The Black MountainTailgate Market and beyond

  

Wonderful weather last Saturday...compared to the day I'm writing this (Thurs.) with continuous rain.

The community of booths with information and goods and lots of yummy foods!

I didn't find out how much these bear-proof bins cost...but they are a necessity in Black Mountain these days.

I didn't find out the name of this group which entertains most pleasingly!

The Mud Buddies booth has pottery and hand crafted jewelry!

I thought of my friend Tim who grows pitcher plants, or some variety of carnivorous plants!

A relaxing Saturday morning.

I bought this little basil plant, which looks very healthy. Soon to be transplanted into my garden of pots.

Later during my lunch with friends, I saw these baby robins, waiting impatiently for their mother/father to feed them. I sat quietly and eventually mom appeared. But this was the beginning of lunch crowd, so I worried the little ones would have to wait till the area was peaceful enough for parents to come back.

“Time does not exist – we invented it. Time is what the clock says. The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” Albert Einstein

A slower moving bit of wildlife

 My friend Susan was driving, but she had lived and worked in Madison County, so she knew much of the back roads we were taking to our friends house. As we turned off the paved road to the gravel road, there was someone who stopped us in our tracks.

I got out and introduced myself, and asked if we could pass, and perhaps help this slower moving critter along his/her way. I know we did disrupt his moving along the clear roadway, which I'd certainly choose over the weeds and hill next to the gravel...but we couldn't drive up without moving the Box Turtle.

So I left him at the side of the road, behind our car, and hoping he'd choose the ditch to go on his way rather than the paved road right beyond the ditch. We didn't see him when we left a few hours later.

A bit of wildlife

 In Barnard Park, just below the bridge of the same name, are at least two areas where boats can be put in. At one that wasn't being used that day, I spied some interesting movement on the sand.

Of course the swarm got smaller as I walked slowly toward it...but most came back...including the little black one!

For once I don't care what order the photos are in, because these Swallowtails just kept flitting around this wet patch of sand...I didn't go over and check it out because I was more interested in the butterflies!

Bridges...Buncombe and Madison Counties in NC

 

Flat Creek is flowing very subdued at this time, while Ole's Guacamole has expanded its seating by the creek into some two-tops over the creek!

Then on to bigger water and a bigger bridge...in Madison County!

Rafting under or driving across the Barnard Bridge on the French Broad River,  There are frequent rafters and kayakers that put in here.

Below you can see rafters on the river from the bridge.

Barnard Park has a few picnic tables also, and lots of parking spaces. We were sad to see the old house in ruins up the hill.

A former store, a brick building, has scaffolding on the front of it.

There are a few shade trees in the park, but I saw something I didn't expect so walked closer to get a better photo...

Tomorrow's photos will show what I saw. 

Downtown Black Mountain

 On a Saturday at noon, there are lots of tourists in town. They keep our economy going, so I'm glad to see them. 

The little sidewalk planters are blooming again. 

I took something back to Town Hardware, and purchased something else. They are so much more personal than the big box stores...and fortunately there isn't one closer than 15 miles!

I took this shot because I'd never seen the Town Hardware sign painted on the bricks before.

This shows Cherry St. intersection (coming from the right) with State St. At times there was almost no traffic. 

Looking down Cherry St, which has been made into a one-way street in the last year or so. It sure cuts the traffic on that street, but there are some busy shops and restaurants along it. It's one of the best shopping streets in town!

Looking toward Cherry St. intersection from standing near Town Hardware on State St. There aren't many trees planted along the street now. The flag on the light pole reflects our slogan "The Little Town that Rocks." We have rocking chairs placed around sometimes.

Sharing with Skywatch Friday

Today's quote:

Pablo Picasso said, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,"

2022 first Tailgate Market

 

The entrance area is nicely graveled, so we no longer trip over tree roots going into the market area from the parking area.

And as always we see friends we haven't seen all winter...

and the dogs are being allowed again, on leashes!

Not sure which bakery still had croissants, but I had to grab a chocolate one for later!

I hope to share more photos in the future, as well as I plan to stop and shop weekly on Sat. mornings for the organic and fresh local items.

My friends in the Mud Buddies Pottery booth were a bit chilled by the cool weather.

Today's quote:

Those who compare the age in which their lot has fallen with a golden age which exists only in imagination, may talk of degeneracy and decay; but no man who is correctly informed as to the past, will be disposed to take a morose or desponding view of the present. 

-Thomas Babington Macaulay, author and statesman 

(1800-1859)

Our Beltane fest

 It only takes a few of us sitting around under the trees in a circle. Flowers and rituals and songs of springtime.

We moved to the maypole which we'd borrowed. Earlier in the day the families of the church had been rained out from dancing the maypole. But we had just right weather.

And a few other photos I've captured from the internet!

The children's Maypole dance was interrupted in early afternoon by rain.