Henry Harr Road
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-1660
Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm, Sundays 1 pm - 6 pm.

Corey Ippolito Vineyards (pictured above)
533 Rogers Oakdale Private Drive
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-1241
Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm, Sundays by appointment.

Directions: Take Interstate 81 to exit 63 (Tri-City Airport Exit) take exit, at end of ramp turn north, go past the Kingsport water tower take 3rd left onto Henry Harr Road. Countryside Vineyards and Winery is 0.7 mile on left. After visiting there, continue on Henry Harr Road another 0.2 miles and turn right onto Rogers Oakdale Dr., follow this road around for 0.35 miles to the entrance to Corey ippolito Winery on your left.

Here's a map I put together of other wineries in our region. Let me know if you know of others to include.

View Appalachian Wineries in a larger map