Photowalk Update

04-13-2014
The Lake Junaluska Photowalk occurred yesterday, as scheduled, on a warm and breezy spring afternoon.

It was the idea of Kathy Olsen, who is the Adult Services Librarian at the Haywood County Public Library in Waynesville. So here’s a Big Thank You to Kathy for planning and coordinating the event. She couldn’t have ordered a nicer day!

Our group of nine adults and four young people enjoyed many fine photo-ops along the route, which took us on the popular walking trail and up a steep road and a stone stairway to historic Lambuth Inn and Inspiration Point. From that vantage point, we could look down on the Lake and the Lake Junaluska Assembly grounds, set against a backdrop of mountains. Just perfect, as it is so often at this beautiful location.

It wasn’t long after we set out at 4 p.m. that the members of our small group spread out a bit as each became immersed in their own photography, leaving me with little to do except lead the way at a very relaxed pace. One point I did bring up was how the appearance of the lake changes over days, weeks, and seasons, which makes it rewarding to return frequently. For example, we’ll soon see an explosion of flower color just about everywhere in the vicinity of the lake. Here’s what it looked like in front of Stuart Auditorium last July.

A profusion of brightly colored flowers just across the street from Stuart Auditorium.

Shortly after 6 p.m. we reconvened in the parking area and headed to Bocelli’s restaurant in nearby Waynesville to enjoy fine food, lively conversation, photo sharing, and even some entertainment in the form of an impressive tablecloth art demonstration by Ed Kelley. The resulting multi-colored bird was cut out with scissors to be saved for posterity. I did not get a photo of the completed work.

Ed Kelley entertains with crayon art.

So the inaugural Photo Walk was an auspicious beginning to what I hope will be an ongoing series of such events at Lake Junaluska. As I have said several times, it is a primo, ever-changing photo site that rewards the photographer who returns frequently.

Participants will be posting their best images on Flickr, and their chosen prints will be hung at the library and judged by Lori Johnson and me. First and second places will receive photography-related prizes.

Here are a few photos I took during the walk.

Epworth Old Rectory, World Methodist Headquarters

World Methodist Council Building is an exact replica of the Epworth Old Rectory in England that was home to young John Wesley, who went on to found Methodism.