HOLIDAY WEATHER IN ACA

This time of year is always a tricky one if the weather is squirrely, with so many people traveling in and/or out of Apple Creek.  Luckily, the weather is pretty tame insofar as travel issues go this year.  Lots of rain incoming soon, then clearing some Christmas Day.  There is ever so slight a chance the last of the rain switches to snow briefly around midnight Christmas Eve, but travel won't be affected.  Deep cold is simply not in the forecast, though marginal temps this weekend may make for a very limited rain-snow mix in the very limited moisture field moving in.  Again, zero travel issues for anyone. 

With that said, I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday as 2014 comes to a close.  In my former life I did a lot of a Capella singing...a young group called Pentatonix is doing some neat things in that department, so I'm posting a holiday song of theirs you might like.

Bob

BLACK ICE, MORE LIGHT SNOW

0.2-0.3" of snow here at the end of Staymon this AM, so just a really heavy dusting. I found a goodly amount of black ice on my steep driveway so had to salt it.  However, I got a call that at least from Staymon Rd to the bottom, Apple Creek Road was in good shape with no problem areas.

Flurries and snow showers could continue sporadically today and any accumulations should be limited to our higher elevations, much like yesterday.  A colder day today, though, with most of us not getting out of the 30s.

Bob

CAUTION ON APPLE CREEK ROAD

Since our Thanksgiving snow, there's been a good bit of travel up and down our main road.  Traveled it myself a good bit.  However, I just made a run into town and was surprised at the sudden iciness of the shaded road sections above the blue roof house.  All the travel has taken the limited snow and packed it into a dangerously icy coat...by the looks of some other tell-tale tire tracks, others have not only slipped but not fared well.

Temps are warming nicely this weekend, but for anyone heading out, take it very cautiously.  I hope the situation will abate by tomorrow afternoon.

Bob

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! NOW GO SHOVEL....

Snow about 4am this morning

Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like a white turkey!  I have right at 3" of snow now here at the end of Staymon, but I'm near 3800' so I don't know what we have on the roads at the bottom of ACA which is close to 1,000' lower.  I'm getting out and driving later and not anticipating troubles, just some good ol' exercise taking care of my driveway.  I may or may not be able to update this later today, so if you have any road reports, etc., please post them below in the comments section.

Bob

ROUND 2 TONIGHT

Nature:1  Forecast:0

Temperature here hit 33 around 5:30am and rain changed to snow for a heavy burst of less than 1/2".  Below 3500' there was nothing, basically.  Tonight and Thursday there is another chance for 1-3" of snow, with lows that will be below 32 degrees...so now a matter of how much moisture is left to pass through.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from midnight through noon Thanksgiving Day.  1-3" of snow is forecast. Winds will be a bit gustier, as well.  Thankfully, highs today will keep the ground warmish for the next incoming cold shot.

Bob

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

This is an odd event coming in, odd because we may not drop to 32 degrees until Wednesday night.  Instead of coming in from the NW, a low off the Carolina coast will spin moisture up from the coast and pull down some colder air aloft, and the ruling thought is we'll accumulate a few inches of wet snow.  There may be no accumulation for places near us to the north....Maggie's zone forecast calls for no accumulation overnight.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 9pm tonight through 12 noon Wednesday.  2-4" of wet snow is expected in the advisory counties, especially to the south. 

My models have both had ACA in a 3-5" zone, but I expect some melting if not rain mixing in as our forecast low is only 33 degrees.  The latest run of the NAM has us in 10-12", so maybe it is seeing potentially colder temps and more snow/less rain. The GFS has not yet followed suit.  Ugh.  Given our warm ground temps, I really don't expect travel troubles in ACA unless you have only 2WD which might be problematic in thicker slush should it amount to that on our roads. The 2-4" outlook for the moment seems plausible.

Snow chances, albeit limited, will return Wednesday night and parts of Thanksgiving Day when temperatures will be colder, just less moisture to work with.

Bob

WEATHER INFO

In part, I wanted to post some info on the past couple of weeks for those homeowners that are not up here on the mountain, to keep them informed...but also to look ahead for a potentially wintry mix Tuesday night through Wednesday for those here.

Before the first of two cold waves hit, we were experiencing strong inversions.  Before sunrise one morning, I had 51 degrees on my deck and when I got to Ingles it was 29 degrees....that's an astounding 22 degree inversion from just over 1000' elevation change.  In the first cold wave, I had a Friday low/high of 17/22, with a low of 14 Saturday morning before warming up.  Thankfully it did as I had 1.26" or rain Sunday.

