Crocus in Bloom

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Spring has been slow in coming to the Plateau, but we're still hopeful. We have had some beautiful crocus blooming this year, such as the two blossoms pictured above. I captured these beauties in our garden last week.

A Full Moon

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I went outside Sunday night and noticed this beautiful moon up in a cloudless sky. I went into the house for my camera, and got this picture of these wisps of cloud around the moon in an otherwise clear sky.

We Had A Cold Winter

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Sometimes winters do get cold down here in Dixie. As proof I offer this picture, taken last December, at Dry Falls in North Carolina. It is normally possible to walk behind this waterfall, but the trail was closed. Looking at all that ice I can understand why.

Autumn Moon in a Blue Sky

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On our way home late yesterday (Saturday) afternoon, Betsy and I noticed a beautiful moon up in the blue sky. I wasn't able to stop and get a picture, but I was reminded of the picture I got last October of the moon above some beautiful autumn color.

Cruisin(?) Down the River

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Nantahala Falls is the last and biggest rapid encountered by whitewater enthusiasts on the Nantahala River in North Carolina. It's not a waterfall -- just a Class III rapid -- but I think this kayaker got wet enough anyway. Betsy and I stopped to watch the excitement on our way home from a trip in May, 2009.

Our Weather's Been Ducky

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This past Tuesday Betsy and I went out to Cumberland Mountain State Park where I saw these ducks enjoying a late afternoon swim. I like the wake these ducks are leaving as well the reflections of the trees on the far shore.

Hiking Black Mountain

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Black Mountain is a part of the Cumberland Trail State Park here in Tennessee. In addition to the cross-state trail that passes over the mountain, there is a loop trail around the mountain top. The loop trail has a couple of nice overlooks and with the help of our trusty tripod, I got this picture of me and my favorite hiking partner on a summer hike.

Tallulah River Gorge

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The picture above was taken in June of last year at what has become one of our favorite places to visit -- Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia. The top of Oceana Falls, one of five major falls in the gorge can be seen at the bottom of the photo. The river is about 750 feet below the overlook from which the picture was taken.

On the Waterfront

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Little River, South Carolina, is a small fishing village on the Intracoastal Waterway. There are always fishing boats going in and out from wharfs, but it's possible to see a wide variety of craft passing the village. In this picture you can see, in addition to fishing boats, a speedboat, a pontoon boat, and a very elegant sailing vessel.

R. E. Lee Memorial Church

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R. E. Lee Memorial Church is adjacent to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Robert E. Lee served as Senior Warden of the church while he was President of Washington College and the church was renamed in his honor after his death. Lee's last public event before his death was to chair a meeting of the vestry to discuss the salary of the rector. He personally pledged to donate the money needed to meet the rector's salary.

Evening in the Mountains

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One thing about the mountains is that the scenery is constantly changing, but always beautiful. This evening scene was captured near Franklin, North Carolina, back in May, 2009. I like the subtle colors of the evening sky as well as the fog rising in the valley below.

Northrup Falls

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It's possible to get some interesting perspectives when it's possible to walk behind a waterfall. I was behind Northrup Falls near Jamestown, Tennessee, when I got this picture of water coming over the rim.

Maid of the Mist

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One of the attractions of Niagara Falls is a cruise on the Maid of the Mist, which gives visitors a water-level view of the falls. This picture shows why everyone on the boat is given a slicker to wear.

Remembering Our Lilies

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I must admit that I'm getting sick and tired of clouds and rain. I know that's better than snow and ice, but I'm really anxious for Spring to arrive. I want to see things like this in bloom again.

Icy Trees

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We've had such cool dreary weather for the past few days that thoughts of Spring have just about left us. This picture of ice-covered tree branches was taken at Looking Glass Falls in North Carolina last December. It seems to fit the weather of the past few days very well.

Hardy Falls

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A waterfall near the top of a mountain often has a low water flow since the watershed is likely to be small. Mount Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas, and Hardy Falls is fairly near the top. When we visited Mount Magazine there was a fair amount of water coming down the creek which made for a pretty little waterfall.

