I’m getting better at staying in one place for a while; this past week featured exactly one move. I spent a heavenly five nights at Watauga, one of my personal happy places on this earth, and it did not disappoint.
The campground sits on the river between the Watauga Dam and the Wilbur Dam, so the water level depends on what the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) needs as far as power generation goes. This visit, they apparently needed a lot, and the signal that the water was going to be released from the upstream dam sounded almost every day. On the one day they weren’t fooling with water levels, the flat calm and late afternoon sun called to me and I quickly assembled the kayak and got out on the water.
I also hiked a tiny section of the Appalachian Trail near Watauga Dam, my third time on the Trail, and it was as narrow and rocky and up and down as the other two sections were.
Hiking the AT from end to end is surely an accomplishment. But the views can be worth the work…
Saturday was a leisurely slide down to the Asheville area, where I set up at Lake Powhatan campground. It was one of the first really warm days this Spring, and every trailhead I passed on the way in was full-up with empty cars, their owners and passengers off hiking in the woods. Soon enough, I was sitting outside my trailer, basking like a cat in the sun, with a beautiful view of the some of the Pisgah National Forest.
I’ve been trying to catch up on my reading and also work on my writing, so it’s been a busy week as far as creative output goes. I’m aiming to get back to 3 posts a week on the website, so hopefully you’ll have more reading material as the year unfolds.
Patience doesn’t mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that’s unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with.
Sharon Salzberg
I love reading your blog (and pix!)! It makes me looking soooo much forward to my trailer and being a vagabond myself. 9/2020, yeah baby :))
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, Daniela! That’s a great date to look forward to, gives you time to plan and dream 🙂
It’s good to let things simmer. It’s the natural order of authentic creativity I think. Simmer away Annie!
I’m slowly learning that, Jenny, after a lifetime of go-go-go high-tech, where deadlines make little sense but must be obeyed 🙂
I’d like to hear more about your kayak,
what do you mean about assembling it? Thank you!
I have an Oru Kayak. Folded up, it fits into the back seat of my Subaru. Takes about 10 minutes to unfold and assemble, then 5 to pack it up. It paddles well, I really love it.