The second cold hit was record setting in many locations...I have never seen single digit lows this early here, as it got down to 9 degrees behind the front, with 11 degrees the following morning. Thankfully it warmed again, and just yesterday Sunday's rain tallied 1.05" in my gauge here at the end of Staymon.

Lot of travel plans inbound and outbound around Apple Creek this week with Thanksgiving days away.  Yet another cold hit is also coming in Tuesday, though it won't be the bitter cold of the other two shots.  Regardless, we may well be in for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and rain Tuesday night into Wednesday.  Too early to tell which side of the temperature fence we will fall on, but my two snow models are already putting out 1-3" for ACA, with one pushing 3-5".  For now, the thinking is just 1" or less based on temps being just that critical degree or two warmer allowing for less frozen precip.  So just a heads up for the moment.  I'm pretty sure I'll post a more formal outlook by Tuesday afternoon.

Bob

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

Effective NOON today until 6AM Tuesday, ACA is under a Winter Weather Advisory.  Honestly, it's not about accumulations (trace-1.5" except for closer to the TN border) but the chance for the last of the rain to switch over to sleet or freezing rain before a little bit of snow.  It takes little snow or ice to make roads treacherous, and that's the concern with this system, the iciness. Bitter cold coming in quickly for Tuesday and Wednesay before a little warming to end the week.

NOV, 15 looking up to white ridge top from end of Staymon Rd.

In our last cold hit, I recorded a Friday low/high of 17/22 at the end of Staymon, with a Saturday AM low of 14.  Same type temps incoming. Thankfully, we had milder air come in the past couple of afternoons, but it's been raining hard this morning, and depending on how fast the temps drop we could see slippery conditions by this evening.  Digital output has us reaching 32 degrees by 4-5 pm.

All that to say 'heads up' and stay warm...and if you're like me, pile those towels by the door to dry off the four-leggeds.  :-)

Oh, and here was a neat picture I took looking down to the left of Junaluska with AM clouds breaking on a farm.  Click to enlarge.

NOVEMBER 6, 2014 looking down from the end of Staymon Rd.

Bob

UPDATE: ROAD WORK 2014

(The following is from our president Keith Patton concerning grading and paving as we round out 2014.  Circumstances far beyond ACAHOA's control have led to a split-work plan. The way I look at it, we'll be able to get a lot more paving done in 2015, after any other winter road damage upcoming.   Bob)
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I have had a lengthy discussion with the road contractor this morning. We have determined that with the weather getting ready to turn cold that we will postpone our paving work until Spring. Many factors have contributed to the work not being able to be done this year. 

1. Asplundh was here for 7 weeks clearing power line right of ways.

2.After they left we had a period of 6-8 weeks with 90%+ humidity when the road did not dry, and scattered rainy days that didn't help matters.

3. Finally, in the last 2 weeks the asphalt plant has had mechanical issues limiting/stopping their production.  All paving companies in this area pull asphalt from this one plant. Aside from their mechanical issues, incoming cold will stop any work regardless, and the plant always closes down for the season well before Thanksgiving.

The grading work planned for the side roads will be done next week as it is not temperature sensitive.  Timing/dates will be passed along as the time nears.

Keith Patton

UPCOMING GRADING/PAVING

I am passing on this information from our president Keith Patton...heads up for road work next week:
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While the weather has thrown every curveball it could on regional paving contracts for what few companies tend to this in Haywood County, we finally have a tentative date for work in Apple Creek.

It's important to know that on the paving day, Apple Creek Road will be paved side to side, requiring that a portion of Apple Creek Road be closed for a period of time.  More details on timing/location will be forthcoming as the day nears, but for now PLEASE pencil these dates in your calendar and be aware that travel will be temporarily halted at certain times next week.

GRADING OF SIDE ROADS: tentatively set for Tuesday, November 11

PAVING/PARTIAL ROAD CLOSURE: tentatively set for Wednesday, November 12

I'm writing this on  Monday afternoon, and depending on weather and other variables, there may be some changes as the dates near.  Any changes and updates will be posted here to help you know more precisely when travel may be temporarily affected.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Bob

ANOTHER UPDATE

Honestly, we came out very well in ACA, all things considered.  The worst is the sheer volume of leaves that fell in the overnight winds and mixed in with the snow, so above the Moskos' Blue Roof house, Apple Creek Road is quite covered in wet, slushy, slippery leaves.  Roads are great down low, but there is re-freeze tonight which may well make for slippery travel tomorrow in the higher, wetter elevations.  