Greenbrier

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One of the places Betsy and I enjoy visiting when we are on the Cosby, Tennessee, side of the Smokies is the Little Pigeon River at Greenbrier. It's interesting to see how the boulders in the stream have been smoothed and shaped by the water over the years.

Thoughts of Spring

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'Spring'. The word itself sounds refreshing and exciting. In our yard and garden spring flowers are pushing through the ground. Soon color will return and, I hope, so will warm weather and sunshine.

I've always thought of forsythia as a sure sign that Spring has arrived. I took this picture at Serenity Falls toward the end of March last year. I haven't seen any forsythia yet this year, but it is something to look forward to!

Evening Sky

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This picture of the evening sky was taken last July in the mountains of North Carolina. I like the color of the sky behind all those trees in the foreground.

Dry Falls in Winter

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I had hoped that we were through with snow and ice for the year, but on Tuesday Betsy and I went over the mountains at Newfound Gap in the Smokies and saw a foot or more of snow still on the ground.

That experience reminded me of a visit to Dry Falls in North Carolina that we made in December 2009. There was obviously plenty of ice around that day.

A Carolina Morning

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We've had three days of sunshine here on the Plateau, and I could really get used to that. However, I'll have to wait a few weeks to see as much green as there is in the picture above, which was taken on a May morning last year near Franklin, North Carolina.

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My sweet bride is 'kidnapping' me for a few days to celebrate my birthday. She hasn't told me where we are going, but I suspect our trip might involve some waterfalls. I don't know how often we'll have internet connections, but I'll try to visit with my iPod whenever I can.

Badaling

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Badaling is the pass nearest Beijing with a gate in the Great Wall. Climbing up the wall on one side of the pass gives a great view of the Wall climbing the other side of the pass and then snaking along the ridge tops.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

A Small Part of a Big Waterfall

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As you know, Betsy and I collect waterfalls. Many of the waterfalls we see involve a hike and we often have the waterfall to ourselves. Other waterfalls are big and well-known and we have to share them with many others. The American Falls at Niagara are big and are visited by many people. But even there we could find a small piece of the falls just for ourselves.

George Washington's Office

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George Washington used this little log building in Winchester, Virginia, as a military office from September, 1755, to December, 1756, while Fort Loudoun was being constructed nearby. Washington planned Fort Loudoun, supervised the work of construction, and brought his own blacksmiths from Mount Vernon to do the ironwork. George Washington's military and political career began in Winchester. He served as a member of the House of Burgess from Winchester and used Winchester as his headquarters during the French and Indian War, while in command of a Virginia regiment.

Winter Hiking

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Winter is a wonderful time to go waterfalling. The rains of autumn usually do a good job of renewing the water flow and it's easier to find waterfalls that require bushwhacking when the leaves are off the trees. This picture of me with my favorite hiking partner was taken at a waterfall near Brevard, North Carolina, this past December. (I carry a small tripod in my backpack). This particular waterfall was near the trail and the rails on a bridge over the creek provided us with a place to rest and get this picture.

A Mountain Top Trail

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Mount Nebo State Park in Arkansas contains several trails which are great for hiking. One of my favorites is the Rim Trail, which circles the mountain just below the top. The 3.5 mile trail offers some wonderful views, even in the winter.

Quarry Falls

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The Cullasaja River drops about 1400 feet within about seven miles of Highlands, North Carolina. The river drops over two major waterfalls and several smaller falls and cascades as it travels through the gorge. One of the smaller falls is Quarry Falls. I took this picture in December, 2009, but the falls is much more popular in summer, when young people gather here to beat the heat. Because of this popularity, Quarry Falls is also known as Bust-Your-Butt Falls!

A Colorful Creek Bed

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Betsy and I visited Crooked Creek in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas on our way to Mount Nebo last week. The water was crystal clear and we could easily see the colorful creek bed. Much of the rock in the area is slate, but I can't account for the red color of a large part of the creek bed. It is certainly colorful, however.