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Turtle Rocks

March 4, 2010

Turtle Rocks at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas. February 24, 2010.

When Betsy and I visited Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas last week, we hiked a couple of trails which were new for us.  One of the trails was Rock House Trail, which is fairly short, but did lead us through the “Turtle Rocks” shown above.

“Turtle rocks” are mounded structures resembling a turtle shell which have been carved in thick sandstones.  Turtle Rocks are found only in Hartshorne Sandstone, which is found at several locations in the Arkansas River Valley.

It’s not known how the “turtle rocks” were created, but they are certainly are interesting.

Can you see the turtles through the trees?

As we followed another trail we spotted on “turtle” on another, as shown in the picture above.

The “Turtle Rocks” of Petit Jean certainly added to our day at the park.

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Home From Arkansas

March 1, 2010

Betsy awaiting the sunset outside our cabin on Mount Nebo. February 23, 2010.

It’s nice to be home.

Betsy and I had a wonderful few days in Arkansas.  It  is difficult to decide on a single high point for our time there.  We was the sun (something we still haven’t been able to do in Tennessee), beautiful waterfalls, glorious sunrises, majestic sunsets, and fascinating rock formations.

We stayed at our favorite cabin in Mount Nebo State Park.  In late February the sun sets directly opposite the back deck.  We did have to go to the other side of the mountain to see the sunrise, but even that was definitely worth while.

Although we stayed at Mount Nebo, we also visited Mount Magazine and Petit Jean, two other nearby state parks.  We had been to each before, but we managed to see something new in each park.

We had thought we would return to Garvan Gardens on our way to Nebo to enjoy the spring flowers, but the cold weather had delayed most of the flowers, so we decided to check out some waterfalls in the Ouachita Mountains.  We had not been in that region before, and enjoyed seeing new sights and visiting new waterfalls.

Since both of us have new cameras you can imagine the number of pictures we took  (then again, maybe you can’t!).  We’ll share some of those with you in the days ahead.

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Little River Canyon

February 18, 2010

Little River Canyon, Fort Payne, Alabama. February 14, 2010.

Little River is one of the country’s longest rivers that forms and flows for most of it’s length along the top of a mountain.  The river begins about 1900 feet above sea level on Lookout Mountain and ends at 650 above sea level at Weiss Lake.  This results in one of the most extensive canyon and gorge systems in the eastern United States containing one of the South’s clearest, wildest waterways.

Canyon Rim Drive follows the western rim of Little River Canyon for the final 11 miles of the river’s length.  There are several overlooks along the route which give wonderful views of waterfalls, rapids, canyon walls, trees, plants and birds.  At one overlook we even spotted some kayakers down in the canyon below.

I think the Little River Canyon would be beautiful any time of the year, but the water flow can be quite low during the summer months.  But if you are near Fort Payne, Alabama, I think you would enjoy Canyon Rim Drive any time of the year.

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Betsy and I took advantage of a break in the weather to go to Hendersonville to check in on my parents.  Both of my parents were in good spirits and we were able to help them with a couple of problems they’ve been having around the house.  But the most amazing thing for us was that once we got off the Plateau there was no snow to be seen!  However we came back home to snowy reality.  In fact it is snowing as I write this on Wednesday night (enough already!!!).

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I’m grateful for all the beauty of this world — in both nature and in people.

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Down Memory Lane: Garvan Gardens

February 8, 2010

Scenes from Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkansas. March 9, 2009.

When we went to Arkansas in March, 2009, we stopped a couple of places on our way to Mount Nebo.  We checked out a waterfall at Lake Catherine State Park and we also went to Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs.

We went to Garvan Gardens to check out a couple of waterfalls (aren’t you surprised?).  Garvan Gardens is The University of Arkansas’ Botanical Garden and is located on a 210-acre peninsula.  It started out as a private garden which was later donated to the University.

We found the waterfalls we were looking for — and much more.  The spring flowers were in full bloom and could be seen from many different places within the garden.  We spent a couple of hours walking through the different sections of the garden and enjoying the sights.

To see these pictures and others, click HERE.

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Down Memory Lane: Middle Prong

February 6, 2010

Scenes from the Middle Prong of Little River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. January 25, 2008.

The most-visited of our national parks is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.  The crowds can be overwhelming at times.

But it is possible to get away from the crowds even in the Smokies.  One of those lesser-visited places is the Middle Prong of Little River above Tremont.  An old logging road follows the stream for a couple  miles, offering some wonderful views of the cascades and rapids.

Betsy and I first explored Middle Prong in January, 2008.  We enjoyed it so much that we’ve been back several times since.

To see these pictures and others, click HERE.

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I’m grateful that a health scare involving my mother was a false alarm and that she is feeling much better.

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Down Memory Lane: Beach Honeymoon

January 25, 2010

Scenes from our beach honeymoon. June, 2001.

When Betsy and I got married in June, 2001, I still owned a house in Little River, South Carolina.  I had lived in Little River when working in North Myrtle Beach, and I had not been able to sell it when I moved to Tennessee.

Since Betsy likes the beach, we decided to spend the week after our wedding in Little River.  I had discovered a couple of beaches across the state line in North Carolina that I was eager to share with Betsy.  We spent a couple of days at Sunset Beach, which turned out to be our favorite beach.

