Grace Episcopal Church

Grace Episcopal Church, located in North Asheville, occupies a prominent site above Merrimon Avenue. It was designed circa 1905 by Richard Sharp Smith, an English architect who also supervised the construction of the Biltmore House after the death of Richard Morris Hunt.

A view of the interior courtyard of the church with the sanctuary on the right and the link between sanctuary and fellowship hall to its left. A covered walkway is behind the camera.

A close-up of the cross shown in the courtyard shot; probably of Celtic design.

DuPont State Forest

DuPont State Forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties in North Carolina. The original tract once belonged to the DuPont company and a portion of the forest was the site of a manufacturing facility that produced photographic film. The forest has almost 100 miles of trails and several spectacular waterfalls. Two times a year the Friends of DuPont Forest conducts the Tour de Falls which includes bus rides to three falls and Lake Julia. For more information see their website at http://www.dupontforest.com/

Triple Falls is the first stop on the tour and is truly spectacular! Standing here looking at the water roaring over the rocks it is hard to believe that such pristine beauty is located so close to the city of Asheville - less than an hour away by car. Scenes from the movie The Last of the Mohicans were filmed at these falls.

High Falls in all its beauty. Just barely visible at the top right of the falls is a covered bridge that was constructed in the late 1990s by a developer. At that time a gated community was planned for this area but a non-profit group was formed to secure the forest for the enjoyment of all.

Yes, these rocks are slippery and several people have fallen to their death climbing on falls.

Bridal Veil Falls was also featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans.

Lake Julia was originally constructed in the 1960s as a part of Camp Summit and is about 100 acres and 35 feet deep. The Lodge has offices for the DuPont State Forest staff and was aquired by the state in October 2000. In addition to the three falls visited the forest also includes Hooker Falls that is accessible from the Hooker Falls Access Area by a 10 minute walk.

Scarecrow

Ah, the favourite of the crows - the lowly scarecrow. Originally made to scare crows away from the fields of corn he has become a faux being, a joke to be cawed at by the crows. One of the earliest mention of this being is found in Japanese literature, known as a Kuebiko. Alternative names are mawpin, moggy, shay, guy and bogeyman.

Scarecrow Gothic, with apologies to Grant Wood.....

Most crows will recognize the Tin Man trying to be a scarecrow.

This one is probably taking it a bit too far...

Marshall, NC

Madison County Courthouse located in downtown Marshall which is located along the French Broad River in extreme North Carolina. Marshall is experiencing a revival with artist studios in the old high school, located on an island in the river, and new businesses on Main Street.

A house with some history along the main street in Marshall.

This building has been remodeled with a grocery store on the first floor and apartments on the second floor.

Heritage Weekend

Bark baskets, spinning, woodcarving, weaving, chair making, clogging, bluegrass music and much more. Heritage Weekend was the activity this weekend at the Folk Art Center located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville. Folk art is being kept alive by some very dedicated artists and several of these folk artists were on hand to demonstrate their art. The Folk Art Center has a very good display of regional artists; see more at http://southernhighlandguild.org/

This artist makes about 8 chairs per year and no two are alike. The wood determines the "look" of each chair and artist Jim McGie incorporates antlers in some of his creations. I sat in this rocker and it was very comfortable. See http://www.buckhornridgestudio.com/Jim_McGie_Chairs.html for more of his chairs.

Tom Gow, Pine Hill Studio, will take a piece of wood and transform it into a cabin, tree or lighthouse. He does not change the essential shape of the wood but transforms it into something that shows its original configuration, always leaving part of the bark to show where it came from.

Brooms of every shape and size. Here some young-uns are learning the art of how to make a broom.

Do you have an apple tree but haven't a clue as to the variety of apple? Tom Brown can help you identify that apple; check him out at http://www.applesearch.org/

West Asheville Garden Stroll (WAGS)

The first West Asheville Garden Stroll took place this past Saturday - September 12. 2009; it featured many different garden styles, free food and a large dose of funky. Green thumbs are not the only thing different about gardeners. They are artists and their palette is as varied as the plant types. The gardens ran the gamut from community spaces like the one pictured above to the garden that supplies food for a restaurant.

This deck (upper and lower) provides an excellent vantage to view this garden - I could hang out there all day.

An old sink has been recycled into a container for several plants - some of the funky stuff.

This house and garden features recycled bottles, marbles, golf balls and other discards as sculpture and foils for plants in the front, side and rear yard.

Wamboldtopia is a work in progress - 10 years so far. Stone and brick masonry has been used for the studio in front and for the many architectural elements in this garden as shown in this view from the street.

A small magical garden tower to the side of the steps to the house.

A seating area in the rear yard on top of the hill with another architectural element to the right.

The tower from the previous picture - pure whimsy at work here.

Heading back down the steps to the street after quite a tour.

LAAFF (Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival)

LAAFF is a local festival that is held on Lexington Avenue in Asheville every year. Except for three paid positions it is organized and run by volunteers and serves as an example to other cities of what can be done if you live amongst really talented people. This trio of musicians are VERY good and often perform on the sidewalk on Friday nights in the downtown area.

Many people dress up for the festival and it's a gas to see the different "costumes." Here big hoop lady holds court on the sidewalk.

Not to be outdone this chap is nattily attired in striped green socks, a white skirt and a red bolero-ish jacket topped with a hat.

The dancing girls were very good and the crowd was most appreciative....

Not quite sure what this fellow was looking for with his music- making megafone but I offered up my sandal shod foot for inspection and it seemed to satisfy his quest.

Mr Tiki man from the rear with his two female companions. A most enjoyable Sunday afternoon; I will definitely have to dress up for the affair next year.