Butterfly bush

Montreat trails

What a kinky display, it doesn't say "you are here."

But I figured out I was standing just below the blue trail on the lower left.

To get to this display, drive north from Black Mountain on NC 9 toward Montreat.  Take the first right after you go under the stone archway.  Park free there!

 Though it isn't the first trail described, and you are reading the display standing right next to it...it isn't even either of the blue trails described in the first column below the map.  (???)

Nor is it the blue trail described in the next column.  So here you stand, not on the map, and no clue where to start using it.  Good reference!

 

There, at the bottom, it says its a blue blazed interpretive trail (nope, it has no interpretations on this trail)...but it says it START HERE, crosses Flat Creek and meanders into Montreat Nature Center.

 

Actually it arrives at a park.  You could call it a nature center if you want.

 

Just do not hold your breath waiting for anything to be interpreted, including the switchback that is questionably part of the trail. 

 

However, the first part of the trail (maybe 1/4 mile) along the creek is nicely graveled and has native plants added for a garden effect.

 

 

I'm guessing someone organized those college kids who wanted to do a community project.  It's very nice.

If you want to get a copy of the real map, and plan to hike the real trails (that go through woods up and down mountains) I don't know where maps are.  Not at the Chamber of Commerce in Black Mountain.  Probably at the hiking store, or at least they can tell you where to go.

Happy trails everyone!

Kids and water...

A new fence between parking area and a new fountain feature in Town Center park.

 Tiny people and parents are enjoying the splutters of geysers.

I'm sure on hot afternoons this will be a treat...if they can find parking!

To market...

Peek of the season, great vegies.  Great day.
See ya!

Check the Black Mountain Tailgate Market, behind 1st Baptist Church in the park under the trees...off Montreat Rd and 1st. St.  Can't miss it cause that's where EVERYBODY will be this morning.

'Shrooms

I never eat wild mushrooms, and someone said these are very poisonous.

Thought for today:

Sometimes during our spiritual growth we can feel as if we are going backwards, rest assured you are not.

Old Windows

Lovely old windows- leaning up against the garage wall, where they were dumped.

Some left over boards and a wall of wood paneling, which was an addition to the house probably in the 50s or before. 

Here are the old walls of the house, from inside, with the new windows installed.  Not opened however...left closed all the time the construction guys are putting  up exterior siding.

Last week the insulation people blew stuff into walls.  This week a huge truck load of drywall unloaded.  I don't think these views will ever be seen again of these windows.

A front room window shows the original diagonal wall framing under it, as well as light coming through, which has all been sealed up now.

This post is my offering to Sepia Saturday this week...
don't you see the connection?

Invitation to lunch

"Hi Barb, let's meet for lunch..."
And off I went to the nearby lovely restaurant, Ole's Guacamoles.

I settled on the patio overlooking Flat Creek, and waited for Cathy.  And waited.  And waited.

I wasn't alone, this duck kept me company.  Hadn't Cathy said Ole's for lunch?  I called her.  Had to leave a voice mail..."I'm sitting here waiting at Ole's."

There's my table by the duck...I was served my chips and refried bean dip...and Cathy called back saying "I'm sitting on the patio at Oakie Doakies, where are you?"

I had really messed up, thinking of one restaurant, going there, and all the time the invitation was to another one.  Mmmm.  How to fix this?  Order Mexican to go, thank the waiter and leave him a tip, then hightail it across town to the barbecue place to meet and eat with Cathy.

Both restaurants seemed to take it in stride.

But I didn't have time to take more pictures, my mouth was full, when I wasn't talking with Cathy.

Sumer at the lake

The Senior Center

Lake Tomahawk offers shady walks around its perimeter, well mostly shady!

Latest work in clay

Wall Pillow - stoneware with a back, slip trailed design in glaze  $50

Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed - Wall Pillow stoneware with slip trailed glaze design work - $75 (must be held for an exhibit in September)

Plate with Tree Woman, slip trailed glaze design on white clay $75

Wall pocket, for hanging on wall, joyful goddess design in slip trailing in glazes $35

Moon Dancer plate, slip trailed glaze designs - $75

Town Center Park - Part 3

It's kind of fun reading the bricks, seeing who has made a dedication to the park and in whose honor.

My favorite photo of walkways was this one with a noon day shadow cast from the decorative fence, which is really hard to photograph!