October 2012- Great Smoky Mountain

10-9-12



Jerry, Lynda, and Randy at their home in NC

During the first part of our October Trip we stopped in Blowing Rock, NC to visit with our friends, Lynda and Jerry. What a sweet little home they have, nestled in a charming mountain neighborhood, just blocks from the historic downtown section of Blowing Rock. We were very impressed with the natural beauty of this place. I want to live here! And its always a pleasure to have folks who know the area take us on a tour of the local sights. Afterwards, we enjoyed some yummy barbecue and a pitcher of beer before heading home to camp.

Blowing Rock, NC

Larry, Linda, Julie, and Randy

We also had the pleasure of joining up with our buddies, Linda and Larry in Boone, NC. They met us half way from their home in Virginia, staying in a hotel about 15 minutes from our campground. What a great time we had bumming around the area together while taking in the scenery and antique shopping. I ate far too much country food at the Dan'l Boone Inn, but boy was it good!

Randy in front of Cumberland Caverns entrance

Peter Rowan

On October 13, we awoke to a choice, blue sky kind of day in anticipation of the afternoon concert.  This was no ordinary concert because the location was in a cave down in Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee.  From the cave entrance, we followed our guide down 350 feet until we came to the Volcano Room, home to the Bluegrass Underground venue.  Cave lit niches illuminated this amazing space dominated by a huge, red beaded chandelier suspended above the seating area.  The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band did not disappoint us.  Perched on a rock up near the stage, I vibrated to the most perfect acoustics and spiritual, bluesy music.  Home to stalagmites and stalactites this place is now home to bluegrass too.  This was one of those rare times in one's life when seeking the unknown was priceless.

Volcano Room

We stayed for a few days at nearby Rock Island State Park and enjoyed the majestic waterfalls framed in fall foliage.  The countryside is quite lovely in this part of Tennessee and we certainly enjoyed exploring it.   







The foliage could have been more dramatic but we enjoyed it just as it was.

Randy is looking out at one of the waterfalls at left and to the right he is taking a stroll thru the NP.

 


Our next destination was The Great Smokey Mountains National Park at the Cosby entrance in Tennessee.  It soon became one of my most favorite campgrounds because of the wildness of the surrounding mountain forest.  We were able to sample a variety of interesting hikes while observing the details of water ways, degrees of shade, the tenacity of organic forms, fragrances, layers, patterns, and rock gardens.  Blessedly rejuvenating to my soul.

Julie contemplates the complexity and simplicity of this
mountain stream as the water follows us along our path.








This is bear country and we were always mindful of our surroundings.  On one of our hikes we came across some fresh bear droppings and wisely decided to change our course.

This trip we have enjoyed near perfect weather which is not always something one can plan on.

On our way home to Florida we took some of the back roads in South Carolina and happened upon fields and fields of ripe cotton.  We were in awe of something we had only read about and such an important part our Nation's history.

 

Florida West Coast - Little Manatee River State Park/Fort Desoto/Dunedin 7/13/12 to 7-22-12

I bicycled with my sweetheart in the soft, early evening rain. It was just enough to make our clothes damp and our glasses fog up.

We meandered thru the grounds of an ole plantation in the heat of a summer afternoon. Suddenly, the clouds opened up with heavy droplets, splatting onto the book I held protectively in my hand. Making our way back to the truck the sun reappeared without any excuses.

I emerged from my kayak to stand on the rippled sandbar lapping the riverbank of the Little Manatee River. Wading thru the cool, tea colored water, I listened to the quiet of this wet wilderness with nary a bird or insect to disturb it.

The sunset took my breath away as I stood on the mucky shoreline at our Fort De Soto campsite, snapping away with my camera. Soon, I became oblivious of the bites of small bugs and things crawling in the mud. I became one with the pungent, briny bouquet of the moist sea air comingling with the seaweed washed ashore. I am starting to fall in love with this place.

 

Santa Claus has come to town here in Tarpon Springs. It is Christmas in July and we couldn’t be more delighted.  Santas from around the state, dressed Floridian style, came together to partake in this purely southern event. These St. Nicks could be seen in restaurants and along the wharf on Dodecanese St. ho-ho-ing to each other as only a santa can.  Later, we feasted on char-broiled octopus and other authentic Greek cuisine at a place called “Mamma’s”.

Loved the old sponge boats tied up along the wharf.  The St. Nicholas III captured my imagination with the fabulous patina and chipping paint hinting of a time when she sailed the gulf for sponges on a daily basis.

Sponges of every imaginable size, shape, and texture are displayed for sale throughout Tarpon Springs.  So hard to choose.

I am fascinated with finding things in the most unexpected places, like this mushroom sprouting forth from a stump all by itself in the middle of the river.

Indiana Randy is pictured here, navigating the Little Manatee River.  He is so brave.

Kayaking the Ichetucknee River

February 17, 2012

Randy and I are camping in High Springs near Gainesville, Fl for our 25th Anniversary get-away. We left yesterday and plan on being here thru the weekend. Our desire is to kayak the Ichetucknee River when the weather clears up. Today it is cloudy and drizzling outside making it a perfect opportunity to kick back, read a book, and get caught up on e-mail. I also love to journal with thoughts, drawings, and paint and will probably do some of that too. We have a full kitchen in the 5th wheel with plenty of oven space to accommodate a pot roast that Randy is requesting for dinner tonight. I think I can make that happen for him.

February 18, 2012

Miss Lilly and Wilbur, presiding as our campground hosts, offered to take us to the drop-off point so we could navigate the Ichetucknee River today. The sun tries to melt thru the cloud barrier as we start down the river, accompanied by our feathered fauna squawking in their unique, “ducky dialog”. Winding its way south, the river current takes us past majestic cypress trees draped in Spanish moss with cypress knees springing from their roots that appear to have faces frozen in time. I fancifully wonder if wood spirits reside in them and then think to myself, “This is the real Florida that inspires and nurtures my soul”.

February 19, 2012

The sun is out today in all its glory and the Ichetucknee becomes our Venice as the kayaks meander thru pristine, spring fed waters. People come from all over to dive into the spring boils and underwater caves. Peering down into the turquoise depths I enjoy the beauty of vibrant green plants and catch glimpses of fish weaving in and out of their wavy tendrils. We “Float on down the river” like two frogs on a lily pad.

February 20, 2012

This President’s day is sunny, temps in the 60’s, with a bit of nip in the air. We decided to stay one more day and explore down the road in the other direction. The central part of the state is loaded with natural springs and the Suwannee River is no exception. We drove to Troy Spring which is the deepest spring we’ve seen, a magnificent ultramarine blue. We opted not to kayak today but did make future plans to explore this area. So after a little more hiking we stopped to eat our picnic lunch of pot roast sandwiches and then decided to head back to camp for vino and a campfire. A nice way to end the day.