Tuesday, April 7, 2015

GSMNP quilt contest





At the Oconaluftee Visitor Center there is a quilt hanging over the fireplace, encased in glass, it was hard to get a good picture of it because of the glare.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the GSMNP, a quilt contest was held. The winner was Naomi Davis of Sevierville, Tennessee.

"My Smoky Mountain Memories" is the quilt, described in a handout at the desk. The following was copied verbatim, not sure if this was written by the quiltmaker, or if these typos are from the government agency who is handing it out:

Quilt block description .. starting at the left top coner...

(1) "Log Cabin" .. Remines us of all the folk that came and settled in these mountains. Some of the cabins these folk built still remain in the park today to let us see how they lived, and the places they choose for their homes.

(2) "Split Rail Fence" .. They split the logs to make fences to protect their homes, gardens and to show their boundary lines.

(3) "The Mill Wheel" .. There had to be mills built to grind their grains. They were built alone the creek banks to use the power of the water for the big stone wheels. Some of these mills are still in the park for visitors to see.

(4) "Peaceful Hours" .. In 1934 this land was set aside for a national park, therefore we can spend many peaceful hours relexing and enjoying all the beauty this "Great Smoky Mountain National Park" has to offer everybody that comes here to visit.

(5) "Stepping Stones" .. There are many, many hiking and motor trails to explore, one being the "Appalachian Trail" that runs the lenght of the park.

(6) "Hills and Valleys" .. From the trails, one can explore the hills and valleys. Cades Cove on the south end and Cataloochee on the north end of the park, with lots to see and enjoy in between.

(7) "Crossed Canoes" .. Before the settlers came to these mountains, the "Cherokee Indians" used canoes for travel on the waterways. Now visitors use them for recreation in the many streams in the park.

(8) "Turkey Tracks" .. Wild turkeys still roam the park in a lot of places. Keep a sharp eye as you go alone trails and the motor trails. You should be able to spot them in Cades Cove, on the Cherokee Orchard motor trail and many other locations in hte park.

(9) "Butterfly at the Crossroads" .. There are many butterflies to be seen in these mountains. Hope you can be here to see the Monarch as it migrates back to Mexico.

(10) "Flock of Geese" .. When they fly north, it is a reminder that spring is here. Then all the beautiful "Wild Flowers" peek out to welcome us. When they fly south it's time for the beautiful fall colors.

(11) "Maple Leaf" .. As fall comes, the maple tree shows it's colors so brite it can't be missed. With all the beautiful fall colors, then we know winter can't be far behind.

(12) "Bear's Paw" .. Of all the animals in the park, the "Black Bear" is the best known. And with winter coming on us, it's time for the bears to take their winter nap. Hope all that visit the park will be able to see one.

(13) The animals at the top of the quilt is only a sample of the ones that live her. The "Wild Flowers" at the bottom is a very small sample of the flowers that grow here. These are pictures I have taken, I have a collection of about (150) I have taken over the years here in the park.

Flowers... in center of quilt - Pink lady slipper and pink trillium. Bottom - left to right - May Apple, Showy Orchis, Indian Pink, Dogwood, Wild Geranium, Heal-All, Heart's-a-Burstin (spring), Heart's-a-Burstin (fall), Coreopsis, Vasey's Trillium, Yellow Lady Slipper, Sweet Shrub, Yellow Violet, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and the Thistle.

spring