Friday, September 11, 2015

River Walk, the rock ledge and lost in Murphy

- I had already walked a little less than a mile on the Murphy (North Carolina) River Walk when I had reached this point last Saturday.  Oh my - it was so beautiful.  Shady, leafy and a little isolated.  I did encounter other walkers here and there and plan to take my sisters there next time we are at the mountain cottage.  Murphy is about 20 miles from there and the river (Hiwassee) is the same one that flows by it.

- If you enlarge the photo, you can see the natural rock ledge going across the river that native Americans used to walk across to get to the other side.

- The marker in the photo, tells the legend of The Great Leech of Tlanusi'yi and what might have happened when they walked across that ledge.  It's kind of terrifying actually!  I'm thinking I wouldn't try that.  :)  I love the Cherokee symbols there at the top. 

- I was on a path that was referred to, on signs along the way, as a "loop", so I thought the path would circle back to my car, which I left in Konehete Park where the trail begins.  However, to end up back there, I think I should have taken the railroad tie "steps" to walk across the path on this old Southern Railroad trestle.  I went left instead and ended up, after about three miles, beside an old train depot, where there was a farmers' market going on.  I had no idea of the direction my car might be!

A very nice man, wearing a panama style hat, sat beside the open tailgate of his pickup truck at the edge of the farmers' market.  He was selling green beans and such, probably among the last of the summer's bounty and was a little amused by my dilemma.  (Probably because I emerged from the woods looking so confused.)  :)  He said I had walked a long way and that I was going to have to walk another mile of so through the downtown area of Murphy to get back to where (he thought) my car might be.  This part of the walk was something I didn't envision at all.  :)  After a couple of wrong turns, I found my car - I wanted to hug it - and made my way back to the part of the river I know so well.

Have a lovely weekend, y'all!

16 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

Ha ha there's nothing like spotting your car when you are lost. Well I even lose mine in a car park.

Have a lovely weekend Lynn!

sage said...

It has been a long time since I was in Murphy...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynn - always a worrying thing as one sets out ... but what an interesting trail and I too love the Cherokee symbols - I'm so glad people are now beginning to realise what incredible nations the Indians were ... similarly to the ones in Africa ...

So pleased you got back safely! I think if I'd been the nice man in the panama .. I'd have dropped you round .. but perhaps the walk was a good one ... though hugging the car desire showed you were so pleased to have found it ..


Cheers and enjoy the weekend - Hilary

desk49 said...

No rime today
I'm sorry to say
I've so many
things to do

The walk looked grand
even the river span
and the bridge
was old not new

I'm on my way
I'm sorry to say
so a car hug
from me to you

Elephant's Child said...

Leeches? Shudder. Going through a rainforest I got them everywhere, including one in my ear.
Love your walk though. And am very glad you found your way (eventually). Have a wonderful weekend.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Such a lovely lovely area--as always, wonderful pictures......Back in the day---every so often I would lose my car in a mall parking building----I'd forget what floor I put it on....lol....Very disconcerting....!

Leonora said...

I can't believe you meandered your way to losing your car. That sounds like something I would do! I got lost walking in St. Louis a couple of years ago. I started to panic inside because I really couldn't find my way back... the crazy thing was, I never even left the block I started from. Haha!

G. B. Miller said...

Ahh...sometimes adventures in fun, can actually be just that: fun!

Just think of the extra calories you burned up that day. :D


Father Nature's Corner

Lee said...

I always love going on these strolls with you, Lynn....or just sitting pondering looking at the water...beautiful...tranquility personified!

Ileana said...

Now that's a true adventure! I have to admit, I was entertained and a little scared for you reading this. I've seen too many horror movies! By the end of this post I wanted to hug your car as well. Beautiful photos, btw.

Sparkling Red said...

Shady, leafy, and isolated... sounds delightful! I'm glad that you found your way safely back to your car. You must have slept well that night.

Riot Kitty said...

I love how you find beauty everywhere. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Looks like a lovely place to walk, even to get lost in! I often think trail signage could be better and clearer.....

Joanne said...

I'm sure it must have been scary to not know what direction your car was in..but at least you stumbled across the market!

Sara said...

I've had walks like that one -- they're thrilling until you realize you have no clue where you are! But the pictures are lovely and there's almost always someone to point you the right direction. I probably would've hugged my car.

I like what Riot Kitty said. I think this is very true of you.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Nifty walk place! Yep, don't get dizzy on that ledge!