strolling along

It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things. 
--Donald Miller (b. 1971) author. 

 Above: A young family out for an autumn stroll around Bass Lake, outside of Blowing Rock, NC.

autumn bouquet

Us sing and dance, make faces and give flower bouquets, trying to be loved.  You ever notice that trees do everything to git attention we do, except walk?  

--Alice Walker (b.1944) Author, The Color Purple--

I haven't been able to get out as much as I would have liked this fall, so tonight I looked through the "archives" for an autumn photos to share with you. This one from 2008 is of my friend Jesse and his dog, Buddha, walking around Bass Lake outside of Blowing Rock, NC in mid October -- a beautiful place for an autumn stroll.  

s'marvelous

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
--Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher

Bass Lake, outside of Blowing Rock, NC (click photo to enlarge).

illumination

The color of the object illuminated partakes of the color of that which illuminates it.
--Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Italian scientist and artist

Ventured into the high country of North Carolina and was not disappointed. I think I took enough photos today to keep me busy for a week or more -- The fall colors were absolutely amazing! And the good news is that it's not yet peak, so if you haven't gotten out to take a look-see, there's still time. I'd guess that next weekend will be the peak in and around Grandfather Mountain. If you're planning a visit to Grandfather Mountain or locations nearby on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I'd really recommend going during the week. But if you can't go until next weekend, then I'd plan on arriving early (8-10 am) in order to beat the crowds. If you're heading that way, here are some places to consider visiting...

Grandfather Mountain
Linn Cove Viaduct
Rough Ridge Overlook
Beacon Heights Overlook
Price Lake
Moses Cone Estate
Bass Lake
(If you have other places in the area to recommend, please leave us a comment below!)

Already at peak this weekend are the stunning maple trees lining Bass Lake (pictured above) outside of Blowing Rock, NC. What a beautiful place! The lake, which was once part of the Moses Cone estate (click here to learn more), is the perfect spot for a stroll or jog (0.7 mile loop). If you've never been there, I really recommend you check it out! To see my previous Bass Lake posts, click here.

Directions: Bass Lake is easily accessed on Route 221 south (a.k.a. Yonahlossee Road) just outside of Blowing Rock, NC. Click here for a map of the area.

Looking back: new favorites

Wow. There've been lots of discoveries in 2007 and thousands of miles logged in search of the best this region has to offer with my friend Lee of "From these Hills" fame. In this post, I've tried to pick my favorite 2007 discoveries from Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Like I said yesterday, picking favorites is always tough -- but there is one fairly objective way to decide -- that is, which places do you find yourself going back to again and again. [click the links below for additional photos, information, and directions]

1. Northeast TN: Sill Branch Falls. Once we get some more rain, you can bet I'll be heading back to Sill Branch in the Clark's Creek area of Unicoi County. It's convenient to Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville -- and a fairly short and easy hike. Above is a shot from last spring. (BTW, the final tally on the rain deficit for 2007: 18.94 inches)

2. Western NC: Bass Lake. For those from the Blowing Rock area of NC, you're probably rolling your eyes at me. Bass Lake doesn't seem like a tough one to discover -- but you'd be surprised. I had been to Blowing Rock dozens and dozens of times and driven right past all the horse trailers along the road, and never thought to venture in. I've asked some friends who are always going to Blowing Rock and Boone for shopping, if they'd ever been or heard of Bass Lake... nope. So, I'm glad I'm not the only one! Bass Lake has become a regular stop on our tours of western North Carolina -- it's always a beautiful walk at the end of the day. Here's a shot from October.

3. Southwest Virginia: Virginia Creeper Trail. Again, this is one of the best known destinations in our region of Appalachia. But for all the talk of the Creeper Trail, I'm embarrassed to say that in over 12 years of living here, I never checked it out until this fall. It's an amazing treasure -- and needs to be at the top of everyone's list for '08.

I appreciate all the kind comments and the supportive emails I've received this past year -- they really mean a lot. I have to say my favorite ones are from those who say, 'I read your blog and followed your directions and ventured out!' That's really what this is all about for me -- pointing the way and encouraging everyone who lives or visits this region to get out and explore. This has been a great year of discovery for me -- I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country -- and I can't wait to see what's around the bend in 2008!

Happy New Year!

Price Lake Sunset

Located between Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock, NC at mile 296.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Price Lake offers hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. A 2.3 mile trail loops around and offers a scenic lakeside walk.

Bass Lake Reflections

The Moses H. Cone House as seen from Bass Lake outside of Blowing Rock, NC. It looks like fall is on its way, and I think most of us are ready for the cooler temperatures after our scorching summer.

Bass Lake Waterlilies

Bass Lake

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.

Bass Lake (pictured above) is easily accessed on Route 221 south (a.k.a. Yonahlossee Road) just outside of Blowing Rock. Lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel, the lake offers a 0.7 mile loop, perfect for an evening stroll or jog -- or a great place to take the grandkid fishin'. Click here for a map of the area.

If you're heading that way, here are some places to consider visiting...
Grandfather Mountain
Linn Cove Viaduct
Rough Ridge Overlook
Beacon Heights Overlook
Price Lake
Moses Cone Estate
Bass Lake
(If you have other places in the area to recommend, please leave us a comment below!)

Holy Saturday

The women saw the tomb and how his body was laid; and they went home and prepared spices and perfumes; But they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
(Luke 23:55,56)

We set out in the April snow today to visit Valle Crucis in North Carolina. I had in mind that we'd visit the Mast General Store (which I recommend to anyone visiting the Boone or Blowing Rock area) and The Church of the Holy Cross. The church was established in 1842 and is said to be the cradle of the Episcopal Heritage in the mountains of western North Carolina. The present church (top) was built in 1926. We noticed on a flyer we picked up at Mast that there was another church marked on the map three miles away. So our next stop was St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (left) which sits in a very secluded woodland setting. Built in 1862, this beautiful church is used as a wedding chapel today. Finally, our trek took us to Blowing Rock and to the church featured in the Mitford Series books, St. Mary of the Hills. Built in 1918, the church (right) is dedicated to Susie Parker Stringfellow, who is honored with a plaque bearing these words...

She was an admirer of the beautiful

A lover of the good

A defender of the right

A foe to injustice and

A helper of distress

wherever she found it