Creek views, ramblings, and plans for future posts

This is the view at the extreme southwest corner of our property. The view of Cassi Creek is from south to northeast. Cell phone imagery again.


Gloria and I left the dog at home yesterday afternoon and wandered up to the end of habitation at the south end of Fish Pond Road. Cassi Road becomes Fish Pond Road as it leaves Washington County for Green County. Today’s geography lesson may or may not have a pop quiz associated with it.

We were met at the end of the road by our up-stream neighbor, Silas. Silas family once owned the entire valley and surrounds. Now, most of the land has been parceled out to family members, children, grand children, and/or sold to others. The land remaining at the road’s end is a family compound with several houses, some cultivated land and pasture, a trout pond, and various farm buildings.

We were met at road’s end by a farm dog, a Chihuahua, a horse, and Silas. Silas is probably near 80 and still actively farms some small acreage. He is a zealous conservator of the land. He lives at the trail head into the Samson Mountain Wilderness. Because of the number of local residents who once used the trail head as a party site and left their trash behind, Silas essentially blocked the trail head to any access but foot traffic. The NFS has ignored his action in pursuit of protecting the trail head. I’m glad he feels the need to protect the land and creek.

Downstream of us, the creek becomes badly used by local residents who find it a convenient dump site for any and all trash. This is, sadly, common to rural residents throughout Appalachia. Most of my fishing acquaintances will confirm this behavior in their locales. How very sad it is, to live in such a beautiful location and to see it as a trash dump site.

Silas is also responsible for some fish replenishment in Cassi Creek. The creek was once stocked with rainbow trout but hasn’t been for many years. Today, we have a rainbow population in the upper creek where the water is fast and cool enough to support them.

After talking with Silas about half an hour we came back home. He has accepted us as good neighbors from the start of our residence. Since the previous owner used to threaten to shoot his neighbors, it is not really hard to appear better than he was.

 
 
 
This is Cassi Creek looking up valley, south, from the southwest corner of our property.
 

End of habitation, Cassi Creek valley. View is south toward TN/NC border and Appalachian Trail.

View from our rear deck across Cassi Creek into Cherokee NF. Ridge to rear is ca 3500 feet. We sit at 1760.



The new range hood worked very well. Extremely quiet at low speed and moved a good volume of air. At full bore, still noisy but would clear the kitchen of smoke and cooking smells quickly.

Left to my devices, this blog can quickly deteriorate into a repetitive, boring, rant; a series of inane ramblings of interest to no one, including me; or just a self-compelled exercise intended to retain my use of language skills as I age rather ungracefully. I’ll try to avoid all those outcomes and hope that the exercise provides some amusement and enjoyment to someone who may be reading this. If anyone has comments, they are welcome at stev.lenon@gmail.com. If you think anyone at all may find this blog of interest, please let them know. I could use more people following it at:

http://networkedblogs.com/search?q=slenon

In future posts I intend to discuss my concern at the apparent rise of a Theo-con population driving much of the GOP base. I will, doubtless, voice my distrust of all religious fundamentalism, and the risk of such practice in the U.S.

I will also discuss some of the difficulties involved in locating a biological parent and the good and bad things that such search can bring. I hope to approach this from both personal and genealogic perspectives.

Tonight, I will dine on left-over bison chili from the freezer. Gloria will dine more lightly, upon two appetizer size lobster cakes and some vegetables.