It was a beautiful day for a drive along the Watauga River. Following along Old Watauga River Road from Valle Crucis we drove on a paved and unpaved narrow road through tranquil, pastoral farmland and ended up on Hwy 301 between Tennessee and Boone. Sometimes the road took us right along the river, other times climbing high above; along the way we saw the occasional  fisherman trying his luck, a father and daughter setting out to tube and one mother with kids having a quiet picnic by the clear, calm water. Like a pristine mirror, the river reflected the dramatic gorge and blue skies.  We’ve had a fair amount of rain in the High Country this year and the landscape is as green as is can get. The only wildlife spotted today were the cows and calves grazing on the hills.  We’ll be back.

For information on the Watauga River Basin visit: www.water.ncsu.edu/watauga.html