Chau Ram Park - May 2025

 May 1st....I was the May Day Queen in kindergarten!  And, I remember it well.  Don't know how/why I was chosen, but I knew it was an honor.  Over 70 years later, I'm headed with Bob to Chau Ram, a local county park for a picnic.

The park's name is another portmanteau...a combination of the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek.

Our area didn't escape from Helen either, but the damage wasn't as extensive as in NC.  Trees downed in the storm collected at various spots along the river.  The bridge across Hwy 76 just a few miles up from the park was washed out causing travelers headed north towards Clayton, Ga to take a rather long roundabout detour.  The repairs were completed just this past June, and the road is again open.

A suspension bridge crosses the river.  On the farther side is a beach where it is safe to swim.

  
Across the bridge there are several hiking trails.  You have to stay steady when walking on the bridge.  It sways quite a bit.

Along the paths throughout the park are beautiful flowers.

Heading east from the bridge are the falls at Ramsey Creek.

I think cousins Carol and Nelson will remember their visit here.

Five years ago during covid, in addition to the informative sign about the blue heron, there was another reminding people to keep 6 feet apart, the same distance as the heron's wingspan.  Thank goodness those days are over.

Mid May, we went to Calabash, NC,  and once again met up with Plish and John who were dog sitting for their niece, Lisa.  Although P&J sold their condo  there, they still will be going for visits, especially since Lisa has now bought a home there.  We stayed at The Wishing Well campground, as we have been doing for at least 15 years.  One night we had a cook out there with P&J and Paul, the next meatball subs at Lisa's and the last night pizza at Paul's.  No photos of the trip...same folks, same scenery as so many past posts, minus one very special person. 

 

Rosman, NC - April 2025

 Five years ago today, April 13th, we were awakened at 3: 13 am   by a "take shelter NOW" tornado alert.  Our property vista changed overnight, but our house, vehicles, boat and most importantly, ourselves, were spared.  Today we are going on a 3 night camp stay at the Lazy J in Rosman, NC, approximately 45 miles from us and another 45 to Asheville.  We camped here many years ago, and were glad it was still in operation after Helen. 

The entry to the camp is across an old trestle-like bridge over the Broad River.  This was one of the rivers that flooded as a result of Hurricane Helen and caused extensive damage to North Carolina.

The campground is in a wooded area.  Our spot isn't very big, but we will be spending most of our two 

days sightseeing.

 

The next day we drove to the Pisgah National Forest, noted for its many waterfalls.  Most of them require a hike to reach, but Looking Glass was right along the road.

If we were more adventurous (translate "younger"), we would have walked down the long stairway and maybe even gone into the water.  But, we were content to have a closer view through the zoom lens of the camera.  

Along the river throughout the forest, downed trees still remain from the flood...

Hard to imagine how much damaged was caused considering how low and calm the river is now.

And this is just one of many piles of dead timber that was cleared away.

Tuesday, we drove into the town of Brevard, about 15 miles east of Rosman.

We drove onto the campus of Brevard College, probably most noted for its white squirrels.  However, none were in sight today.

Perhaps they were on their way to visit the cows.  The folks here don't have to wait for the cows to come home!!!

In another part of town is Silvermont Park and Mansion.  The house, built in 1917, was owned by a prosperous tanner and lumberman, Joseph Silverstein, who willed the estate to the county in 1972.  The downstairs is now a Senior Center.  Upstairs still has a few rooms that typify the early life there, but it wasn't opened while we were at the park.

There is a playground and garden on the property, and an oak tree that grew from the propagation of the original Charter Oak in Connecticut.  Acorns from the original tree were preserved and planted in various states, and cuttings made from these were distributed for planting elsewhere, such as here.

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The town folk are blessed to have such a beautiful park, as were we to visit it.

 

Some "One Offs"

 Thought I'd post some photos that aren't linked to any "adventure" per se, but you might like to see:

Home made "no knead" cheese bread, but ah, you do want it!!  Yummy!

"The Zoo"...a whimsical metal arts place outside Blue Ridge, GA.

Poochie.  She doesn't usually play with toys, but she did take a bit of interest in "Lambchop"

David and Amanda paid us a short visit at the end of March

Bob and I went to Hartwell, GA, to have grouper for lunch at a lakeside restaurant.

The hydrangea at the pool deck really took off this spring.

Here are the new front porch steps and landing Bob built.

In May, he began clearing a new planting area on our "north forty".

We will later add perennial flowering plants for some color.