A Jewel in the Hills

In the beautiful hills of eastern Tennessee lies a jewel - the Hiwassee River. Pristinely clear, cold water cascades down between the rolling hills until it meets up with the Ocoee and continues on into the Tennessee river.  This is where we spent a few hours yesterday afternoon.

Some of the history of this area.  If you click on the photo it should enlarge for you. (hmm, blogspot...it USED to do that for you....what's the deal now?)

Looking upstream

Swifter flowing than you might think

Looking downstream

This is one reason I call it a jewel!

We hiked a mile or two up river and then crossed it and hiked back along the railway track.  This is the spot where we threw our stuff over, then swam across just a little higher up as the current was really strong at this little point.

Walking back along the track.  Actually, while we were swimming, the tourist train chugged by, filled with people enjoying the scenery and beginning autumn colours.

A swinging foot bridge across the river just below a power generating station where water is let out through huge pipes from a dam up the hill.  Hence, the larger river downstream.

She'll be comin' round the mountain...

Smoke from a campfire wafts across the blue

May you all have a grand week - those at Mfolozi especially!  Hope you see lots of animals...