Way down upon the Swannanoa

The Friends Meeting House (Quakers) in Black Mountain has a sweet little monk in the garden, perhaps St. Francis.

And it is at the confluence of two streams, forming the Swannanoa River, which travels along to Asheville to join the French Broad.

Looking downstream, which travels more or less west.

There's a loving hand(s) at work on making this pretty spot more beautiful with gardens and paths.

It was nice to walk around and enjoy the peace and almost quiet.  The railroad tracks also run right on the other side of the river, and I was greeted by our familiar train for some of my walk.

Today's quote:
As we move deeper into meditation, the state of our mind expands thus allowing us to create more space within our body.

Could you walk across this?

I remember when I thought I could balance enough to try to cross this log. No longer!  Just the idea of walking along a line (like a drunk driver may be asked to do) makes me cringe,  Now-a-days I'm careful to place each foot and avoid falling, into which elders are urged to put effort. I sure want to avoid breaking any bones! So I'm not crossing that log.  The Swannanoa is actually shallow enough here to wade across without getting your knees wet!

Today I'm meeting with a Council on Aging volunteer to review my meds and doctor appointment needs for medical care, to choose the best Medicare plan. For the last 2 years I have done it myself, one year with a deductible in January, the next without. Neither are very pleasing!  But I'm grateful that my physician (located a block away) takes basic Medicare.

Today's Quote:

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.

Aristotle

More recreation

The Black Mountain Recreation Park has soccer and baseball fields. And a lovely trail around them all and along the Swannanoa River.

Of course these days I just remember walking it and breathing the fresh air, because I'm wearing a mask since the air quality is Code Red now from smoke from wildfires.

Hope fervently that they will be contained soon!

NOTE from Sunday 11.27: This post was written a couple of days ago while I was visiting family...and today it's actually pretty clear with these blue skies again!

Another creek joins the Swannanoa River, perhaps the North Fork? But I think it might be a bit further west of this one.  There are many creeks in the mountains!

Today's Quote:

Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.

Alice Walker

Thank you somebody...

For a garden of love.

Looking at the base of those trees in the distance, we could see the Swannanoa River from the terrace of the Friends Meeting House in Black Mountain, NC

And we were so grateful that someone(s) had spent hours making a beautiful garden and walks in all the surrounding area.

For information about why I was visiting the Friends Meeting House, look at yesterday's post!

Blessings on water

A beautiful production of Blessings on The River...fresh water was our focus, fresh clean water available to all!  Annelinde Metzner organized the program, and was the director of the singing component of the production.

The Sahara Peace Choir sang for us, then the the Wild Bodema Drummers played.

We were astonished, charmed, thrilled, and just plain entertained!

The Swannanoa River ran next to our location, and we sent our blessing into it's waters.

Standing in the river and singing to her!

From the other side of the valley

The Swannanoa River and walking path both pass under the bridge of the Interstate on the right behind the vine covered tree.

 I enjoyed watching clouds tickle the tops of the Seven Sisters Mountains the other day.  I was parked across the Swannanoa Valley, actually looking for my apartment.  Up hill behind me was the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly campus, including the administration building which I can see from my windows. (I gave some pictures of it a couple of days ago).

There are community gardens (out of sight to the right) and a walking trail which goes along the Swannanoa River under Interstate-40.

In winter we see the houses perched on the sides of slopes, which will be invisible once leaves come back out.

But did I find my apartment complex?  No.  I think it's off to the left a bit, since Blue Ridge Road curves around a bit.  The bottom of the valley is where 2 major roads, an active railroad track, and the Swannanoa River run. 

Quote for Today:

It began in mystery and it will end in mystery, but what a rare and beautiful country lies in between.

Diane Ackerman