Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Elsewhere in My Neck of the Woods...

Yesterday I went to speak at a library in the next county. I traveled a road I'd passed by many times but never followed and discovered a lovely area, not thirty minutes away from where I've lived all these years.
Rolling land, ringed with mountains, and some green, green pastures.  

As I drove along, the remains of an old water wheel caught my eye...
 And I stopped for a closer look...

It was a nice group of folks at the library -- some old friends and acquaintances and several of those 'small world' moments. It's always nice to spend time with folks who like books -- and especially fun when I can discover a new-to-me corner of my world.
An attempt to capture the eyelash moon that was waiting for me as I emerged from the library. . . it's there in the center -- really!

18 comments:

J_on_tour said...

There is something fresh about discovering new places near to where we live without having to feel the need for travelling miles to do that. This is a nice warm post and I'm not just talking about the lovely part of the countryside you live in. The last image is amazing even without the eyelash moon.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

So many of us don't know what is on our doorstep, it is easy to miss much worth seeing.
All of your photos are lovely and when I double clicked on the last one I saw your eyelash moon.

Unknown said...

very nice pictures...love it

Alan Burnett said...

It really does look like a glorious part of your country. One day, one day I will make it to America with enough time to really explore.

Pat in east TN said...

Nice pictures of an area I used to call home for many years.

Brian Miller said...

it looks like a real seren place...and dont you love that when you find new little places to explore...

Jean Baardsen said...

What makes it so great is having your camera along with you, and being able to take home the memories.

Tess Kincaid said...

I always enjoy seeing your beautiful neck of the woods.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a lovely drive. Just beautiful.

Brenda said...

Oh what a great find!! A hidden away in the woods water wheel, how fun. Weren't you wondering about its story?

Deanna said...

I'd love to peek in the windows of that old house. Oh the stories it could tell!

The term "eyelash moon" is a new one to me. It made me grin for some reason.

Beautiful pictures.

Inger said...

Your photos are so delicate, I love to look at them. I think I would sleep well if they hung on my bedroom walls. And, yes, I see the moon.--Inger

Stella Jones said...

I've never heard it called an 'eyelash moon' before Vicki. What a lovely description. Loved the picture of the old water wheel.
So what did you talk about with your booky pals?

BB said...

Great shots. I love to take drives to unknown areas and see what's there. I think I see the moon or is that a spot on my screen? haha. Good to be back again! Missed catching up with you.

jennyfreckles said...

Such gentle, peaceful-looking countryside.

Anonymous said...

Years ago, as we were driving through the dark Jamaican countryside, the stars blazing brightly above, my daughter saw the eyelash moon and said, "Look, Mommy, the sky is smiling."

So I've always thought of it as the Cheshire-cat-smile moon.

Loved this post and wonder where you were. It's so much fun to take the road never taken before!

Deana the Queena

Beth said...

Just catching up on your posts, as I've been away from Blogland for a while. I was startled to recognize your lovely countryside pictures here as MY neighborhood (I think). And that library is a frequent haunt---so sorry I missed you! I'll have to admit that I've never seen that waterwheel. Would you mind telling me where it is (is it near the library)? You are incredibly observant to have noticed that while you're driving! You indeed have a writer's eye!

(And, by the way, the church with the old cemetary that I've mentioned in a previous comment, called Brick Church, is right up the road from the library. You go to the end of Alexander [which is close to the library], turn right on Leicester Highway, and you'll soon see Brick Church on a hill to the right.)

Vicki Lane said...

Deanna -- what a charming story! Kids have great imagery sometimes.

I'm really going to have to get out and explore some more back roads -- such fun!

I was traveling to the Leicester Branch Library following the route Mapquest suggested -- the library is about an hour away from our house. I think that the waterwheel was on Lower Flat Creek Road.

And, Beth, I saw the Brick church and old cemetery but didn't have time to explore. I'll have to come back.