Great Smoky Mountains National Park

These are just some shots from our excursion to Cataloochee on Tuesday of this week.  It was such a gorgeous day in WNC and Cataloochee is a beautiful and interesting place.  There is a film at the Palmer House that was put together by people who actually lived in the valley, and you can visit all the various buildings that are still standing.

 There is an overlook here where you can stop and view the valley from above.  The drive to this area is exciting, to say the least.  Often only a one-lane gravel road so you have to be careful of oncoming traffic.  Surely wouldn't want to fall or be pushed off this road either.  When we reached the overlook, the road was once more paved and marked--a sigh of relief.  We saw several hunters along the way and we stopped to ask one of the trucks what they were hunting, only to find that they were hunting for their lost dogs.

We love the NC mountains and certainly enjoyed this trip to Cataloochee.  Go there to see for yourself--well-worth the trip.

Cataloochee Valley

On Tuesday as the skies finally began to clear, we jumped (hee-hee) out of bed bright and early and headed for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, specifically Cataloochee.  Elk have been reintroduced into the park and we hoped to see Elk while we were there as well as some colorful mountain viewing.  Our hopes were realized--what a gorgeous day.

We counted thirteen in this herd that included several does and calves.

 This young fella decided it was time to eat....

 ...but Mama had a different idea.

And the herd included this magnificent buck.  As we observed him watching over his herd, we wondered how he kept his head upright with that huge rack.

 The Beech Grove School is the only one of the three schools that remains.  It was built in 1901 to replace an older log building.  School days ended soon after the park was established and relocation of families to communities outside the park was completed.

 The Caldwell house.  Hiram caldwell and his family lived for a long time in the old Levi Caldwell log house.  In 1903 he decided it was time for a new home and this one was completed in 1906.

 The Palmer barn...

 The Palmer chapel....

 ...and the Palmer house.  The Palmer family landed in Cataloochee in 1848 and he, his wife and their descendants became one of the most prosperous families in Cataloochee

Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, Travelers Rest, SC

Despite a very cloudy, rainy day in October, we decided to do a little "rakin' around," as my mom used to say.  We headed down Highway 25 toward SC and chose to take a road untraveled (by us) to see some new sights.  Along the way, we saw a sign to the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, so we took a right onto Highway 42.  We saw an area where cars could park and some hiking trails, so we stopped to investigate.

 

This is a 183-year old arched stone bridge and is believed to be the oldest surviving bridge in SC.  It was built in 1820 and was on the state road from Greenville, SC, to Asheville, NC.

 As we descended the stairway leading to the hiking trail, we saw the upper portion of the bridge--interesting, for sure,but nothing like what we saw underneath.

 We climbed down the side of the stream and enjoyed the pleasant water sounds of the mountain stream.

 The bridge is constructed of stone and is believed to have been designed by the same architect who designed the Washington Monument.

 There is a large bedrock underneath the bridge that allows the stream to flow on down the mountain without erosion problems.

 There is a large archway over the stream that reminds us of a cathedral opening.

 And the stream flows on its way, carrying along with it lots of falling leaves reminding us that fall has arrived.

This was a very enjoyable visit--the rain even stopped for a bit so we could explore and photograph, but it soon started again causing us to head for the car.  Indeed a beautiful and historic place.

Mainely Maine

On a very foggy July 3rd morning, we headed over to Bailey Island to revisit Land's End.  The weather forecast had promised lifting fog that did happen for a short period of time and then the fog just rolled back into the bays.  Despite poor visibility, the lobstermen were out checking their traps early in the morning.

 At Land's End, this statue is a reminder of the hard work of the men who harvest these delectable creatures for our dining pleasure.

 Back down at Arnold's Point, the fog was beginning to lift and the harbor was bustling with people getting ready to head out for fishing or lobster harvesting.

 Up on the hill, some folks make other uses of their boats.

Non-Mainers are fascinated as they watch the lobstermen checking their traps.

Speaking of lobster traps--these rascals are easy in, impossible out.

Clearing skies--although this was short-lived.

We were happy to see that our favorite little lobster shack is still standing and even sporting a new roof.

Even though foggy conditions did hamper visibility, we still enjoyed another visit to this beautiful island.

Experiencing New York State

 Opus 40  Saugerties, New York.  This is a monumental environmental sculpture rising out of an abandoned bluestone quarry.  It covers more than six acres and is made of hundreds of thousands of tons of finely fitted bluestone, constructed stone by stone by the work of one man:  Sculptor Harvey Fite.

 You can walk through, around and over it, from the recesses of the lower pathways, around pools and fountains and up to the nine-ton monolith that is the center of Opus 40.

 This structure is so massive that it's impossible to capture with the camera--you must experience it first-hand.

 Throughout the grounds, as here by this pool, Fite's sculptures have their home.  This is The Bather and the statue on the other side of the pool by the fountain is named Child.

 I should have taken more time with this photo--just one quick shot and I was off.  This is named the Seated Pyramid.  It is actually a bench where you can sit overlooking a pond with the Opus 40 in the foreground.  It is treated wood and a distorted mirror--simple and amazing.

 "Tomorrow" stands guard over a second pool near the residence.

 This is one of the subterranean passageways where you can see the construction of the piece.  There is no mortar--only stone holding stone and each one put in place by one man, Harvey Fite.

 Another passageway leading to another stairway--shown below

There are two memorial stones near the entrance ramp bearing the artist's name and dates, along with one for his wife, Barbara.  Their ashes were scattered over the sculpture.   Harvey Fite was tragically killed when he fell into the quarry after working on this piece for 37 years, leaving it 3 years short of completion.

There is also a museum on site that contains more of Fite's work as well as quarrying equipment and tools.  The Fite residence that you can see in the rear of the second photograph is still occupied by his family.  What an awesome place to visit.

Magnolia Gardens

During a recent visit to Charleston, SC, we visited the beautiful Magnolia Gardens.  While the gardens were not at their peak, they were certainly beautiful nonetheless.

 The bamboo garden, white bridge, pink azalea and cypress trees make quite a contrast

 while the fruit trees present their contrast against the beautiful blue sky

 This garden has lots of bridges and it was impossible to get a shot of them without people crossing over

 although I almost got this one.

 The ponies and burro didn't mind posing for photos

 and the formosa azaleas (in all colors) seemed to love being the focus point

This little turtle sunning by one of the ponds was snapping away at those pesky no-seeums

and this big boy just seems to smile at the visitors.

Hunting Island State Park

It is the first day of Spring 2014, and a beautiful day.  We put together a picnic lunch and the three of us headed for Hunting Island which is near Beaufort, SC.

 At the Visitors Center, we were greeted with a fountain (nice sounds as well as pretty)

 ...and some turtles all covered with duckgrass sunning themselves on the bank.

 We drove over to the lighthouse where we enjoyed our picnic lunch...

 ...and a little beach time.  There were many people out today enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.

 We also drove over to the park pier and enjoyed the sights from that area of the park.

 This little egret entertained us with his fishing skills.  If you look closely you can see a tidbit in his beak--probably a minnow.

 This osprey was guarding the nest near the pier.  We were quite amazed at the number of osprey nests in the area.

But, what a great place to spend the day, enjoying a picnic lunch, the sunshine, or just sitting in the quiet reading a book.  Life is good indeed.