Little River was a little fishing village on the Intracoastal Waterway.  While fishing is still a big part of the local economy, there are other attractions for tourists as well.  Casino boats dock in Little River and take people out beyond the three mile limit so they can legally gamble.  We didn’t take a cruise on a casino boat, but we did take a cruise on a jet-powered boat, the Sea Screamer, out into the Atlantic and down the coast toward Myrtle Beach.

It’s definitely not beach weather in Tennessee now, but I feel warmer just looking over these photos again.  To see these pictures and others, click HERE.

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I’m grateful for each and every moment with my Beautiful Bride.

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Down Memory Lane: Shirley Plantation

January 18, 2010

Our visit to Shirley Plantation, Virginia. June 23, 2007.

While we were in Virginia back in 2007, we visited Shirley Plantation, located on the James River between Williamsburg and Richmond.

Shirley Plantation is Virginia’s first plantation (1613), established by royal grant only six years after John Smith’s settlement at Jamestown.  Shirley Plantation is the oldest family-owned business in North America dating back to 1638.  Construction of the present mansion began in 1723 when Elizabeth Hill, great-grandaughter of Edward Hill, the first owner, married John Carter, eldest son of Robert “King” Carter.  Completed in 1738, the mansion, referred to as the “Great House,” is largely in its original state and is owned, operated, and lived in by direct descendants of Edward Hill.

I really wanted to see Shirley because Anne Hill Carter, the mother of Robert E. Lee, was born at Shirley.  She married Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee in the parlor at Shirley.  George Washington was one of the wedding guests.

Robert E. Lee spent quite a bit of time at Shirley as a youngster, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see this house and grounds.

To see these pictures and others, click HERE.

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I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit historical places and experience where events in our past took places.

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On the Road Again

December 10, 2009

Betsy at Lower Spivey Falls, Ernestville, Tennessee. November 27, 2009.

Betsy and I have planned a long weekend in western North Carolina to visit some of the sites that we’ve wanted to see but haven’t had the opportunity until now.  It’s an opportunity to get away before things get too hectic because of Christmas.

So I’m going to be out of pocket for a few days.  We may have an some access to the internet while we’re gone, so I’ll do my best to visit you.

I hope we have good weather and that you have the weather you wish for at this time of year.  I also hope we all have a wonderful weekend.  I’ll post again when we get back.

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Look What Got Between Betsy and Me

October 26, 2009
The rock slide on I-40, October 25, 2009. Photo by wpsa.com

The rock slide on I-40, October 25, 2009. Photo by wpsa.com

Yesterday (Sunday) started at an early hour for me.  I knew Betsy had to check out of the cabin in Maggie Valley at 9 o’clock (ignoring the time change).  I also know that it took three hours to get from Maggie Valley to the house on Tuesday.  So I set the alarm for 4 o’clock and was on the road before five.  I would get there to Maggie Valley with an hour to spare.

Everything went well until about 7 o’clock , as I was approaching Newport, Tennessee.  Flashing lights, a police car and a fire truck announced that there was a problem up ahead.  It turns out that there had been a major rock slide on I-40 at about 2 o’clock Sunday morning.  The rock slide caused about 30 miles of the interstate to be closed.  The closed section runs through the Pigeon River Gorge and is just about the only way to get through that part of the mountains.

There were volunteers giving directions, but unfortunately they didn’t agree on the way to get from where I was to Maggie Valley.  Following one set of directions took me in a circle and brought me back to the exit where I had to get off.  Our GPS can select a route by the shortest distance or by the faster time.  Both routes used the closed section of the interstate.  I finally gave up and took a route that I knew would get me there — eventually.  To make a long story (and trip) short, I finally got to the cabin just before 11 o’clock.  That three hour trip took six hours.

Fortunately Betsy hadn’t given up on me and I got reunited with my Beautiful Bride.  Since  the interstate was closed we decided to go back home over the Cherohala Parkway.  The autumn colors were gorgeous, but I’ll save that for tomorrow.

Sunday night they were reporting that the interstate will be closed for at least two months.  We might not be traveling east for the next couple of months.

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Stupid Camera

October 16, 2009
Cheoah Dam and Lake, Tennessee. October 13, 2009.

Cheoah Dam and Lake, Tennessee. October 13, 2009.

Betsy and I were home for about 12 hours Thursday evening and early this (Friday) morning.  That gave us just enough time to repack for Ray’s memorial service and to do a quick post to let you know we survived the first of our quick trips.  By the time you read this we will be on the road to Jacksonville, Florida.

As you know, we went to Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia to see what the waterfalls looked like when water was released from the dam above the gorge.  We hiked a new trail (for us) and the views were wonderful.  There was a light rain most of the day, but that didn’t stop us from our quest to enjoy the waterfalls.

Unfortunately about half way through our hike my camera decided to start acting up.  For the rest of the hike I could only take wide-angle shots if I could get any at all.  That was definitely a bummer, but as Betsy said, that just gives us another excuse to go back.

Now that Betsy has her laptop, I’m hoping Santa will bring me a new camera.  I’ve been wanting one with interchangeable lenses so I could get closer to waterfalls we can’t reach on foot.  I would also like to be able to get macros of our flowers.

I know many of you are great photographers.  I would appreciate any advice you may be able to give me regarding a camera that will fit my needs.  Thanks.

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