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Southern Landmarks Elizabethton, Tennessee
We came into a clearing with a lookout and we could see Wilbur Damn. This is the first earthen damn I have ever seen. At the edge of the lookout I again, made the mistake of looking down! The fear of heights I have is something I may never conquer! On the way back down the mountain we found a couple of little places where you could wade in the river. If there's water, I can't resist getting in. I FORGOT just how cold a river can be in the Spring, especially one that runs through the mountains! It was so cold that I felt I had been stuck with pins and needles! Needless to say, I didn't stay in very long and neither did the other folks.
While we were there, I didn't see any of the Rhododendrons in bloom until we were leaving Elizabethton.
And Peg, if you're reading this. . . I KNOW you know all of the good places we might have missed on this trip--so I expect another sight-seeing tour when I return!
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There's
not much that I enjoy more than traveling. Since I began painting, I
see things from a different perspective, and not necessarily with an
artist's eye. On
May 19, 2000, my friend, Mike, and I left Georgia headed to Elizabethton,
Tennessee to visit a friend who had moved from Augusta. There would
be periodic emails about how pretty it was up there, but nothing prepared
me for what I actually saw! The ride from
Augusta through South Carolina along the interstate was a bit boring, but
crossing the state line in North Carolina it wasn't long before the hills
were nothing but clouds of pink, red, yellow and white!
From
there every little bend in the road was covered with poppies and other
wildflowers. Everywhere you turned something was in bloom. When we reached a point where traffic thinned Mike pulled
over and let me wade waist deep in the wildflowers to get these
pictures. (Okay, so I didn't give a thought to the snakes that
might have been crawling around in there! I've never been known for
my brains!)
Just
a few moments away from the Tennessee state line we stopped at a rest area.
A walkway led to the top of a hill. From there you saw the mountains
on one side and down into a valley on the other. 
The
next morning we set out to see some of the sights. Our friend,
Peg, told us about Wilbur Lake and Wilbur Damn, and as we headed out of town and toward
the mountains, along the road we passed farms and gardens all along the
way. Elizabethton is a very small, sleepy community and everywhere
you turn there is something that will catch your eye just by it's
simplistic beauty. 
Iris
are the Tennessee state flower and it seemed every garden had them in
bloom. 
As
we climbed the winding mountain road and got to a straight stretch
of road, we had a beautiful view of the river that feeds Lake Wilbur. At the top of the mountain was a
visitor's center, and the panoramic view of the lake is
spectacular. 
These
were taken in front of the visitor's center facing the lake with a BIG
drop! I'm not much on heights
and had to watch my footing.
From
here we walked up the trail to see Wilbur Dam. Along the way
periwinkle and confederate violets were beginning to bloom, and it was the first time I
got to see Wild Azaleas. The little coral pink spots are the
blossoms. 
After
we made our way back down the mountain we headed into Elizabethton to get
a closer look at the Covered Bridge on the Doe River. It took a
while to get this picture. On Saturdays the park is filled with
people, especially children. There were children down wading in the
river with the ducks, and laughter everywhere. 
We
walked through to the other side of the bridge and I saw Chelsea chasing
after some playmates and jumping a fence covered with climbing
roses. If only I had that kind of energy again!!! The speed
limit said 5 mph, but Chelsea was moving a
whole lot faster! Anyway, Chelsea was gracious enough to stand still
to pose with me for this picture. 
As
with any trip, it just didn't last long enough. On the
way home, we took a different route, and there was still plenty more to
see.
As we made our way down through the mountains every turn
brought a different view. I enjoyed the trip so much and hope to
return soon. The views are breathtaking. I loved seeing the
flowers coming into bloom. Several of the pictures here have already
become sketches. Now, to find the time to just be able to sit and
paint! As I complete some of the paintings, they will replace some
of the pictures that you see here.