Have you seen this "weed" growing along the sides of the roads?  It is New York Ironweed, and each stalk stands about 6 feet tall, with these great magenta flowers at the top.  It is all along 19/129, near Mocassin Creek all the way to Gum Log.  

 

This is how we usually see it:  at 45 miles an hour.  So that's how I took the picture.  Guard rail and all.

 

I hope you see some in your travels.

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

Look who we saw sunning herself in the park.  And!!!  She waited until I took the picture, then flew away.

 

I love seeing Red-Spotted Purples, anywhere.  

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

I have a friend who calls Kudzu:  "The weed that ate the south."  Hahaha!  Too true to be funny.  Betsy called the route through the Nantahala Gorge:  "The Kudzu National Forest."  Now, that's funny.

 

I know you've seen Kudzu everywhere;  can't miss it.  Well, this time of year it is blooming.  I got a good picture for you.

 

 

The flowers look like sweet pea blossoms, and they smell so sweet.  We call the smell:  "grape Kool-aid."  That may not sound good to you, but just roll down the windows next time you're in a Kudzu National Forest, and breath the air.  You might agree with us.

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

The Clematis virginiana is blooming everywhere!!!  This picture was taken at the Ocoee last weekend, but it is all around us.  

 

Look for billowy white clouds climbing over shrubs and fences.  There's some on Mocassin Creek Road heading to Murphy, on 19/129 heading to Blairsville, and all over the rocks near the Ocoee.  It ranges throughout eastern and central North America.  So, look for it in your travels.

 

It is gorgeous.  And be sure to roll down the windows.  It smells delicious!!!

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

 

 

OK, gonna brag anyway.  Did I tell you that I planted red cabbage from seed?  It's true.  And this is the last one, until fall.  

 

We made it into the most beautiful cole slaw.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

We went to the Ocoee over the weekend, and saw thousands of folks, rafting down the river.  

 

I'm not sure how long the season lasts,  but it's only watered on the weekends.  It is great fun to watch all the activity.  We park in the first big rafting area you come to, pay our $3 parking fee, and stay as long as we like.  There are picnic grounds, hiking trails, lots of people, and lots of water.  

 

The Ocoee was the site for the canoe slalom for the 1996 Summer Olympics. You can go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocoee_Whitewater_Center?wprov=sfti1 and read more about it.  Very interesting, and right in our backyard.

 

Or if you'd just like to take a day trip to the Ocoee, go to Ranger and turn left.  It's about an hour away.  

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

 

Look at this beautiful Savoy cabbage.  I planted 12 seeds back in May, and got the 6 best ones into the garden early in July.  Now they are starting to form heads.  

 

Savoy cabbage is the ultra crinkly one.  I've never grown them before, but it sure looks like I'm on the right track.  Isn't it gorgeous?

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Yep, it's true.  I have dinosaurs in my garden.  And they are nearly as tall as I am.

 

Jon says we are going to need a few dinosaurs to help us eat all this kale.  I LOVE IT!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I know you've seen Bok choy in the grocery, but this is how it looks in the garden.  Not as big as grocery store, but beautiful just the same.

 

I love the blue green of the leaves next to those stark white stalks.  This one looks ready to pick.  YUM!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

After I cut the broccoli heads, I left the plants in the ground.  It's been a couple months, but they are now sprouting along the lower stem.  Not big heads like the initial harvest, but smaller florets to add to our salads.

 

And you can see by the leaves:  no wormage.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!