On the lake

Indian Summer on Lake Hiwassee. Since in our former life we were sailors and boaters, one reason we chose this area was for all the lakes. But this one, the one nearest home, is the best. It's 22 miles of mostly wilderness. 

Pretty nice for late November. 

Hate to see the bare shoreline, but the exposed rocks are interesting and sometimes you get a view like this. 

Surprising number of boats out yesterday, of course most of them fishing.... 

With the water down, the few houses near the water have seen their docks become stranded. 

The lake is surrounded by Forest Service land so there are no houses except on one peninsula, the Bear Paw development. You can see them now that the leaves are gone.... 

At the marina: a traffic jam with two pontoon boats arriving at once. 

There are even a couple of sailboats here: one is really big for this narrow but long lake. 

This time of year, the Forest Service ramp is a lot longer, as the lake has been lowered for winter. 

Started out frosty. 

Thanksgiving

This is Apalachia Lake. We had a quiet day Thanksgiving, so took advantage of the chance to take a ride to enjoy the beautiful weather and the mountains. Afterward, plenty of time to roast the turkey in the charcoal grill, basted with olive oil. lime, orange and herbs for a great dinner. Apple pie from local apples, of course. 

Along Shuler Creek. 

Clear cold water. 

I took a video of this, too, just for the sound of the tumbling water. 

View of the mountains south of the Hiwassee River. 

Top of Unicoi Gap, where the Unicoi Turnpike crossed the Appalachians. Lowest gap across the entire chain, the sign says, so it was the oldest and busiest route from coastal SC and GA to Tennessee. They're developing a trail, but too bad this point is crossed by power transmission lines from Hiwassee Dam, about 5 miles south of here. 

Cabin along Coker Creek. 

From Buck Bald, looking West at Chilhowee Mountain and the gap where the Hiwassee River enters the Tennessee Valley. 

Susan asked if the Henn Theater was still there. Yes, it is, just a bit further down Tennessee Street than I showed in the photo. I also posted a picture of the theater last May.
Henn website: www.henntheater.com.
 

Saturday, a beautiful sunny day: downtown Murphy. 

Friday: Cold but nice day along the Ocoee River in Tennessee: Parksville Lake and the Cohutta/Big Frog mountains. 

1912 dam on the Ocoee, and Sugar Loaf. 

Winter sunset. Along US 64/74 near Ducktown, TN. 

One last tree with leaves, still stands out despite the dreary weather. 

Changing November

Clear but hazy, Friday.