Archive for the ‘Our World’ Category

Our World: Little River Falls

March 25, 2013
Little River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama.  March 8, 2013.

Little River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama. March 8, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them once or twice.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Earlier this month Betsy and I went to Fort Payne, Alabama, to celebrate my birthday.  One of the first places we visited was Little River Falls in Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Little River is unique in that it flows for almost its entire length along the top of Lookout Mountain.  As such it doesn’t have much depth, but there was a good water flow when we were there in March.

Betsy and I at Fall River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama.  March 8, 2013.

Betsy and I at Fall River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama. March 8, 2013.

We have been to Little River Falls before, but this time we found a new boardwalk and observation deck.  The deck allowed us to have a wonderful view of the falls.

Little River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama.  March 8, 2013.

Little River Falls, Fort Payne, Alabama. March 8, 2013.

Little River Falls is a 45-foot waterfall that marks the beginning of Little River Canyon.  The canyon is approximately eleven miles long and is up to 700 feet deep.  Little River Canyon is sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the East.”

Our World: The view from Grandfather Mountain

March 18, 2013
The mountains of western North Carolina as seen from an overlook on Grandfather Mountain.  November 8, 2011.

The mountains of western North Carolina as seen from an overlook on Grandfather Mountain. November 8, 2011.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Since Betsy and I live in Tennessee, we’re naturally fond of the Smokies.  We visit the Smoky Mountains whenever we can.

But the mountains of western North Carolina are pretty neat as well.  I lived in Black Mountain, North Carolina, for thirteen years and enjoyed exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is Grandfather Mountains.  (Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the state is in the Black Mountains.)  Betsy and I visited Grandfather Mountain in November, and I was able to capture this panorama view of the surrounding mountains from one of the overlooks.

Our World: Repulse Bay, Hong Kong

March 11, 2013
Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

All of these pictures were scanned from slides.

When I went to China the first time (1987) our first stop in Asia was Hong Kong.  Hong Kong was still under British rule at that time, and the mixture of European and Oriental influences was fascinating.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

Hong Kong was (and I believe still is) a crowded city.  But while there we visited Repulse Bay, a beautiful area which was largely unspoiled.

There are a couple of explanations for the name, Repulse Bay.  One story is that the name comes from a 19th century battle in which the British army repulsed attacking pirates.  Another story is that the bay got its name from HMS Repulse, which was stationed there in the 1840s.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, June, 1987.

Regardless of how the bay got its name, it was a beautiful, quiet spot in 1987.  My understanding is that it is now a luxurious residential area.

Our World: Cumberland Mountain

March 4, 2013
Byrd Lake, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, Tennessee.  May 15, 2011

Byrd Lake, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, Tennessee. May 15, 2011

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Cumberland Mountain State Park is a relatively small state park near Crossville, Tennessee.  The main feature of the park is Byrd Lake (above).

ByrdLakeDam11051501

The dam which forms Byrd Lake, built by the CCC. Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, Tennessee. May 15, 2011.

The lake is formed by a dam capped by seven arches carrying a road.  The dam is the largest masonry project completed by the CCC.  It was substantially rebuilt in 2010-2011.

The restaurant at Cumberland Mountain State Park.  May 15, 2011.

The restaurant at Cumberland Mountain State Park. May 15, 2011.

The park has camping sites, hiking trails, boating and a swimming pool.  One of the things we like best about Cumberland Mountain isa the restaurant overlooking the lake.  We enjoy their delicious buffets several times during the year.

Our World: King’s Bluff Trail

February 18, 2013
Betsy on the King's Bluff Loop Trail in the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas.  February 11, 2013.

Betsy on the King’s Bluff Loop Trail in the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas. February 11, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

A beautiful blue February Sky.  February 11, 2013.

A beautiful blue February Sky. February 11, 2013.

This past Monday Betsy and I hiked the King’s Bluff Loop Trail in the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas.  We had been there several years before, but it was good to go back, especially on a pretty February day under a beautiful blue sky.

King's Bluff Falls, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas.  February 11, 2013.

King’s Bluff Falls, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas. February 11, 2013.

The trail led to King’s Bluff Falls which actually had a fairly good water flow.  It was only a trickle the last time we were there.

A pedestal at the Pedestal Rock Scenic Area of Arkansas.  February 13, 2011.

A pedestal at the Pedestal Rock Scenic Area of Arkansas. February 11, 2013.

After leaving the waterfall the trail looped around to rock outcroppings that over some spectacular views of rock pedestals formed by erosion over millions of years.  Many of the pedestals have varied-colored lichen growing on the rock faces.

The hike was a wonderful way to enjoy the marvelous beauty of God’s creation.

Our World: Betsy Got Some Snow!

February 4, 2013
Snow falling at our house.  February 2, 2013.

