Clear again

We had a good amount of rain this week, but it's clear (and cooler ) again....Hiwassee Lake is still extremely low, even for winter.
The big sailboat at the marina at Bear Paw has been moved way out to the farthest dock; before the lake started going down in early summer it was docked near the current waterline.

It's January

And the latest Christmas tree has found a new home on the hillside,

Joining the trees from our first and third years here, nearby:

And the second year's tree, lit up with green LEDs this season.

And, for a great start to the new year, fiber optic cable has been installed along our driveway. High speed soon!

City views

On a gloomy Saturday in Chattanooga, the carousel and playing fields in Coolidge Park.View of the new Market Street Bridge, Ross' Landing and Lookout Mountain.
Walnut St. Bridge and the Bluff Arts district beyond it.
The new bridge was totally rebuilt and reopened this fall.
After the blast of cold and snow this week, the warmer weather is welcomed, even if the sun disappeared most of the day. There was even a little rain overnight, and more expected this week, along with even warmer temps.

Coldest day of the year so far

The snow barely melted yesterday....
It's amazing to see where the birds go when you don't see them. We see a lot at the feeders but had no idea they walk all over the decks and doorways too.
Hard to find water to drink....

At nearly 11 am, it's still only about 12 degrees. It was 5 not long after dawn....

A bit of snow

There was enough overnight to cover the hills around here, but down in Murphy there was only a sprinkling. And, although it's not getting above freezing today it isn't lasting.




Before,
during (around midnight),
and after, a Towhee searches for fallen seed.

It's always a surprise when winter exposes the new houses on the ridgetops; even more so when snow sets them off. This one was built this summer but we have only recently been seeing a strong light (a friend calls them 'insecurity lights') on the hill, and the outline of a house where we never saw anything but trees before. Wish we could turn back the clock......or that ridgetop homeowners would at least cut less trees and use smaller lights.

Not snow yet

But the Southeast is having a very foggy day, today, before the cold hits.

Sun for a day

Amazing light over the mountains last evening....




...and the Christmas decorations on the Cherokee County courthouse, yesterday. We went back today (had to pay the property tax, and they were closed yesterday) and the wreaths and all the poinsettias were gone.

A rainy Christmas day

Christmas eve, at Crane Creek Vineyards.

A gorgeous December day

With temps around 70 and pure sunshine, a good day for a backwoods ride in the northwest reaches of Cherokee County, passing by Apalachia Lake at one point:



First day of sun in several days. The rain hasn't been enough to make the creeks flow any faster, but there may be more later this week....and maybe cold.

Car show in the drizzle

In Blue Ridge, Ga, the Saturday car show was nearly rained out. It's a big part of life around here, you find these old cars on display on many weekends, somewhere:

Another courthouse

Union County, Georgia, the old courthouse in downtown Blairsville, used now as a museum and concert hall. All dressed up for the holidays.

Sunday at the Folk School

The view from the John C. Campbell Folk School is spectacular, even on a threatening day:

Inside, the annual Fireside Sale brings crafters back to the school to display their beautiful things.

Saturday afternoon in Hayesville

Quiet time after stores close and before the holiday parade: the old courthouse:


the People's Store, closed since death of the owner a couple years back, has been reopened as a museum. Too bad it was closed, looked pretty interesting inside:

In the old days, several men would be gathered out here, chewing the fat:

This photo was taken inside about 5 years ago.