Flat Creek becomes a playground in Montreat NC

 Several bridges cross over Flat Creek which usually is nice and well behaved.  In May it was not and flooded the area, and dropped some trees and changed the shape of some people's creek-front property.  But it is controlled somewhat by the dam up in Montreat at Lake Susan, except when there's just too much water in too little time.

 It even comes under a parking lot, or at least some of it does.

 There are some buildings by the creek, which provide the daytime activities for the camping experience for children during the summer.  There were lots of little signs saying the playground was closed (bright pink here).

 Looking at the creek below the rhododendrons, below.

 I walked down this ramp past the little sign, to find many families were enjoying the park.

 Big smelly white bags are the remains from cleanup, but the water itself was clean.

 Children continue to have birthday parties.  And the park is actually open to the public, except for areas that are fenced off.

The climbing equipment is still useable.

 This is a nice big park, with lots of places kids can go wading and play in a natural stream.

 This area is still being repaired, and the plastic orange fencing shows the damage to the rubber matt walkways, which used to end in a bridge over the creek.

Quote for today:

My brain is only a receiver; in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength, and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.

Nikola Tesla

A short walk in the woods

Two views, about 6 months apart.  The leaning tree still stands on July 1, 2018.  Flat Creek has had a major flood back May 29-30 of this year.  These stones have been tossed into new areas.

What Flat Creek looked like with some ice forming on it back on January 6,  2018. Note the wide shallow water area.

These shots (above) were taken from the bridge which connects to walks along the far side of the creek.

January 2017 look toward the bridge from the tree that bends down, and the big rock situated slightly mid-stream.

Now there's a little bit of dry land going towards the rock (July 2018)  Perhaps it looks different after a rain still.

But that's not all the flood did to the creek.

 As I walked to the bridge from the parking lot, I looked over to see dry land and a man sitting next to a new little swimming hole, as well as some tree trunks and debris that are new from the flood.

 I stepped on the bridge, glad to find that it's either been repaired or at least kept up so walking folks can get to the trail which goes along the creek bed up to Montreat, and another trail which goes up to a lookout area.  I've never taken either of them since they climb pretty steeply.

 Looking from the bridge (that's its post in the left foreground) into the little swimming area with a bit of a stone dam across the smallest part of the creek.

The man and boy are over on the rocks.  A ford still exists going through the creek from right to left, where vehicles go for Montreat road maintenance beyond that road area on the left. See enlargement of people below.

 This is as far as I walked last Sunday.

The first step on the earth as I left the bridge, I stubbed my toe (wearing "Nothinz" plastic shoes, which are enclosed but perforated) on an exposed root in the path.  There were a lot of raised roots.  I kept walking about 5 minutes, when my foot began to hurt (and swell up inside my shoe).

So I tried going about my day, going to church, home for lunch, to the studio to pick up some mugs that just were glazed, and to pick up some fast food for dinner.  By then I realized my foot was more injured than just a sore toe...and continued to ice it and elevate it.  It really hurt to put my full weight on it.  At the studio someone bumped into me as I turned around, and when I put my weight on that foot I screamed and almost blacked out.  I had a friendly offer to carry my box of mugs to my car, and I left them in it when I got home...no more walking than absolutely necessary!

And on Mon. morning I made a doctor's appointment, for that afternoon.  I could walk better, and could see the bruising both above and below my toe...so gladly took the offer from a friend to drive me over to the doctor...and canceled my regular Monday activities.

Following a quick appointment and having a decaf visit with my friend, I did as the Physician's Assistant recommended, and switched to soaking my toe in hot salty water.  That felt good, but only lasted about a half hour.  Fortunately my foot didn't hurt enough on Mon. to take any pain relievers.  Staying off my feet really has helped.  And not being broken (though the treatment would have been much the same) was a relief...it's a contusion apparently.  If the swollen part gets infected, I'm to go see the nurse in the doctors office.  I am not at all interested in taking antibiotics if not absolutely necessary.  The pulmonologist wants to put me on them all the time.

I'm feeling pretty fortunate.  Though I admit I'm also feeling a bit s--t faced, embarrassed that I couldn't just be ok, but a stubbed toe knocked me out for a few days.

Today's quote:

Because we are spiritual beings, we have the ability to rise above habits and patterns to see the truth

 

The mountain wears down itself

These tumbled rocks are part of the mountain, the Black Mountain range, which are the oldest mountains in North America (according to some geologists).

The shallow water constantly flows, rubbing the rocks against each other as it goes toward the Gulf of Mexico eventually.  The rocks look pretty big, but those big ones will some day be as little as the pebbles, and more big ones will come tumbling down.

Weekend Reflections.

Today's Quote:
We have all built up a toolbox of unique tools to help us navigate life, we just need to use them.