Charlie

And then I was like . . . OMG!

More Charlie, below the fold . . . (click on read more)

Rattlesnake

Found slithering across the road that runs from the Hemlock Falls Trailhead, back to Moccasin Creek State Park.

Update: At first I had this identified as an Eastern Diamondback, but a commenter says it is actually a timber rattler. I've compared it to photos of both, and I'm not really sure which it is.

Crossing a gravel road on your belly can't be much fun!

You can see the 'pit' sensor, between the eye and the tip of the snout. This allows the snake
to detect the heat of warm-blooded animals at close distance, while night-hunting.

Our snake has shed his skin about eight times

What's so great about him?

Charlie and Great Uncle Bob

Kayaking

Laura and Bob

Super what?

Yeah, stand right there, Nance . . . don't look behind you. Okay, perfect!

Sunset cruise, May 25

 Sunset cruise with Brother Bob, Nancy, Nancy's brother Bob, his wife Mary, Jake and George.

Sunset over the Appalachian Trail, west of Lake Burton

Sun sets on George

Cap'n Robert

Sun goes head-to-head with Jake, gives up and slinks down below the horizon

Cruising out from the head of Timpson Cove: Bob and Mary, Bob and Nancy

Downstairs remodeling done!

Downstairs sitting area. TV is to the near right, out of the picture.

Downstairs bedroom.

Flowers, jasmine and trellis, outside new space.

Funky mirror, reflecting the funky bedroom beyond.

Rock-a-bye room, with beer/baby-formula refrigerator.

Old School Community Garden

We signed up for a plot in the garden behind the old Clayton Elementary School, and got assigned one just about a week ago. So, our start is about a month after the last frost date, but we're hoping for some good stuff. We've got several varieties of 'maters and peppers, some cukes and squashes, basil, radishes, and some flowers.

George planting marigolds around the tomatoes.

Mystery flower; leave a comment if you know what this is.

Fearsome plastic owl; George in the background,
with hat, and behind her, the old school.

Purple poppies; hope this isn't an opium crop!

Luna moth

Taylor found this at the recycling center. Awesome mimicry of a twig with buds!

Not my photo, but shows more clearly the "eyes" mimicry on the hind wings.

The luna moth is one of the largest moths found in North America, with a wingspan up to 4.5 inches. In the Southeast, they produce as many as 3 generations each year, laying from 100 to 300 eggs each cycle. The adult does not feed; it lives only to mate, and dies after about a week.

Charlie at the Blue Fish

We call this his Tennessee Department of Corrections outfit!

Looking for parks and recreation information?

Our son Taylor has created RecPlanet, a web resource for parks and recreation information. Give it a try!