Winter Has Fled (at last)?

Well, it looks like Old Man Winter finally has the worst of his claws out of the local weather. It's supposed to be rather chilly tonight, and we have had to actually close the windows, but I think we'll see no more sub-freezing temperatures and frozen precipitation for the rest of the season.

We went to Carole's mom's place and did some stuff to get the Casita ready for our next trip. Still a few weeks away, but it's good to get these things done in good time. I walked around the yard and took in the sights. Carole's dad, Frank, did a really nice job with landscaping the place when he was here. In the years since his passing we have moved out a few dead azaleas and cut down some dying dogwoods and replanted new shrubs and trees where we could. I noticed today that the grounds need some TLC, which we can give them in a couple of weeks--removing dead limbs, raking out some rough patches, and removing some invasive plants. But by and large, the yard is going to be gorgeous in a couple of more weeks when the azaleas burst out in full bloom and the dogwoods show off their white color.

Looking forward to the dogwoods and azaleas in full bloom behind the Casita.

Some of the azalea beds need some work.

The pink blossoms are preceding the white ones.

 And some macro shots of mainly wildflowers in the back yard:

Frank's Place

Last week we went to run some errands at Carole's mom's place. I often refer to it as "Frank's Place". Frank was Carole's dad. When he built his house he bought two lots instead of one so he would have extra space and wouldn't have to worry about pesky neighbors hemming him in. Also, it gave him room for the kick-ass gardens he used to plant. Frank didn't mess around when he did his garden. It was like a mini-farm. It was only about 1/4 of an acre and I know that doesn't sound like much...but it produced AMAZING amounts of food. All kinds of great vegetables. I miss that garden. When Frank died, that was the end of it.

One thing that Frank did when he built the house was to do his own landscaping. To that end he planted islands of azaleas and put in dogwood trees. The only things that mar the yard are a couple of camelia bushes and a holly tree. I hate both of those, and I don't think they were Frank's idea. Other than those, the yard is amazing when the azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom, which takes place roughly at the same time. Frank is gone, but the hard work he put into landscaping the glorious yard lives on. Last week it was just before peak for the blossoms. We'll be back out there on Sunday, but I fear peak will have passed by then. We'll see.

Until then, enjoy:

The vast tract of green on the left side of the photo is what was once Frank's garden. He would plant that side to side and end to end with all manner of vegetables. Tomatoes, beans, squash, potatoes, melons, corn, etc. Those were the days!

Our Casita, framed by the dogwoods.

Unaka Mountain Road

One thing that we really enjoyed on the stay at Rock Creek was driving the Unaka Mountain Road. I wouldn't suggest it with a regular car, but if you have a high clearance truck and/or four-wheel drive, then you should really enjoy it. The road climbs quite high--at or above 4800 feet, not too terribly far below the summit of Unaka Mountain. Plus, you have access to some great hiking trails, waterfalls, and overlooks.

The first day we got there the weather was great and the views were exceptional. Then a front came through and the next day we drove the road everything was quite wet and the views were limited, at best. Still, the forests and fields have their own special charms at such times, and we found them.

This place is called "The Beauty Spot". It's a classic southern Appalachian bald and the AT runs right through it. The treeless area makes for some fantastic views.


The heights of Unaka Mountain from the field known as The Beauty Spot. You can see a marker for the Appalachian Trail standing in the tall grass.

When the long distance views are denied you, look closer at hand.

Bumblebee sipping nectar.

Very pretty blossom at a high overlook.

Nice flowers were just about everywhere we looked.

At this overlook Carole heard a noise and pointed, yelling for me to look down near my feet. I'd failed to hear what she had so clearly heard--the buzzing of a rattlesnake! Fortunately, he wanted nothing to do with us and was retreating. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a photo of him before he (or she) crawled beneath a rock wall at the overlook. It was quite fat and healthy.

We kept running in to rhododendron blossoms hanging on here and there.

This was the trailhead for the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail.

A misty stream made even more soggy by relentless rain.

This ruffed grouse walked around in front of us, pretending to be injured until her chicks were safe and sound off the road. As soon as they were, she flew up into the brush and away, her job completed!