butler bridge

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time. 
--Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister. 

Above: Butler Memorial Bridge over Watauga Lake (built 1948)

Effort

The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.
--Author Unknown.

This past October, a new bridge was completed on the Appalachian Trail leading to Laurel Fork Falls from Dennis Cove Road. The new "Koonford Bridge" is in the same location as the older, narrow bridge in the Laurel Fork Gorge. Though considerably wider, I'm glad they kept the handrails on just one side, just like the older bridge. This wasn't just a replacement project -- in order to accommodate the new, wider bridge, volunteers had to first widen and raise the stone support piers. Here is a link to a series of videos showing the dedicated volunteers who made this happen. The new bridge is very impressive both in its scale and craftsmanship. Sixty-six feet in length, it took about two months to complete.

Some of you might remember that back in January of 1998 the central section of the old bridge was washed away in a flood and quickly replaced by a crew of volunteers.  That 'quick fix' held up really well for 16 years.

idle time

It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.
--Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) English writer and humorist.

The Covered Bridge at the Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens in Unicoi, TN (taken last February).

time-tested

“I know you have been critically looking at the mores and customs of the past and questioning their value. Every generation does that. But don't discard the time-tested values upon which civilization has been built just because they are old.” --Ronald Reagan

This old railroad bridge spans the Nolichucky River in Unicoi County, TN just south of Erwin. It replaced the original wood bridge in 1908. Here's the view from the Appalachian Trail high above.

Rollin'

Nothing that is can pause or stay;
The moon will wax, the moon will wane,
The mist and cloud will turn to rain,
The rain to mist and cloud again,
Tomorrow be today.
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Above: Bridge at The Laurels Picnic Area after a heavy rain. Dry Creek, as it is known, is certainly not living up to its name.

Directions: From Johnson City, TN, take I-26 east to Okolona exit (#27). Turn left, drive under I-26 to TN 359 (S. Roan St.). Turn left (toward Johnson City) and drive 0.2 miles. Then turn right onto TN 359 (Okolona Rd). Travel 1.4 miles, then turn right onto TN 361 (Laurels Rd.) and travel for 3.7 miles to The Laurels which will be on your right. 

connections

Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.
--Saint Augustine (354-430) bishop and theologian.

Above: Butler Bridge, built in 1948.

cover them with kindness

Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers. 
--author unknown. 

We ended up with about eight inches of snow in Unicoi, TN - more than enough to make most people hunker down yesterday. I did manage to get out and take some photos late in the day. This is of the covered bridge visible from Unicoi Drive between Johnson City and Unicoi.

rock creek cascade

A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen. 
--Edward de Bono (b.1933) author. 

I set out to take some photos today at Rock Creek Park. Camera charged? check. Backpack? check. Tripod? check. Memory card? Umm...oops.  Of course, I discovered this while composing a different photo standing in the creek, camera set upon the tripod. So here is a photo from my trusty backup, the iPhone.  It did pretty well, and weighed a whole lot less. Image quality... well, fortunately I can see a difference. That's good, otherwise I've wasted lots of money on lenses! Anyway... the intention was there to take a quality image. I like this angle of the walkway at Rock Creek Park outside of Erwin, TN. If memory serves, I'll be back. :)

a true friend

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; 
feels your fears but fortifies your faith; 
sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; 
recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.
--William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) American author, pastor and teacher

many more hills to climb

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. 
--Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) South African President. 

For directions to this overlook of the Nolichucky River along the Appalachian Trail, click here.

2014 Appalachian Treks Calendar

Just in time for Christmas...The 2014 Appalachian Treks Calendar. This twelve-month calendar features a different landscape each month of a beautiful scene from the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. The calendar is spiral bound, measures approximately 11"x17" when opened, and is printed on high-quality card stock.

Give the gift of Appy Treks this Christmas!  :) 

On the cover...the Doe River passes under a footbridge outside of Hampton, TN. Visit the link above to preview the other images from the calendar!  It's a perfect gift for those who love Appalachia and the great outdoors.  Order now and receive 10% off.

old timer

Darn the wheel of the world! Why must it continually turn over? Where is the reverse gear?
--Jack London (1876-1916) American author, journalist.

This train trestle spans the Nolichucky River in Unicoi County, TN just south of Erwin. It replaced the original wood bridge in 1908. It wasn't until after I took the photo I realized there are two young people hanging out under the tracks on the middle pillar.  Makes me nervous thinking what they had to do to get under there. Yikes!  For a photo of the tracks from above click here. And here's the view from the Appalachian Trail high above.

Vintage

This impressive railroad viaduct over Boones Creek Road in Johnson City, TN was built in 1908. The VW Bus ahead of me was built in 1973. :)

balance

Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being.  
--Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924) American author. 
 
The Farmhouse Gallery and Gardens in Unicoi, TN played host to an intercollegiate cycling competition before Christmas.

swinging bridge

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
--Irving Mills (1894-1985) Music Publisher and Lyricist.

A swinging bridge across Big Rock Creek in Mitchell County, NC.

engineering marvel

Engineering is the art of modelling materials we do not wholly understand, into shapes we cannot precisely analyse so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess, in such a way that the public has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance.
--Dr. A.R. Dykes, British Institution of Structural Engineers, 1976.

The Linn Cove Viaduct is indeed an engineering marvel -- cantilevered, twisting and floating its way around the mountain in tip-toe fashion so as to not disturb the sleeping Grandfather. 

To learn more about this marvelous section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the fascinating story of how it came to be, click here.

gratitude

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.
--E. E. Cummings (1894-1962) American poet. 

My friend Adam crossing a Tanawha Trail bridge leading to the Rough Ridge Overlook (located at Mile 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway).

looking back

When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. 
--Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister

Another view of Boone Fork Bridge.

$5 Bridge

Some interesting history of the Elizabethton Covered Bridge (built in 1882) found at the Tennessee Department of Transportation website:

After county officials were unable to find a bridge contractor, a local doctor, E.E. Hunter, accepted the contract and hired experienced people to work on the bridge. Hunter selected Thomas Matson, who had been an engineer for the Narrow Gauge (Tweetsie) Railroad as an engineer and architect. Hunter referred to the bridge as his "$5 bridge" since he made a profit of $5 as contractor.... Structurally, the bridge contains one span, a covered wooden Howe Truss that is 137 feet long. The total length is 154.3 feet. The bridge contains one traffic lane and a single walkway.

Give the gift of Appy Treks this Christmas -- 2011 Calendar on sale here!  :)

strength

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.
--unknown

The Covered Bridge in Elizabethton, TN, built in 1882.