"Simple like an uncarved block."
Tao te Ching


"Like an acorn that holds the promise of a thousand forests."

Sunday, September 27, 2009

SUNDAY STROLL - IF THE CREEK DON'T RISE

If God's 'willin', and the creek don't rise I'll be there, is a good old saying.
We have friends who live on the other side of a dry creek bed. Well, it's dry most of the time except during rainy season and since there is no bridge across the generally dry area they sometimes get stranded on the home side and enjoy their quiet time until the water goes down enough to drive across. Follow me down the path to our creek and I'll show you the potential for too much water in a creek. We live at the end of the road and we are downhill from most of our neighbors. That has created runoff pathways where water needs to go downhill toward the creek and then on to the lake. Home sites and streets probably diverted some water courses but here at the end of the road we see lots of water passing by.
This is the bottom of the path down to the creek and we are looking back up toward the house. I hope you can see how the water has washed away the leaves and dirt to expose the tree roots making an uneven but effective stair step for our descent.
Over a short distance from the path you can see two run offs in full cascade; water rushing to join the stream that has been filling from other run offs all along the creek bed.


This is what the water now looks like under the bridge after days of rain. Tennessee has been blessed or not depending on where you live. Many people have lost their homes to flooding. This is not a flood for us. Just a full rapid river of water finding it's place to settle.

Just last Sunday I took this picture and used it in my Sunday Stroll. Pretty peaceful looking don't you think. Usually it is a quiet contemplative place to sit and day dream.

This is today. We are looking at the same little water fall area and back up the small slow meandering waterway. What a difference a few days and a lot of rain can make. Just for fun I took a video of the sights and sounds down at our idyllic spot in the woods.



Be sure to join others as they take a stroll around one of their favorite spots

7 comments:

Marcie said...

Wow, you really have had some rain! I love the sound of the rushing water in the video!

Cloudhands said...

We can hear the sound when we step out the back door up here at the house. We have had bigger rains two different times in the spring when the bridge has washed down the creek. It is tied off now in hopes that never happens again.

Gilly said...

That is a great video! Still photos can be beautiful or spectacular, but they don't give an impression of the power of the water like your video does!

You've certainly had some rain!

Everydaywoman said...

Oh my goodness, Cloudhands, you've gotten your share (or more than) of rain recently! I'm just glad it's not a flood for you.

We had a good, soaking rain on Sunday, which we dearly needed, but my heart breaks for those who have lost their homes to flooding.

Cloudhands said...

Gilly and Ruth,
This recent rain is a 'gully washer' alright. As long as we don't get washed away it is wonderful to see and hear. Thanks for stopping by and sharing the wonder of it all.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Cloudhands, I have something similar where I live. At the back of my property is a "dry creek" but not dry at the moment.
I want to wander back to that area.
Not comfortable as no one here with me, it pretty far back and it is muddy and a lot of branches down. Will wait until kids visit. Wanted to take some pictures.

Cloudhands said...

Ernestine,
I see the potential for a fun family work day. Promise to feed them and on a dry winter day when snakes are tucked away for the season and the bugs are fast asleep in cocoons you can clear at least one reasonably wide path to that secluded area. We have often used mild winter days to blaze paths, clearing dead wood and low hanging branches and the nasty briars. For now boots, heavy pants and jacket and certainly another person to help manage the hike. Call it an adventure and have at it.