Roots and Wings

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.
--Hodding Carter (1907-1972) Author

In this photo: The late afternoon sun on Douglas Lake made wonderful shadows upon the water.

Gone fishin'

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) author, naturalist and philosopher

Another scene taken at Douglas Lake outside of Dandridge, TN. With the lake levels way down, some interesting rock outcroppings are visible. Still, I'd rather have the lake back.

An exceptional drought

That's what they're calling it. We've gone from "severe" to "extreme" to "exceptional," which is the worse level of drought there is according to the US Drought Monitor (an 18 inch rain deficit for the year so far at Tri-Cities Airport). I took these shots in Dandridge, TN of what remains of Douglas Lake. Click on any photo to enlarge. I think the most shocking sight was seeing row upon row of boats and entire docks sitting on the dry earth/lake bed (see photo below). Also telling are the rings around the supports of James D. Hoskins Bridge which indicate normal lake levels. The forecast (if you believe they can forecast precipitation through February) is for some improvement in TN and VA, but the drought will persist in NC. Let's hope for lots and lots of precipitation this winter.