Morning, noon, or evening; rain, shine, or snow... it's always a full visual palette when viewing the sun's revelations of Cades Cove.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Tipton Place
Cades Cove's Tipton Place was built in the 1880s by the descendants of Revolutionary War veteran William "Fighting Billy" Tipton. Personally, with a fifteen year gap between visits to the cabin, it became evident that layers of green moss had been removed from the siding and roof shingles. I had to decide on rendering the new, renovated homestead, or the mossy version I saw years ago. You can tell which way I decided to go!
Visiting Becky Cable's Place
Some folks want to keep an eye on things and do what no one else does. When a rocking chair can't be found on the front porch, some folks find some shade and relax where they are.
The Becky Cable homestead is located in the area by the visitor center, several miles into the Cades Cove loop.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The River Flows at Fontana Lake
The first, original pigment-wash version is titled 'the River Flows', taken from a lyric in the 'Fallen from Lofty Heights' song and rendered for the music video... though the image is of Fontana Lake in the Smoky Mountains. This is a repainted version for viewing on it's own.
Fontana Lake provides the only easy access into the most remote areas of the National Park. When the lake is at a normal summer level, boats may be used to access remote trailheads such as Hazel Creek. From Clingmans Dome observation tower on a clear day the lake can be seen nearly a mile below.
The Whitehead Cabin: Details
The original sloppily-built cabin was left in place when Henry Whitehead built the sawn log cabin attached to the front. Admittedly, the newer structure is far nicer, but for an artistic study, there's nothing more appealing than the texture and unsymmetrical details taking place in the original unprofessional structure.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Carter Shields Cabin
After George Washington "Carter" Shields was crippled in the Battle of Shiloh, he moved to beautiful Cades Cove where the cabin he lived in can be seen and visited.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Mount LeConte in Autumn #3
Since the historical LeConte family had so many well-known members, there is controversy over which one this much-hiked mountain was named for. The United States Geological Survey lists Joseph Le Conte, famous geologist and Berkeley professor, as the man for whom the mountain was named, however, in recent years this claim has been challenged by some scholars who believe the mountain derives its name from Joseph's older (and less famous) brother John Le Conte, a physicist at South Carolina College. Anyway, it's well worth hiking one of the five scenic trails to get to the top.
Hand Crafted Wood Items
Early American settlers lived an extremely harsh but fulfilling life, especially when compared to what we're accustomed to. Valued in any community were the craftsfolk who had the skills to produce tools highly needed and cherished in that township.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Maple Slough
I would love to think this large big-tooth maple is the one this noted slough (pronounced sloo, as in ooh) is named after. But anyway, we had quite a few good adventures there when I was a boy.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Feeding the Fowl at the Golde'n' Eagle Inn
Conner Prairie, in Fishers Indiana, is known as an 'Interactive History Park' where families can visit, interact, engage, explore and discover what it was like to live back two centuries in Indiana’s past.
Campmeeting
Once a year the worshippers come from all over the world to camp, reunite, catch-up, fellowship, and worship in unity. In a sense it is an event from another time and place, but once it's been experienced, it's appeal becomes vividly evident.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Outback Sheepherder
With any drive through Australia's rural countryside, you are destined to see at least one Sheepherder.
San Francisco Fish Market
Purchasing fresh caught seafood is a luxury not available to those who live far from the coast. The fish markets in San Francisco offer oceanic catch just about as fresh as they come! For seafood lovers, it's worth a trip there just for that delicacy alone.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Drainage Ditch
Originally dug with a purpose in mind, now serving as a relaxing spot for cattle and critters, southeast Missouri's many ditches are part of the agricultural heritage so rich to the region. The very word 'ditch' is poorly lacking and does these important small 'field rivers' little justice.
Dinner on the Balcony
High-rise dining on Collins Street... having lunch with a view. Melbourne, Australia.
Gnarly Trees in the Bush
All gnarled and twisted and contrasting the intense play on light and color. In a land with so much dust and dirt and earth, Australia's outback offers radiant visuals to compliment what you see and do.
Fall Leaves
Who would believe that something so naturally green could become something so intensely and brilliantly red?
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Memphis Riverfront
Memphis' revitalizing of it's waterfront has added yet another place to see while visiting the city. Shown is my loose reworking of an earlier picture.
Henry Whitehead's Excellent Cabin
When Henry Whitehead married Matilda Shields in 1898, he hand built a sawn log cabin for her which was so well constructed that it often gets mistaken for a simple frame house. Unusual in the Smokies, only two sawn log houses are known to exist, and only the Whitehead cabin stands today.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Fall Leaves on the Ground
When walking through the wooded hills in the Fall, no matter where you step, the painted leaves blanketing the ground are destined to get stepped on and divert your gaze from the beauty all around. It doesn't matter whether you look up or look down, there's always visions of Autumn color and changing natural adornment.
