Getting some Air

This was an event held at Beech Mountain Ski Resort for the third year in a row. It's the 2009 3rd Rail Jam. Amateur snowboarders and skiers awed the crowed with jumps and tricks for the winning prize. There were also graffiti artists and hip-hop music for the fans to listen too. It was a great time. Check for more images at mtnsnapshots.smugmug.com/Events/2009-3rd-Rail-Jam-at-Beech.

The Fairview Flyers Unicycle Team, which is from Asheville, N.C., graced the campus of Appalachian State University during the ASU and UNCG basketball game. They put on a very special show by showing the American spirit. They performed to Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" song and the crowd loved them. The team has fourth and fifth graders on it and practices four days a week. They perform halftime shows and parades. They have also performed at Disney.

The Airport was Full

This female cardinal was trying to move this little sparrow but it didn't work out too well for the cardinal. She had to wait her turn because the sparrow held its ground. This was an event that took place at the "airport" birdfeeder all day long. The feeder had cardinals, bluejays, chickadees, sparrows, juncos, nuthatches, titmouses and even a red-bellied woodpecker. Yes, it was a complete day, very cold one indeed, to view and watch the birds taking turns at the feeder. I was glad to be able to provide the food to help sustain thier energy for the winter day.

Watauga County and Surrounding Areas Hit Hard

This is a scene from Howards Creek Road. It was like this all over the county and into Ashe County. At one time 12,000+ people were out of power, me included, and it took several crews from Blue Ridge Electric to get power back on in most parts. There are still some without power. Watauga County was in a state of emergency because of the power outages and just the way this storm laid down its ice. I have heard this was the worst since 1983. Anyway, this storm made the area look like a war zone with the trees down and ripped off at the top. It sure sounded like it when you stepped outside.