Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Longest days

These wildflowers along the driveway get a little better every year. Did someone plant them? The coneflowers (in front) are just starting to open.

Still dry, but at least we've been having afternoon thunderstorms this week. The last sunset light -- such as it was after this rain -- is in the NNW, where the setting sun actually faces the front deck of our house for a couple weeks a year.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Reliance, TN

Follow the Hiwassee down a few miles from the powerhouse and put-in and you get to Reliance, where you can rent a raft, kayak, or catch a ride up the river.

It's pretty idyllic here, with one store, cabins and campground spaces to rent.
If you were here in the mornings the excursion train from Etowah comes by, there's a great view of it; the rail bridge passes over one of the rafting landings.

Monday, June 18, 2007

On the Hiwassee River

View of the Hiwassee from the Big Bend.
Lots of water has been released for the rafting crowds. Does this mean the lakes above will be even lower?
Nice way to spend Father's Day....
...or this way.
The Apalachia Powerhouse and swinging bridge.

Putting in.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Sunday, June 10, 2007

AT hikers

Don't miss this great feature from the Knoxville News: a News photographer set up a makeshift studio where the Appalachian Trail crosses Davenport Gap coming out of the Smokies, and photographed hikers as they came out of the woods (in exchange for food). Lovely stuff, and their stories remind of Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods.

At least it rained...some

Friday's storms brought the first rain in a long time, and may be the last for awhile. It was pretty impressive, though:
Even the turtle wanted out of the rain.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Photos from Valle Crucis

Don't miss the two latest photos posted by Marie on Blue Ridge Blog. The deck scene, done in HDR, is fantastic. But so is the Watauga River photo.
I haven't taken any this week so far, so you'll need to visit Marie for a photo fix. Besides, hers are always better.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

On Hiwassee Lake

Lots of weekend boaters.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Another church

Near Apalachia Lake. Empty except for occasional reunion; the door is open and someone's left donations.