Top of the Cherohala Skyway. A fair amount of bikers for a cool Tuesday. No green up here. 

You can just see the green in the valleys creeping up the mountains. Looking toward Joyce Kilmer Forest. 

Another... 

Smokies from Fontana Lake, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad bridge over the Nantahala River section. 

On the Nantahala... 

This looks cold. 

Beautiful Reliance

Check out Fletch's photos from along the Hiwassee River in Tennessee. Beautiful.

Ah, the music!

It's MerleFest. Doc Watson will be there, and I sure would like to see him. There is a spectacular lineup of other performers, as well. I've always wanted to go to the Fest, but won't this year either. Just not good with crowds any more.
But oh, do I still miss Merle! I saw Doc and Merle several times back when I was living in DC and then NC. The Smithsonian Folklife festival, several bluegrass/folk festivals around VA, WV....I truly believed that Merle was the best guitar player ever.
My Merle story is from a friend of mine who was living in a house in Chevy Chase with several other Southern gentlemen; one night he was awakened by music from downstairs and went down to complain. 'It's Merle', one of the Sams said; 'I don't care who it is, shut up!' said the other Sam, and stormed back upstairs.
Next day he was told that a couple of the guys had met Merle Watson playing in a club downtown and invited him to the house. He was glad to come pick a few licks in their kitchen. The sleepy Sam missed it all. It was around the time I was hanging around that house quite a bit, so I guess I missed him too.

Another mountain blog:
Smokey Mountain Breakdown from Hartford, TN. Thanks to South Knox Bubba for pointing this one out. (Don't miss the possum dinner.)

After the frost

Despite the rainy, cold last few days we've been seeing the beginnings of the wildflowers. Trilliums are showing up all around. Lots of pink ones of various shades, but a few white ones too..... 

...and the first ladyslipper. There are dozens coming up in the woods around the house, but this one is a few days ahead of the rest in blooming. 

Tiny white violets have followed the violet and purple ones. 

Lilacs. We have only a couple flowers but the scent is heaven. 

Figs. This photo was taken a few days ago; the leaves are crispy now after the frost. Hope the fruits survive.... 

Come and gone

South Knox Bubba has been covering news from the president's visit to the Great Smokey Mountains. (Well, there was supposed to be a visit. The Cades Cove tour was canceled because of weather.) But Bubba , who lives near the Knoxville airport, got a spectacular photo of Air Force One.

Monday cat blogging

Biker kitty: just couldn't resist this one.  

Ode to dogwoods

NPR chooses music for dogwoods. Lovely.
(Via Subterranean Homepage Blues.)

Ours just reached full flower today. 

A party in downtown Murphy

Opening of a real estate office, great excuse to bring in the Dale Earnhart car and give away barbecue and treats. 

Kids, cars, and cotton candy. 

Bluegrass music in the sun, what better? 

A couple more photos from Chattanooga

The Bluff. At top, Hunter Museum, reopening this week with a new addition, part of Chattanooga's 21st Century Riverfront project. First exhibit: paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe. I may have to visit again, soon! 

Tennessee River.