Blue Ridge blog

A Serene Saturday

After dropping my children off at school, yes, this is the second Saturday in a row that Watauga County school children attend school on the weekend to make up for snow days, I stopped to take in the beautiful colors of the Watauga River that flows through Valle Crucis. Instead of concentrating my attention on the whole river as a scenic, I wanted to show you the reflections and color in the almost pristine waters. The Watauga River begins it's journey at the top of Grandfather Mountain in Avery County and quickly falls from the mountain through the tiny town of Foscoe. A couple of miles downstream it enters the community of Valle Crucis, where during the spring and summer months, it is common to see trout fisherman lining it's banks. My favorite spot to get close up to the river is at the Valle Crucis Park. As the temperature rises, I am certain that you will see more photos of the park as I practically live there. I now leave you to venture to the Friends of the Library book sale at the Boone Mall.

Harbinger of Spring--part deux

My Dad sent me this photo of a robin that staked its claim upon his deck in Raleigh. Apparently, the whole of NC saw snow/ice action.

Lots to blog about...

For starters, the major televison network satellite trucks have now retreated down the mountain. I know that NBC and ABC have been up here to interview Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse (son of Billy, of course) to get his impressions on Mel Gibson's "The Passion."
Fox Butterfield with the New York Times visited our sheriff Mark Shook recently to interview him on our county's wonderful record of having the most Meth Lab busts in the state. Yay! We're #1! But, having said that, I know that Mark and his department are working very hard to get rid of this horrible scurge of a drug, so much so that he is willing to have our county held in the spotlight in hopes that he can purge the meth from our area. The New York Times had a front page story on Meth in Watauga Countyon Feb. 23rd. The story featured children who live in Meth houses and how they are affected by the fumes and toxic waste created by meth production. Butterfield accurately describes the problems that we are having here. Additionally, I know that when I go to a fire, I do so with much more caution because I never know if the smoke I am breathing is potentially going to fatally expose me to toxic meth fumes.
Finally, the photo I've posted is of the marquis of one of our local theatres on King St. I was on assignment with reporter Scott Nicholson and he pointed out that Mountain is spelled incorrectly. Scott is in the photo. I totally enjoy working with him because we always go on little adventures. His mind is as warped (if not more) than mine. He is a published horror writer (he even has an agent in NYC). I have read all 3 of his books and look forward to his next one, The Manor. In fact, you should check out his Haunted Computer blog because he is cleaning out his house has an awesome giveaway of books that he will send to you if you visit. What the heck, it is worth a try and if you visit his blog via my blog and you win, then I will personally pay the postage. You have nothing to lose and I can probably swing sending a signed copy of one of his books into the deal.
P.S. I received the most awesome postcard in my Valle Crucis mailbox from Seth in Lynchburg, VA. I don't know Seth's blog...how could I have missed it? Please Seth, reveal yourself! I know he found me via Fred.

About snow and such...

So Jenny from Australia wondered if our snowy season had ended, but alas, I must inform her that it still lingers. About 10 inches are on our mountain right now. I was supposed to go to Charlotte, NC this morning for a Photoshop workshop, but since the city saw several inches of snow/ice, I decided to stay on the mountain instead of dodging tractor trailers on I-77. People in the southern U.S. are not prepared for snow. I'm a bit disappointed.
I did manage to go to the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce's Alfred Adams Leadership Lucheon (an annual celebration of lots of good happenings in Watauga County) and got to see friend Frank Payne who led Doc Watson to the gathering. Doc was honored today...he is such a real human being and definitely lives up to the NC motto of "To be rather than to seem to be" (Esse quam videri).
The rhododendren in the photo are very accurate weather announcers as they shrivel when it is cold and become a deep luscious green when fair weather arrives. I had to park my car about a mile down on my driveway and walk up 'killer hill' because the muddy ruts were covered in snow and the driving was treacherous. No biggie...this is the first time this winter that I've had to walk up our mountain. I should've taken more photos today...but my heart just wasn't into it. I need the green of spring.

4X4 Heaven

This muddy road might be a 4-wheeler's heaven, but instead, it is the current shape of the mile and a half private gravel road that leads to my home. I don't dare wash my Jeep yet, because it would be completely pointless. For the past week I have have crept over the road in 4 wheel drive hoping not to make it any worse. With rain in the forecast this evening, I can hardly wait for more soupy mess. Oh well, living in paradise sometimes comes with challenges. Too bad my children aren't of the mud pie making age!

Harbinger of Spring

I was getting out of my car this morning and noticed my first robin of the year. I took a look around a field nearby and noticed that they are everywhere right now. Most were not picking for worms but rather nesting material.

Our New House Pet

A mixture of watching too much 'Fear Factor' and bizarre science lessons has inspired my youngest daughter to include Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches in her science fair project this year. And yes, this has been a family adventure. First, finding the creatures was not easy. But of course, a quick Google search revealed that they are easily available for purchase online. Next, getting them out of the shipping container and into their new home produced more than several 'girlie' noises from my daughter and I. After a solid weekend of getting to know them, she easily handles them and her project is well underway. My husband does not like spiders and insects and is having the worst time accepting them. Yes, we now have four and if my daughter has correctly identified their sex, then we may have more.

This is a school field trip that doesn't happen in Watauga County...yet.

Goose on the Loose

The February thaw is well underway. This is the one week in the middle of winter where all the frozen tundra turns to mud and it is possible to go outside without a heavy coat. Old Man Winter teases us with a little 'quickie' of spring before the backside of the storm slams us with the heavy wet snows of March.
It is with great joy that I was able to meet a newly found friend of mine out on the Greenway Trail this morning with her pet goose 'Honky Tonk'. The trail winds along the New River in Boone so she brings 'Honky Tonk' out for a walk/swim once or twice a week. She rescued 'Honky Tonk' from predators and he is now firmly embedded with the rest of her menagerie she keeps at home. 'Honky Tonk' is getting a girl friend soon and my friend is looking for suggestions for appropriate girly goose names. Any ideas?

I know how he feels...

Goodness, what a manic day. After a relatively slow start, the police scanner goes nuts and I'm off to cover a tragic wreck. I never like this part of my job. It is not the blood n guts aspect that bothers me, but the unanswered questions that plague me after I leave the scene. Somehow, I manage to put all my baggage into a neat little package and tuck it closely to my heart. I then carry on like a good little soldier. I switch hats and become Mommy again, only then to revert to journalist covering a sweet Cardboard Box derby for the boyscouts. Bam! I watch several Daddy's get knocked down in one fell swoop because they underestimate the speed of an incoming 'tank'. Ouch...that is gonna hurt in the morning. Next, I rush to pick up children...feed 'em and make sure that they are physically and emotionally secure an then, off I go again to cover a meeting of clergy and a local sports event. I'm fine, but will enjoy a nice glass of Merlot now, thank you. I am still not finished with my day/night, but I had to make sure that I keep in touch with you...