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Tomato plants still look alright after about 2 1/2 weeks of no rain and mostly above normal temperatures. But production has slowed and I'm not getting as much as I did last year at this time.
I'm still getting a lot of cucumbers, but plants aren't looking as healthy.
Couldn't sleep so I figured I'd share some photos from the mountains(okay quality from my phone, they look better on the phone):
A few Aspens in there, should have gotten a photo of them from a certain angle. With the right setting and time of year they can be a very pleasing part of that mountain setting!
Okay, here's my pics from my trip to the mountains:
First off, a very happy NorthStarDelight - on the highest point of Georgia, where the temp is a lovely 67 degrees. Yes, I'm loving it.
Taken from inside the museum at the summit visitor's center. We watched a video clip about the mountain as well, its 4 seasons, etc.
When we got to the top, it was completely socked in with clouds - the rangers suggested we hang around for a bit to see if it would break up a bit.
Pretty crappy visibility from the open roof of the visitor's center.
And then, like magic, the clouds began to part.
And we were treated to the view of the valleys a half mile below, from cloud level.
Much improved than just a few moments before.
The parking lot below. And yes, they provided a shuttle service to the summit from there. The cost was included in the $5 admission fee. Yes, us Americans are lazy.
This was the cool part. Standing where you couldn't see the trees, it wasn't hard to imagine you were flying on a magical airship, sailing through the clouds, a half mile above the ground. Pure awesomeness.
What the summit looks like from the parking lot below.
Gonna end this post here, since these are the Georgia pics. Next set will be in the Smokies.
It was a very pretty drive from Brasstown Bald up to the Smokies - the first 2 shots were taken along the way:
Before checking in, we took a side trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Waterrock Knob - about 5800 feet. More cool air, more awesome views from amongst the clouds.
This is what greeted us at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - a herd of elk.
This shot was taken from around 4000 feet.
The start of our hike on the AT. And no, we didn't hike up to Maine. 1972 miles, whew!
After 3.25 miles, this is what greeted us. A cliff dropping off into a white void.
A glimpse of how far down it went - a long, long ways. Good thing I don't have a fear of heights...lol.
Hiking back down, the clouds were breaking up a bit by this point.
A rocky section of trail. As we approached the parking lot, we encountered tourists wearing flip-flops - I don't think they were able to get very far in those...lol.
Getting crowded. The Smokies is quite popular, to say the least.
Once again, great timing - the clouds lifted enough to be able to see off from the summit of mighty Clingman's Dome, one of the highest mountains in eastern North America - at 6644 feet above sea level.
A very popular photo-taking spot. I can remember having my picture taken here when I was a kid.
Looking down the half-mile paved trail up to the summit. No shuttle service here...lol. Pretty steep too, and the thin air left a lot of people winded. A mile and a quarter (2 kilometers) above sea level is nothing to sneeze at.
I just love mid-century modern...lol. If it wasn't for this, there would be no view from the top, due to the trees.
Informational sign, detailing what you can see on a rare clear day. (Spring and fall are best for these.)
Looking out at the clouds.
A half hour before, the visibility was zero - which is often the case up there.
Pretty red flowers.
A thunderhead off in the distance.
And this one's for snj90...LOL. This was taken at a shop in Cherokee, the touristy town just east of the Park entrance.
It was a very pretty drive from Brasstown Bald up to the Smokies - the first 2 shots were taken along the way:
Before checking in, we took a side trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Waterrock Knob - about 5800 feet. More cool air, more awesome views from amongst the clouds.
This is what greeted us at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - a herd of elk.
This shot was taken from around 4000 feet.
The start of our hike on the AT. And no, we didn't hike up to Maine. 1972 miles, whew!
After 3.25 miles, this is what greeted us. A cliff dropping off into a white void.
A glimpse of how far down it went - a long, long ways. Good thing I don't have a fear of heights...lol.
Hiking back down, the clouds were breaking up a bit by this point.
A rocky section of trail. As we approached the parking lot, we encountered tourists wearing flip-flops - I don't think they were able to get very far in those...lol.
Getting crowded. The Smokies is quite popular, to say the least.
Once again, great timing - the clouds lifted enough to be able to see off from the summit of mighty Clingman's Dome, one of the highest mountains in eastern North America - at 6644 feet above sea level.
A very popular photo-taking spot. I can remember having my picture taken here when I was a kid.
Looking down the half-mile paved trail up to the summit. No shuttle service here...lol. Pretty steep too, and the thin air left a lot of people winded. A mile and a quarter (2 kilometers) above sea level is nothing to sneeze at.
I just love mid-century modern...lol. If it wasn't for this, there would be no view from the top, due to the trees.
Informational sign, detailing what you can see on a rare clear day. (Spring and fall are best for these.)
Looking out at the clouds.
A half hour before, the visibility was zero - which is often the case up there.
Pretty red flowers.
A thunderhead off in the distance.
And this one's for snj90...LOL. This was taken at a shop in Cherokee, the touristy town just east of the Park entrance.
Once again, great timing - the clouds lifted enough to be able to see off from the summit of mighty Clingman's Dome, one of the highest mountains in eastern North America - at 6644 feet above sea level.
I went to Clingman's Dome 3 years ago. Yep, very nice views. I remember the skies being pretty clear on the summit as well. The temperature was probably about 20F degrees cooler than Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.
A lake near Cashiers, where we spent the day helping to set up for an upcoming antique show. The elevation here is 3500 feet, if you can believe it.
A beautiful day at 3700 feet. I'd not mind living in a place like this.
Inside of the school gym where we set up for the antique show. Lots of neat stuff here - and nice people, too.
This is for non-Americans who may not be familiar with how food is closely tied with our educational system. Just look at those prices...lol. It's little wonder students expect to be fed when they get to university - none of this "self catering" crap...lol.
And one last pic:
Last high-elevation view before we came off the mountains. The windows had to be rolled up, and the AC went on as we dropped below 3000 feet. Back to the summer heat of the Georgia Piedmont....sigh. It's always a real let-down when leaving the mountains - not just in a physical sense, but mentally too. But I'll be back.
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It's little wonder students expect to be fed when they get to university - none of this "self catering" crap...lol.
