EB Jeffress Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Cascade Falls Trail

Looking for an easy hike, with great views, my Faithful Hiking Companion suggested EB Jeffress Park at MP 272 on the Blue Ridge Parkway....and it turned out to be two great hikes that anyone can take with some really great views

The Parkway South at the 421 access remains closed so we took the detour. Turns out the the detour intersects with the BRPW between MP 267 and 266....and we went the wrong way....message to fans....take a right not a left....no problem as we got some great views of Mt Jefferson when we turned around at an overlook facing north. We looked at Mt Jefferson and the town of West Jefferson which sits at the foot of this 4000 foot mountain.

Mt Jefferson once had a rather non politically correct name that somehow the Parks system just had to reference in its sign....jeez!

A 73 degree spring day is a great time to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway....with the top off my jeep....great views surrounded us.

At MP 272 is the EB Jeffress Park....a 600 acre gift from the former North Carolina Commissioner of Highways.  It contains some great picnic sites, nice views and two trails that anyone can hike sporting very nice views.  It was a perfect hike for a spring day.

The hike to the Cascade Falls begins on the south end of the parking lot behind the bath house.  It is billed as a 30 minute hike...but that is just the walk time....it will take twice that long if you take time to enjoy the sights.  The trail is a part of the Mountain To Sea Trail system and soon forks.  

We took the left fork as a blogger suggested it to be the best way to hike the loop trail.  I really think he was wrong....take the right trail and hike it counterclockwise for the best views. Still as we walked the trail clockwise we found ourselves following a small but rapid flowing mountain stream.

The stream which would eventually become Cascade Falls roared as it flowed over rocks, but was amazingly shallow and narrow.  But it offered some really nice scenes for pictures.  

 We soon crossed the stream over a log bridge which was really more stable than it looks.

As we crossed the bridge the stream widened and we found to our amazement a cairn on a stump in the middle of the stream.  It was not an ordinary cairn but one which was so carefully constructed that I dared not add my own stone lest it would fall apart.  Nevertheless it did make me pause to give thanks for the beauty of God's creation.

Not far from the cairn, the trail merged and we followed the stream toward a roaring sound.  Still the stream did not give an indication that it soon would become and 80 foot waterfall.

Climbing down some rock stairs we emerged on a rock overlook which gave a great view of the upper part of Cascade Falls.  The falls drop over several hundred feet in elevation over more than a 100 yards.  I understand a few winters ago someone ventured to the top of the falls and slipped...it was a fatal misstep as they found him at the based of the falls...which we could not see from the upper overlook.

But climbing down the stairs to the lower overlook we got a better view of the falls, and soon spotted a trail on the other side of the wall leading down by the falls.  A man and his two sons were taking photos with fancy gear from a spot about 150 feet below the overlook.

What is a FBWG to do....am I going to let another photographer get a better shot of the falls?   No way...so I hopped the wall and slid down the side of the mountain clinging to trees hoping that they were sturdy enough to support my weight until I got to a place to take some really nice pictures of the falls.

The falls roared by just a few feet from me as I tried to position myself to take a photograph without toppling over the steep, slippery mountain side....

Climbing back up to the lower overlook I paused to catch my breath and suddenly realized while I was looking at the falls, I was about to miss a wonderful forest window.



On the way out we met a nice couple Jamey and Casey....don't ask me who is Jamey and who is Casey cause I don't remember...but I promised I would make them famous by photographing them in front of orange spring mountain flowers.

Spring View of the Yadkin Valley from EB Jeffress Picnic area 

The trail is easy to find....and well maintained and marked....9....the views are a solid 8...would be better if the trail led to the base of the falls but for most folks the two overlooks are enough...the effort to view ratio is fair .... not a long nor hard hike, it is a little over a mile round trip...but it results in  a view of a great waterfall.....over all an 8 ranking. But remember this is but the first of two hikes at EB Jeffress Park!

Thompson Knob Trail 

Across the parking lot from the Cascade Trail is the Thompson Knob Trail which leads to the Jesse Brown cabin and the Cool Springs Baptist Church, both replica log buildings set in a meadow which can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The trail is a half mile out and a half mile back 

trail which is surprisingly more strenuous than it looks especially on a humid spring afternoon.   

But the trail made me wish I had taken some botany classes.  I wonder what is the name of this umbrella shaped plant that produces a spectacular blossom in the shade of its green leaves?

The trail is also a part of the Mountain to Sea Trail and soon emerges in a sunny green meadow where a sign explains the replica structure of the Cool Springs Baptist Church. 

Inside the building there were plenty of opportunities for interesting pictures.  Not far from the church was Jesse Brown's Cabin where some photographers were taking promotional shots for a guitar player.

 So I took my own picture of the fellow...bet my picture is every bit as good as those taken by the fancy photographers with the expensive equipment.  And my services are free!  

After the the Guitar man left the cabin, I got to explore the cabin and take some many other shots of my own.   From the inside I photographed the church from between the log walls.

Then I spied a spring house not far from the cabin.  From the spring house I took at nice picture of the Jesse Brown Cabin.

You could imagine what life must have been like in the 19th century in the Blue Ridge.  This spring house would have been very important to the the Jesse Brown family.

