come alive

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
--Howard Thurman (1900-1981) American theologian, clergyman and activist

[click photo to enlarge]

gentle bend

When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.
--Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Roman Catholic saint

spring cleaning

Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.
--Virgil A. Kraft

a proper fit

The idea is to fit the Parkway into the mountains as if nature has put it there.
--Stanley W. Abbott (1908-1975) Chief landscape architect of the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Linn Cove Viaduct as seen from Route 221. Click here to learn more about this stunning section of the Blue Ridge Parkway which was dedicated in 1987... 19 years after the rest of the Parkway was completed.

not enough bridges

We build too many walls and not enough bridges.
--Isaac Newton (1643-1727) English physicist, mathematician and astronomer

The "Mile High Swinging Bridge" of Grandfather Mountain.

hope

Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.
--Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) American poet

Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN is an amazing place. The size and scope of the park would make you think it was a national or state park, but it's actually the largest city-owned park in the State of Tennessee. It's 3,500 acres contain a nature habitat, a planetarium, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and a large lake for fishing and 'barge' rides in the summer. It was great to see the parking lot full of cars from throughout the region -- a very good sign the park and for the city of Kingsport.

A volunteer was working with a red tailed hawk and let me get close enough to take some photos. In addition to hawks and owls, the park has habitats for wolves, otters, deer, bobcats, raccoons, snakes and turtles. Three dollars gets you in the gate, so check it out next time you're in Kingsport. Click here for hours and directions and trail maps. By the way, red tail hawks don't exactly sing, they scream. Click here to learn more about them and to hear their screeching call.

agreeable friends

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
--George Eliot (1819-1880) Pen name for Mary Ann Evans, English novelist

amongst the trees

There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.
--Minnie Aumonier

character

We should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character.
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher

Grist mill built by John P. Cable in 1870, Cades Cove.

In case you're interested...Click here for a recent Elizabethton Star article about my photography. (Note! This is a very large pdf file - 11 MB).

cherish and endure

You have to cherish the world at the same time you struggle to endure it.
--Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) American author.

With its idyllic setting, its easy to forget that life for the early settlers in beautiful Cades Cove was a daily struggle for existence. John Oliver (1793-1863) and his wife Lucretia (1795–1888), the first permanent white settlers in Cades Cove, built the above cabin in the early 1820s.

Cades Cove

Nestled within the mountains of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a valley that was once home to as many as 125 families. Today, with nearly 2 million annual visitors, Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations within the 75 year old park. An eleven mile, one way loop road takes visitors back to a time when settlers first entered the valley in the 1820s and 30s. The population of the cove grew to a high as 708 (in 1900) -- today there remain over 70 historic structures which can be explored in this tranquil pastoral setting surrounded by wooded mountains. Cades Cove is also well known for its wildlife: bears, deer, coyotes, red fox and wild turkeys (to name a few) are often seen by visitors as they explore the cove.

The peak tourist months for the park are July and October. But if you're planning a visit, note that the Cades Cove Loop Road is being resurfaced and will be closed from March 1st to April 23rd. Also, the popular park destination of Clingman's Dome will be closed until May 29th (both dates are dependent on the weather). For a park map and helpful trip planning information, click here. For a helpful guide to hiking in the Smoky's click here. I'll be posting more photos from Cades Cove this week.

look-see

Look and you will find it -- what is unsought will go undetected.
--Sophocles (c. 496-406 B.C.)

what lies within

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies with in us.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American philosopher and writer

Whitetop Mountain Road, Grayson Co., VA

wonder at the secrets

Each of us visits this Earth involuntarily, and without an invitation. For me, it is enough to wonder at the secrets.
--Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-born American Physicist

I've received a lot of feedback about this little known waterfall in Rock Creek Park outside of Erwin, TN. So maybe it's not so 'unknown' after all! Dick's Creek Falls is not the easiest to get to -- if you visit it, you'll find out how it's possible that something could be "uphill both ways." Although it's listed as Dick Creek Falls, I've been told that its more proper listing would be Dick's Creek Falls. And what's really interesting to me is the news that this is not the real Dick's Creek Falls at all -- this is Lower Dick's Creek Falls. The 'real' falls is a half mile or so upstream. I've included a photo sent into me by my Trekkie friend Cheryl (click thumbnail to enlarge). But try as I might today, I could not find the upper falls. It's pretty thick brush in those parts. So if anyone has specific, detailed directions to the upper falls, I'd greatly appreciate the help.

