High Water

Heavy rain upriver has produced very high water downstream at Riverbend. In the photo above, high water marks from muddy river water show the dramatic levels. This is a photo of the usually dry creek between the Stringham property and ours. The water is not flow down the creek, but back flow from Smith Creek and Deep River.

In another view of the same area above, the water level was about 8 feet above the current level within the past two days. I am at the center of the photo modeling my new hiking attire ... blaze orange vest. Seems a bit strange to have to wear such protective colors while hiking my own property. 

New Posted Sign

When entering Riverbend, visitors are greeted by a new posted sign. This one is near the Private Property sign that has been up for a couple of years. Similar signs are now posted throughout RB.

The surprise is that our property is now posted by a group called the "Poor Boys HC."  I assume that I can still enter my property, but do I now have to carry proof of ownership? Other visitors to the property who are not owners have to be prepared to show written permission to be there. If I am approached by someone claiming to be part of the HC do I have to leave? Who authorized these postings?

Leaf Color at RB

This is the best time of year at Riverbend. The air is cool and dry. There are fewer "biting insects" or snakes. The colors are spectacular.

On Saturday November 12th I drove to RB before daylight with two goals, to look for hunters (there were none) and to enjoy a gorgeous day ( I was not disappointed). Each of our properties are botanical and wilderness treasure troves. I have recently heard of a scupernong-muscadine vine that is 12 inches in diameter at RB. This could not have survived to this age of several hundred years without protection. Most likely the protectors were the Tuscarora tribe that inhabited this area.

Apropos to the season, I encountered a large "tom" turkey on my expedition.

First Frost at RB

November 12th saw the first frost. I stopped at the roadside as I drove in just after sunrise to pick up what I thought was pieces of a torn plastic bag. To my surprise it melted quickly in my hand ... it was ice.


I carefully picked up another one and photographed it up close. Does anyone know how to describe this phenomenon? All were attached to grass and were melted within 5 minutes.

Mowed Right of Way

The utility right of way has been mowed for the first time in several years. Judging by the small trees that had to be cut in the easement, it has been 6-8 years since a mowing. This neatly cropped pathway is about 50 feet wide and extends from the Logan property to the Deep River and beyond. It creates an easy hike to the river although descending to the river is challenging. As visible in the photo, an enterprising hunter has placed a near perfect deer stand with views of several hundred feet in both directions. This photo is from the road and clearly within range of a rifle.

Lee County Data

The data stored online at the Lee County website has changed recently. When I checked our RiverBend property data in January 2011 the site accurately reflected our purchase date of April 4, 2002 and the accurate price. This changed sometime in the last few months. The purchase date is now 6/11/1993 with a sale price $10,000 less. Other data are correct as far as I can tell although the legal designations are unknown to me. I am not sure how important these changes are. There are changes to many of the RB property owners' data.

You can check your data by opening the above website and using the controls at the top left. Click the "+" sign then with the cursor (arrow) click our area of Lee county until the property boundaries appear in red. Then click the "i" button and place the cursor arrow within your property and click. Your information will appear in the panel at the right.

Alternatively, you can fill in the owner blank with your name and press enter. Data will appear at right.