Big Piney (Oct 27)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4125892414_da00e957d2_o.jpg

This is an overlook just up the hill from Longpool that overlooks the Big Piney creek. I have been visiting this spot for as long as I can remember. I had a tough time getting up high enough to get above the trees here. I wish I still had the xterra so I could have stood on top of it. The river makes a nice little bend here with Longpool Rec area at the far left and the "mother" rapid on the far right. Here is another view of that. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4076895728_5386216f2d_o.jpg

I like the foreground trees! Gives it more depth. Good fall color! I'd keep revisiting it too.

A beautiful spot Matt and nice timing on the fall color and nice clouds. Well done on both. This spot is on my list to shoot sometime also.

Nice shots of an interesting spot, Matt. I love the fog.

Is this the spot where the college kids go to look at the Dover Lights?

Matthew, this has been one of my favorite spots since I started paddling way back in the 70's!!! I always stop and just admire the view from this overlook when running the Big Piney. I was there just last weekend but the view did not have to great clouds and color that you have captured in you photo. The rapid in the upper right in your second photo is the, "Cascades of Extinction." Thanks for sharing.

Awesome shots Matt. What a great place to shoot. I've never been up there before. I'll have to check that out sometime.

Yea John the famous "Dover Lights" I have been up there at night quite a few times. I have ran into some very strange people up there that were looking for the lights.

Tom I guess we are talking about the same rapid. I have just always heard it called the mother.

Yea, Matthew, same rapid, aka, "The Mother"

I had never heard of the Dover Lights, and so I googled it, and for the benefit of anyone else who is mystified by the reference, the story is that they have something to do with the ghosts of Spanish conquistadors. Here is some of what I found:

http://www.strangeusa.com/ViewLocation.aspx?locationid=1612
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/WireHeadlines/2009/08/23/arkansas-man-says-dover-lights-a-hoax-45.php
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=37930370685

Oh goodness, I hope I'm not the cause of all this - I've been down in the 'bottoms doing light paintings at night for many years now - could that be what you all are seeing?

Nope, couldn't be you, Tim. I have it on good authority that it's actually a flock of that little known hybrid species, lightning ducks, otherwise known as firefowl.

That would explain the honking good time they've been having!

Yea I have heard the story about the Spanish ghosts. I have also been told it is the ghosts of an indian tribe that was slaughtered on the creek. It seems likes most of the people that are up there looking for the lights are doing quite a bit of drinking and an another illegal activity that could explain some of the strange lights being seen. In April of 2001 I saw around 30 or 40 cars parked up here on a Saturday night. Probably over 100 people up there looking for the lights. Bunch of weirdos out that night.

I have made countless 4-wheeler trips from Longpool(back when atv's were allowed) to the top and the only light I have ever seen is a glow from campfires at Longpool. Still a great place to catch a sunset though.

Funny commentary on the "lights" LOL!

Nice Image Matt, wonderful color and fantastic weather.

I love that whole area in and around longpool.

Ed it is a great area and often overlooked except for Longpool Falls. There are a couple other nice falls along the Moccasin Gap Horse Trails. Stave Mill Falls is small but very scenic. I haven't been back in there in since 2003. Wow six years, doesn't seem like it. How are things coming along for you?