Truck in Snow (at U.T. Gardens)
The University of Tennessee Gardens are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Some 4,000 annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals, trees, shrubs, vegetables and ornamental grasses are evaluated each year. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public.
Winter might not offer any blooming flowers to look at, but you can never tire of appreciating a 1948 Chevy truck... even a rusty one!
By the Lake Repainted
Originally a wood-block print, this time around: oil and acrylics layered on canvas. The path by the lake gets a whole different feel than before.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Biking in the Smokies
The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and exploring the various 19th century pioneer homesites. From early May until late September each year, the loop road is closed to motor vehicle traffic on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, allowing bicyclists a relaxing time to enjoy the cove.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Abrams Falls
It's a 2-1/2 mile hike from Cades Cove through some moderately difficult, lovely terrain, but the effort is well worth it to get to the remotely serene Abrams Falls. Though the falls is only twenty feet high, it is created by an incredible amount of rapidly flowing water which offers so many unexpected surprises that Backpacker.com debatably lists it as one of 'America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes'! So, use some caution as you enjoy this natural attraction in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Once Upon a Time in the Valley
Some have chores to do, others like to watch the work being done.
-((Dan Lawson’s farm resides in the Cades Cove valley within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and dates back to 1856... or so.))-
Once Upon a Time in the Valley
Once Upon a Time in the Valley
Some have chores to do, others like to watch the work being done.
-((Dan Lawson’s farm resides in the Cades Cove valley within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and dates back to 1856... or so.))-
Monday, January 14, 2013
Alfred Reagan's Tub Mill
Along the Roaring Fork Nature Trail sits the homestead where Alfred Reagan once farmed over a century ago. Besides farming, Alfred also was a miller, a blacksmith, a shopkeeper, a carpenter, and a preacher!
Capturing energy from relatively low volume, high velocity streams, tub mills were well suited to the Appalachian mountainous terrain and could produce about a bushel of cornmeal a day.
A Visit to the Cemetery
Visitors often take a solemn moment to view and analyze centuries of history pertaining to those who have come and gone before, such as at the Primitive Baptist church cemetery located in Cade's Cove.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Cade's Cove Blacksmith
Cade's Cove Blacksmith
John P. Cable ran both mill and farm and eventually decided to become a blacksmith as well. Many people brought grain to be milled by using wagons pulled by mules and horses and these animals needed their metal shoes reset about every two months, thus keeping the blacksmiths quite busy. Additionally, the blacksmiths made all sorts of metal products for the home and farm, including plows, nails, adzes, axes, chains, hinges, bolts, hammers, hoes, bits, hooks, broadaxes, kitchen knives and drawknives.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Express Yourself
If you want accuracy... use a camera. If you want expressive, creative interpretation... use your artistic talents and abilities.
The John Cable Grist Mill
A few of the early Cades Cove pioneers built water-driven grist mills to grind corn and wheat grain into meal. Since most pioneer families had to grind corn meal at home in small tubs which yielded just a bushel a day, mills like John Cable's were able to make life easier and more efficient... and yield a source of income for their owners!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Bear Sighting
Any time you visit Cade's Cove and take the long scenic drive throughout the cove, there's always the hopeful expectation of seeing a bear, deer or other natural wildlife. Most of the time you're not let down.
Becky Cable Homestead Backyard
The most visited section of Cade's Cove is where the Becky Cable Homestead sits. It's really not the house that garners the most enthusiasm, but the various rustic barns, sheds, mill, and other outbuildings.
John Oliver Cabin
I've rendered the John Oliver cabin at Cade's Cove many times over the decades. It just pops out at you as you drive around the bend. This is probably the most minimalist, less detailed painting of it yet.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Old Mill
The Pigeon Forge old Grist Mill once served an important purpose in the community, now it's one of many tourist attractions in the highly visited Smoky Mountain region.
Loop Road Church
As you drive, bike, or hike the Cade's Cove loop, stop and visit the church on the hill.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Rear View
Mowgli's story is in Junglebook, the Ogle cabin is at Junglebrook. This is the rear view which is seldom depicted in images, though if you're heading to the brook, you must head down this backdoor path.
Cade's Cove Barn
Every time you visit Cade's Cove you see something new... along with something old!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Believed the Serpent's Lies
'Believed the Serpent's Lies' created for Fallen from Lofty Heights video.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Disdain What You Embrace
We often get the concepts of embrace and disdain mixed-up. When regarding our personal life, the result is that all hell can break loose as we take pride where none should be and have guilt where we are truly guiltless. Eventually we defend our reversed feelings through a veil of deception.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
The Cynic's New Year Song
2012, we're glad you're gone.
2013 won't last too long.
It too will end and then pass on.
In just a year we'll repeat this song.
2013 won't last too long.
It too will end and then pass on.
In just a year we'll repeat this song.
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