Fishin', sorta

Our fishing drought was finally ended today by the capture of not one but two wily denizens of the deep. Our heroic struggles against these two awesome specimens was not to be sneezed at. Bek fought her Sheephead for all of 3 or 4 minutes while I battled against my "toadfish?" for well over 4 1/2 minutes, finally boating the beast.

Scrappy Girls

Getaway

Another last minute Sunday ride into the mountains of North Carolina. It was 95 degrees when I left Marion at 3:30 to head up into the "cool" mountains. Straight up Coxes Creek Road toward Spruce Pine and then a quick dodge onto the Blue Ridge Parkway at the top of the mountain and then North toward Linville. There is an instant cooling effect after you get on the Parkway from the canopy of tree limbs.

My first stop was the Orchard at Altapass. Apples played a significant role in pioneer culture, and, don't kid yourself, it took a pioneer spirit to settle this country. Scratching out enough flat, rock-free land to cultivate a garden was a major challenge. I've always marvelled at the sight of rock piles situated at the bottom of a one-time "field" that an early settler cleared to grow enough "truck" to feed his family.

This overlook also afforded a view across the North Cove valley to the mountains that rise up to the ridge overlooking the Linville Gorge and the Kistler Memorial Highway which follows this ridge for several miles down to Lake James. It's several miles across but you can see where fires burned earlier in the Spring.

This faraway view of fiery destruction is in stark contrast to the cool scenes one experiences travelling up the Parkway, even in the midst of a drought.

Below is native azalea which can be seen in many different colors.

I'm not sure what this flower is...

Below is mountain laurel which at lower elevations is bloomed out but up here is at full bloom in early June.

Christmas trees are big business up here in this country.

The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is destroying our hemlocks. This hemlock on the Linville River should be full and lush and green. Instead, the foliage is sparse and thin, the normal shade provided to the river environs gone. What the long-term effects this will have on trout streams is unknown but it probably won't be good.

Below is a healthy hemlock bough on which can be seen new growth and a healthy color.

This bough is infected. It's obviously less lush and the infestation can be seen thickly embedded on the leaves. These bugs suck the very life out of the tree. it's said that if you or your children have not seen a hemlock forest that you had better go now because in a few years they will be gone.

Grandfather Mountain, 5:30Marion, 6:15

Makes me want to go back up there!

Stack of Stuff

A few things from the last few days that need posting but with no specific theme. To try to wrap up our (my) week (few days) with Rachel and her friends on her St. Augustine birthday getaway...

Not to overdo any one particular attraction, but we feel like taking guests to Washington Oaks is worth doing and it's proving to be photogenic in every season that we've visited. We'll see what the heat of Summer is like but so far it's been a very worthwhile stop.

Here are the girls at the plantation home that's on the property.

The roses were pretty well bloomed out but there were still many opportunities for good photos. Did you notice anything different about the last few photos? I've got a new macro lens that takes very good close-ups. It's not something you would want to use for distance pictures but it's excellent for the up close stuff. I'm still learning...depth of field, etc.

Some more... Close up: Palm Trunk

I just about tripped over this guy. He looks pretty big but was probably only 3 feet long. Oh, did I mention that Washington Oaks is close to J.T.'s (home of a really good hamburger and onion rings)?It's hard to hold back on lunch when you're really hungry knowing you're going to chow down at Ruth's Chris that evening. We managed to get away on time and got there at the appointed hour despite the time it took them all to get ready. Final touches on the ride to Ponte Vedra. The very picture of savoir-faire. Are these the same girls who jumped out of the boat that day?

The next day, a quick trip to Fort Matanzas. Matanzas translates to "slaughter". Read about it here...

.....after which we had a quick lunch at The World Famous Oasis.....

.....followed by late afternoon sunbathing on the beach. My time was short by now. Even though the girls planned to stay a couple of more days, I needed to return to the mountains, for I had promised my oldest, Sarah, that I would meet her and Kristen and Lacy and IAN in Asheville for dinner Saturday night. We had a real good visit and Ian was, as is usual, very laid back...

He's a pretty cool dude, don't you think?