Spring time in the Blue Ridge is very special.  The renewal of the greenery of the trees and the wild flowers blooming are enchanting and remind me of a quote I recently posted on Fat Bald White Guys Photos and More Facebook.

"Play with life, dance lightly with life, knowing that life's only true lessons are writ small in the margins"  Jonathan Lockwood Huie

This trail is also easily accessed and marked....9....but not much on scenery....7....the buildings and flowers are nice but I really value the breathtaking scenery.....overall an 8 ranking.

Don't forget to visit the Elk Mountain overlook, the last stop before the Parkway is closed for repairs....nice views

Bennett Place

WITNESSING THE SURRENDER  

                                                        April 26, 2015

 

On April 26, 1865, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army to Union General William Tecumseh Sherman at a small farm between Durham and Hillsborough, North Carolina. 

 It is at Bennett Place that the American Civil War came to an end.

One Hundred and Fifty years later, the Fat Bald White Guy and his faithful Hiking Companion ventured to this special place to watch a reenactment of the surrender complete with  Billy Yanks and Johnny Rebs.

A young private from the 21st Ohio stood guard at the Unity Monument.  Note the wreaths of flowers placed at the monument and the black arm band on the soldiers arm. 

Over 600,000 Americans lost their lives in this senseless war, a fact that was on my mind today.  This young man would have been the age of a typical soldier.

The Bennett Farm house was chosen because it was conveniently located between the two armies.  The farm had been occupied by the Bennett Family since 1846.  Several members of the family were Confederate soldiers, at least one had died from illness while deployed.  

The two Generals looking for a way to end the war met on several occasions beginning April 17, 1865 and ending with the formal surrender and stacking of arms on April 26, 1865.  The historical site features a visitor's center and museum as well as a historically accurate replica farmstead.

The original chimney adorns farm house where the negotiations and final surrender took place. 

An open parade ground is adjacent.  On this day the farm was buzzing with activity as Union soldiers were bivouacked in the woods on one end of the field and Confederate soldiers occupied the other end.  

The camps had open fires and were period correct.  The soldiers were eager to pose for pictures and explain what it was like to live and fight in the Civil War era.

We got to watch the Confederate Soldiers muster and go through the manual of arms. This is a rag tag group....a bit older and fatter than you would expect of a typical civil war soldier...

In the Union Camp, the fife and drums were especially entertaining playing tunes made familiar from Ken Burns series on the Civil War. 

Milling around the parade ground intermingling with the spectators were some of the principal actors of the day.  General Johnston was in a finely tailored grey dress uniform and "Uncle Billy" Sherman sported a ruddy red beard.  

 

The Generals also took time to talk with members of the North Carolina General Assembly.... Gosh, I hope they are not negotiating new surrender terms!  I would hate to think we would have to allow more Yanks to move south!

At two o'clock, the drums and fifes began to play and the two armies marched on the field. The first was the Confederate Army under the watchful eye of members of the Union Cavalry.

As they passed by the Bennett Farm, they were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. 

On the parade grounds, the Confederate Army presented arms welcoming General Johnston to the field where he read to them General Order 22, dismissing them from service concluding: 

Comrades...I earnestly exhort you to observe faithfully the terms of the pacification agreed upon; and to discharge the obligations of good and peaceful citizens, as well as you have performed the duties of thorough soldiers in the field. By such course, you will best secure the comfort of your families and kindred, and restore tranquility to the country. 

Receiving their final orders, the Confederate Army marched across the field and faced the Union Army and began the surrender of arms.  

But first they paid honor to their flag. 

 Each man in turn touching and even kissing the flag before stacking arms.

During this ceremony, not a word was said by anyone.  It was a solemn and sad experience, with one spectator behind us even wiping her eyes as she softly cried as the arms were stacked.    

As I watched I recalled the words of a Confederate Veteran who said:  

"May justice and righteousness dwell in the land, may mutual tolerance and forbearance take the place of sectional jealousy and bitterness; may the God of love so completely fill the hearts and minds of  this people that the god of battles may nevermore find room in their thoughts; may the reign of the Prince of Peace speedily begin and His  blessed dominion extend over God's  beautiful earth." (Dr. H.T. Bahnson) 

The day ended with a show of unity before the memorial.  The armies marched in and saluted the two generals as they rode between them. 

Musicians sang patriotic songs of the era.....and folks gathered to commemorate the day with a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

Many a son of the Old North State gave their life in this senseless war.  Over 600,000 men died....slaves were freed ....but it took 100 years for African Americans to be afforded equal rights.  There had to have been a better way.

It was not a hike.....but it was a great day. The Bennett Place is a great North Carolina Historical site to visit.  I even got to take a picture with the General.....not Uncle Billy....but General Joseph Johnston....a great American, soldier, congressman, patriot.....who became close friends after the war with William Tecumseh Sherman.  Overall a 10+ day!

I end with some shots of some interesting faces of the day.

 

Notice the sad looks.  I think everyone was in character today. 

Joseph E. Johnston stood bareheaded at the February funeral of General Sherman in New York.] A concerned bystander leaned forward. "General, please put on your hat; you might get sick." But Johnston would not. His warrior's heart would not let him deny his old friend a soldier's last honor. "If I were in his place," Johnston said, "and he were standing here in mine, he would not put on his hat." Ten days later, Joe Johnston was dead.

in To The Last Cartridge by Robert Barr Smith