New Bird and a Daytrip

The sun is setting and a golden mist hangs over the mountains.  A quiet and
peaceful time.

The hummingbirds are still here; they have really bulked up this past week,
so I know it isn't long until migration.

I saw a new bird yesterday morning:  Summer Tanager.  Really gorgeous
rich red, deeper red than a Cardinal. It was catching wasps.  I love
birds that help me out.

Yesterday I realized that a friend and classmate had died last year.  I was
stricken.  He had wanted us to see each other one last time.  He was
planning to be at the re-union (high school re-union) in 2010, but he
didn't come.  I later learned he was in the hospital.  He made it through
that crisis and said he was feeling great.  He and his ex-wife reconciled,
and I was under the impression that conversations with me might be
misconstrued by her, so I hung back and let things be for a while.
I contacted him finally, only to receive no reply--so I started to be
concerned.  We had been friends since high school.  The kind of friends
that share secrets--which was unusual for me to trust anyone that much.
Years later, after his first bypass surgery, he tracked me down via another
classmate.  And we resumed our friendship like the time never existed.
To find out he had died was not a total shock--I knew that was the
eventual outcome.  But I thought we would see each other at least once.
I talked at length with his sister and that helped a great deal, but I will
still miss him.  He was a gentle soul with a romantic heart and always had
time to listen--especially when we were younger.  As we grew older, I
listened to his health problems, shared positive stories, and tried to
encourage him.

My partner knew I had the blues today, so planned a day trip to Black
Mountain via Highway 64 (through Bat Cave and Chimney Rock) and
then backtracking to Highway 9.  We stopped at the curb market,
and at a "Pick your Own" veggie place.  Would you believe there was
even a groupon for that?  And we stopped at a store that sold cider
made in Hendersonville.  We ended up at the Morning Glory Cafe
for a late lunch.  It was thoroughly pleasant day--just out enjoying
nature--as much as I can now.

I took a lot of pictures--some were taken from inside the car, so they
have imperfections, to say the least.  Pictures follow, starting with one
of the Summer Tanager.

Summer Tanager (male)-They love to eat wasps!

Louise--Maker of the beautiful rugs--She has been making these rugs since she
was 12 years old.

This was taken from inside of the car--We're at "The Farm"--a pick your own
veggie place.  My partner picked corn, beans, zucchini, eggplant, 2 pumpkins,
and some tomatoes.  This summer has been rough on crops.  First, there was the late
freeze that hurt the apple orchards.  Then day after day of rain.  Too much rain
makes for mushy tomatoes!

Taken from inside of car.  This is the cider place we stopped at to buy a gallon
of apple cider that was made locally.

I love river scenes--especially ones where the water is rushing and tumbling over
rocks.  I tried to get every angle possible.

Not only is this pretty, but it has trout in it!

I wanted to wade barefooted in these waters badly, but those days are gone.
At least I can say I have waded in a lot of rivers in a lot of states--including,
on a dare, 8000 feet up in the Rockies!

A gift shop seen and pictured from inside the car in Bat Cave.  Just love that name.
Reminds me of the Adams Family.

A very difficult to see view of Chimney Rock.  The sun was in my eyes.  I was
shooting blind.

A very rare part of Highway 9 that is straight--most of Highway 9 is switchback
after switchback.  Beautiful views.

At the Morning Glory Cafe in Black Mountain NC.  I love their bacon, lettuce
and fried green tomato sandwiches.


All for today.