Snow falling at our house. February 2, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Betsy finally got some snow to enjoy!  It started snowing Saturday morning and came down at a pretty good clip.  We had three or more inches by the time it was over.

Our front yard.  February 2, 2013.

Our front yard. February 2, 2013.

We didn’t have much traffic on the road in front of the house for much of the day.  The road was snow covered, as were our roses and flower beds.  The snow looked nice on the blocks of the wall near the road.

Spring flowers that have come up poking through the blanket of snow.  February 2, 2013.

Spring flowers that have come up poking through the blanket of snow. February 2, 2013.

Betsy was delighted with the snow, but I’m not sure our Spring flowers were as happy about it as Betsy was.

Our World: Little Pigeon River

January 28, 2013
Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.  January 23, 2013.

Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. January 23, 2013.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Last week Betsy and I traveled to Gatlinburg to spend a couple of days in the Smokies.  Although our trip was cut short by an impending ice storm, we still were able to enjoy the beauty of ‘our’ Smoky Mountains without the distraction of lots of traffic or tourists.

Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.  January 23, 2013.

Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. January 23, 2013.

Winter is a marvelous time to visit the park because the rivers are relatively high, and the rocky stream beds provide wonderful photographic opportunities.

Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.  January 23, 2013.

Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. January 23, 2013.

On our second morning in the Smokies we drove up Greenbrier Road along the Little Pigeon River.  Although we stopped several times for pictures, these photos were taken at the bridge where the road to Ramsey Cascade meets Greenbrier Road.

Our World: Wetumpka Falls

January 21, 2013
Wetumpka Falls, Tullahoma, Tennessee.  February 9, 2012.

Wetumpka Falls, Tullahoma, Tennessee. February 9, 2012.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

When Betsy and I go to visit Dad, we try, if at all possible, to take him out for lunch and a ride.  On one of our rides last year we came across Wetumpka Falls near Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Wetumpka Falls, Tullahoma, Tennessee.  February 9, 2012.  (Photo by Betsy.)

Wetumpka Falls, Tullahoma, Tennessee. February 9, 2012. (Photo by Betsy.)

Wetumpka Falls is in a wooded setting.  Although the stream doesn’t have much water, the result is a pretty little waterfall we enjoyed visiting.

Our World: Ocean Isle Beach

January 14, 2013
OceanIsleBeach12121106

The beach at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, as seen from the balcony of our room. December 11, 2012.

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

In December my Beautiful Bride and I made a quick trip to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  Ocean Isle is one of our favorite places to be, and it is near Calabash, North Carolina, which has some of the best seafood found on the east coast.

Sky and water off Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  December 11, 2012.

Sky and water off Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. December 11, 2012.

The weather in December isn’t always the greatest, but in December we often have the beach to ourselves.

It was overcast the afternoon we arrived in Ocean Isle, but the afternoon light, the clouds and the water made a beautiful picture.

Sunbeams breaking through the clouds at Ocean Isle Beach.  December 11, 2012.

Sunbeams breaking through the clouds at Ocean Isle Beach. December 11, 2012.

I was fortunate enough to capture some sunbeams breaking through the clouds in the late afternoon.

Our World: Mile High Swinging Bridge

January 7, 2013

The mile-high swinging bridge on Grandfather Mountain, North Carollina. November 8, 2012.

 

(Note:  All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them.)

This is my post for the Our World meme.  This meme is a second generation of My World Tuesday created by Klaus Peter and is hosted by five wonderful ladies.  To learn more about our world or to join and share your part of the world, click HERE.

Betsy and I had to go to Plan B on our November trip to Asheville, North Carolina.  Plan B included a trip to Grandfather Mountain and the Mile High Swinging Bridge.  The name ‘Mile High Swinging Bridge’ is somewhat misleading.  Although the elevation of the bridge is 5,278 feet (a mile) above sea level, the bridge spans an 80 foot deep chasm on Linville Peak of the mountain.

The Mile High Swinging Bridge as seen from the parking lot on Linville Peak. November 8, 2012.

Both Betsy and I had been to Grandfather Mountain before we met.  Back then the bridge (a suspension bridge built in 1952) really did swing.  The wooden planks and side rails weren’t anchored, and would readily swing during high winds.  In 1999 the bridge was rebuilt and galvanized steel was used for the the planks and side rails.  Furthermore, anchor cables for the planks were added.  Now the bridge doesn’t swing very much, but it does ‘sing’ during high winds.

And the winds were definitely high when we were at the bridge.  The official temperature was 35°, but the wind was so strong it was hard to stand up straight.  I don’t know what the wind chill temperature was, but my fingers were so cold it was hard to take pictures.

Betsy after crossing the Mile High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. November 8, 2012.

Even my Beautiful Bride thought it was cold.