For directions from Rock Creek Park to the lower falls that you see above, click here.

Isn't there an easier way?!? I've also been asked if it would be easier to venture to the falls via Hwy 107 outside of Unicoi. I've done that, so I can say definitively, "No, it's not." If anyone were crazy enough to not heed my advice... you'd start at the North Indian Creek Campground entrance, where a forest service road crosses the creek (you'd actually drive through the creek). With all the downed trees, bogs, high water, etc. you'd be better off parking at the campground (after getting permission from the owner). After taking off your shoes, rolling up your pants and crossing the creek, you walk up the road which in reality is another creek bed that feeds into North Indian Creek. And just when you think you're in the clear, you realize that this area is a complete labyrinth of poorly maintained forest service roads going off in every direction -- with many very large, deep mud puddles/bogs that you have to somehow get around. With so many different unmarked roads, it would be very difficult to give accurate directions (which I won't attempt). A GPS is absolutely essential for such a hike. But honestly, I don't recommend this route. Even if you had a high clearance truck or jeep, the road is in terrible shape -- the number of downed trees, low branches and the inability to turn around means that this adventure is best for those on horseback (I'm pretty sure horseback riding is allowed in that section of the forest). But even then, I pity the horse. :) Trust me, your best bet to get to the falls is via Rock Creek Park. (If anyone knows of a better option, please let us know!)

Grayson Highlands State Park

 

With its rocky peaks, soaring spruce fir trees, sweeping balds and panoramic views, Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virginia is among the most stunning and beautiful destinations in our region. The landscape is described as something resembling Montana more than Appalachia. It truly is a unique place. But most distinctive are the wild ponies that inhabit the mountains. Located in the shadow of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson often gets second billing. But the park is truly one of the gems of southwest Virginia -- I highly recommend a visit!

There are numerous overlooks and vistas throughout the park, including Sugarland Overlook (which you pass as you enter the park), Buzzard Rock Overlook (near the gift shop parking area), Big and Little Pinnacle Overlook (trail begins immediate behind the gift shop), along with Wilburn Ridge and other rock outcroppings throughout the park.

To be honest, the wild ponies at the Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia aren't all that wild. Though park officials have policies against visitors petting and feeding the ponies, rustle a plastic wrapper and they'll come right to you. So something tells me that rule isn't strictly followed. One family I saw brought an apple for a treat -- at least it was a healthy snack. There are usually a few small herds of ponies at different parts of the park, so wander around the trails and you'll eventually find them.  Once a year the ponies are rounded up and checked out for health problems - but other than that they're pretty much left alone to graze in the beautiful Grayson Highlands. 
If visiting the for first time, I recommend driving up to the top of the mountain first to visit the gift shop. From here you can take in the views from Buzzard Rock and Little Pinnacle (both are short walks).  Then head back down and park at Massie Gap and take the Rhododendron Trail to where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail (0.8 mi). From here you can turn right and head toward a neat outcropping of rocks -- fun to climb, and great views! Or head left to where I usually encounter the ponies - and then continue heading up to Wilburn Ridge (elevation 5526) (two miles total distance). Another popular hike is to the summit of Mount Rogers (approx. 5 miles).


In the summer months, I highly recommend sunscreen and water! Ninety percent of the trails are out in the open, so the sun can take its toll very quickly! During the winter months some parts of the park are closed. However, the road to the main trail head, Massie Gap, is open all year.

More of my photos of Grayson here.
The Sherpa Guide offers a complete description of the park and various hiking trails.
Visit the official park website for maps and directions.

Directions: 
From Tri-Cities, TN: take I-81 to Exit 19 (Abingdon, VA), go east on Route 58 about 37 miles to the park entrance. It's a very windy, but scenic road, so allow plenty of time.

From Elizabethton, TN: take Highway 91 (Stony Creek Road) approximately 34 miles through Shady Valley and Backbone Rock to Damascus, VA. Once in Damascus, turn right onto US Rt. 58. Follow Rt. 58 signs and proceed 26.3 miles to the park entrance on your left. Continue on this main park road 3.5 miles to Massey Gap. (There's a $3 fee per car).