be true

Voyage upon life's sea,
To yourself be true,
And, whatever your lot may be,
Paddle your own canoe.
--Sarah Bolton (1814-1893) American poet.

Above: Taken last weekend, here's Price Lake found along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with Grandfather Mountain in the background.

let it shine

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
--Marianne Williamson (b.1952) author and lecturer.

Above: A break in the clouds above Watauga Lake lets in some light.

April spirit

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.
--William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English writer.

Above: Watauga Point Recreation Area awaiting summer picnics.

nature talk

It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to, the feeling for the things themselves, for reality is more important than the feeling for pictures.
--Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) 

Above: Watauga Lake at Carden's Bluff Campground.

alone

None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist. 

warm and cool

It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light. Some people without possessing genius have a remarkable power of stimulating it.
--Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr. (1859-1930) Scottish writer.

Above: I like the complementary colors of blue and orange in this scene found along the Linear Trail in Erwin, TN at sunset.

harmony

Nothing exists without music, for the universe itself is said to have been framed by a kind of harmony of sounds, and heaven itself revolves under the tones of that harmony.
--Isidore of Seville (c. 568-636 AD) Archbishop and saint.

Above: The first glimpse of autumn color along the shores of Watauga Lake.

only one

Remember that you have only one soul; that you have only one death to die; that you have only one life. . . . If you do this, there will be many things about which you care nothing. 
--St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite nun, Doctor of the Church

vision

The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision.
--Helen Keller (1880-1968) American Author and Educator who was blind and deaf.

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Carden's Bluff Trail

A couple of weeks ago I described the short, looped trail along Watauga Lake named the Watauga Point Trail. The Carden's Bluff Trail is similar, in that it's short (0.7 mi) and easy and follows along the lake, giving stunning views of the lake and the mountains beyond.  (Map Here). It's located in the Carden's Bluff Campground, so now would be the ideal time to experience this short trail. Once the campers have moved in the summer (campground opens April 15), the trail would be less than ideal to visit, for two reasons: first, the path often comes very close the the campsites, and second, the Carden's Bluff Recreation Area is not intended for day use hiking -- just for camping (it's mostly just tent sites). But it's a beautiful area, and whether you take the trail or just stroll through the campground past the gated entry on the road, you're in store for some terrific views. I recommend going late in the day before sunset, as the views over the lake at sunset are gorgeous.

A word about the trail itself. It's not a well-traveled trail. Although marked, you might encounter some large, fallen branches and experience some uneven footing. It's not especially well designed, at times it slopes so much toward the lake, that you really have to watch your footing. But having said that, the views on the west side of the peninsula are the best views to be had of Watauga Lake and those who camp there in the summer must absolutely love it. For information on the campground, click here.

Update 11/15: Seems parts of the trail have been closed due to erosion (mostly on the east side of the peninsula). It is still accessible in places and I'd still recommend that you explore Cardens Bluff! Click map below to enlarge:

Directions: From Hampton, TN, turn north onto Route 321/67 (heading toward Mountain City, TN) and travel 4.1 miles to Carden's Bluff, which will be on your left. After parking at the gate, walk into the campground, soon the road forks, stay right and continue walking until you get the the well-marked trailhead on your right.

Watauga Point Trail

Nature is God's greatest evangelist.
--Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) American minister. 

Even though the picnic area at Watauga Point is closed for the winter, there's a little known trail that gives visitors beautiful views of the lake. This short (only 0.4 mi long), easy, looped trail begins at the overflow parking lot at Watauga Point and is accessible year round. Half-way through the hike, there's an open, beach-like area -- the perfect place to take the dog for a swim.

Another nearby trail to consider is the Carden's Bluff Trail.

Directions: Take 19E to Hampton, TN, turn east on Highway 321/67 going toward Mountain City.  Travel approximately 6 miles, turn left into Watauga Point Recreation Area, park in the overflow lot to your right, trailhead is clearly marked.

stillness

In the mountain, stillness surges up to explore its own height.
In the lake, movement stands still to contemplate its own depth.
--Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) Bengali poet

The visitor's overlook near the Watauga Dam.

possibilities

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few.
--Shunryu Suzuki (1904-1971)

dazzlement

Statistically the probability of any one of us being here is so small that you would think the mere possibility of existence would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise.
--Lewis Thomas (1913-1993) physician, author, educator.

sparkles

To the dull mind all nature is leaden. To the illuminated mind the whole world sparkles with light.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American author and philosopher.

going in

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.
--John Muir (1838-1914), Naturalist and Conservationist

Price Lake at Sunset. This is an identical shot to the one posted here, taken at the same time, the only difference being a different white balance setting. Just goes to show what a dramatic difference the white balance setting can have on an image! We usually think about making sure we set the 'correct' white balance setting, however, it can also be used creatively to either dramatically warm or cool an image to give it an entirely different feel. Another example here.

heart and nature

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.
--Standing Bear (1834?-1908) Ponca Native American Chief

s'marvelous

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
--Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher

Bass Lake, outside of Blowing Rock, NC (click photo to enlarge).

Reflection

Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul.
--Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Author and Monk

Price Lake at Sunset, Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 297

our daily beauty

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
--John Muir (1838-1914) Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of conservation of U.S. wilderness

Here's a shot from this past weekend taken at Price Lake at Mile 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a marvelous place to play and pray and be reinvigorated by the beauty all around. Boat and canoe rentals are still available on the weekends through the end of October ($10 for the first hour, $8 each additional hour). There's also a 2.3 mile trail around the lake -- a beautiful hike this time of year! Click the map to see the immediate vicinity of Price Lake.

Price Lake is smack dab in the middle of it all. In fact the 15 miles from Flat Rock to the Moses Cone Estate is considered by many to be the most scenic stretch of the entire Parkway. Highlights include:

Flat Rock Overlook, mile 308
Beacon Heights Overlook, mile 305Grandfather Mountain, mile 305
Stack Rock, mile 304.6
Linn Cove Viaduct, mile 304.3
Rough Ridge Overlook, mile 302.8
Price Lake (above), mile 297
Moses Cone Estate, mile 293 (includes Bass Lake, most easily accessed via Rt. 221 in Blowing Rock)