Reports around the region are beyond impressive.  Luck, NC got 18" of snow, on the TN border north of us in Haywood County, and 22" in Spring Valley in Madison County....8" in Maggie Valley.  I expect very little other accumulation here, though.  The wind is biting, of course, but the week-long forecast is for a warm-up of sorts for us.

Bob

SNOW UPDATE

So far, there are numerous 4-7" snow totals all around us, but I've gotten only 3" in my gauge so far (no complaints, here!), with the wind taking care of some of it. Mt. LeConte in the Smokies had 16" as of 7am (!!!).  

Just plowed my leaf-filled driveway, and the warm ground certainly help with initial melting on the roads, as all was just slushy.  Getting ready to head down the mountain on errands and expect no troubles outside the usual caution wet snow is due.  When I get back, if there were problems, I'll post them.

Bob

WINTER STORM WARNING

(click to enarge any picture)

Here we go...and the first one of this season is a pretty good 'un.  I'll jump right into my normal terms and usage, so if you find it confusing you can search back in the archives and find my posting on a "snow primer" to find out more.

Amounts: I'd been holding off a bit as the two models pretty much had ACA in the 2-3" range for days, but first  the NAM started taking off a hotter and heavier. The GFS has now followed suit.  4-5" for ACA now seems more likely the LOW side of our potential, with 6-8" not out of the question (!!!).  Heavy wet snow can accumulate very quickly. As is usually the case, amounts will be higher toward the top of ACA, lower toward the bottom.

The National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning for ACA runs from 8p TONIGHT through 8pm SATURDAY. 4-6" is expected, and for NW facing slopes on the TN border (not us, of course) up to 10".  Early and late season snow storms can come in with a more moist air source, making for pretty good totals.

Temps: Temperatures will fall below 32 before midnight, and may not get back to that mark until Sunday afternoon.  Yes, the ground will have been warm, so some initial melting will take place, but it's safe to assume our roads will be rather snow covered by the time we wake up Saturday.

Timing: The best looking time periods for accumulation (not just any, but the 'likely' category) is from 3-7am and then again from late morning through early afternoon.  I don't expect the snowfall to be steady all day, rather more snow showery as the afternoon wears on.

Wind: Winds will pick up overnight and be steady in the 20-25mph range most of Saturday, with gusts to 40mph.  With the snow expected to be on the heavy wet side, accumulations could come rapidly in spurts. I've posted storm total graphics that are from the 8p model runs Thursday evening. If there are significant changes, I'll post them at the top here later this afternoon.

Yippee.

8PM Thursday GFS (* is ACA)

8PM Thursday NAM

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Scenes like these will look a bit different with their upcoming white blanket.  I couldn't resist stopping by Chris and Helen's a few days ago to get a few different angles of a flaming maple.  Enjoy!

Bob

LOST PUP: SHADOW

Making a new post here...I had Shadow for about 24 hours before she scooted off again late Saturday morning, around Staymon Road.  The owner is Chelsea Warren, renting the first house where Staymon goes flat.  She now has signs up about her: ~5 months, black lab mix, female, super sweet disposition and very friendly. Please call Chelsea if you have any information: (541) 515-2964. I have already posted info on her with the animal shelter and at Sarge's.  Thanks for everyone's help.

Bob

WEATHER AND OTHER UPDATES

From Tuesday AM through late Tuesday PM, we are in a zone of an expected 2-3" of rain, which will probably fall in two strong periods of rainfall, daybreak and after darkfall.  Winds will pick up as well, and power outages may become a possibility in the PM hours, but our ACA track record for power restoration is a really good one should that occur.  All that to say it'll be a gloppy 24 hours here, for sure.  I hate to see so many leaves falling before good color sets in, but such is the nature of our weather.

Speaking of weather, we have been anxiously awaiting decent weather so ACA can get our paving and grading done before the regional asphalt plant closes down for the winter.  Had the weather cooperated, that could have been right now, but clearly all that has been delayed.  When there is official word on the impending work, I'll post here, and you will also see signs posted at the entrance to the same effect.

A belated thanks as always to Irene and Judy for their festive handiwork at the ACA entrance....all done on their time and nickel, so feel free to speak to them and offer to defray their costs.  Every time I pull in I feel like I am coming home...  :-)

While the weather was nice last week, I made two short forays on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Balsam north past Highway 215 to 276.  Posting a few pics for your viewing pleasure (click to enlarge).  Interesting to note the number of coves at lower elevations with bright colors when higher areas had not yet turned.  We truly live in an incredible area with much to be thankful for!

Bob

COMMUNITY WATCH ALERT

(Posting the following message from Keith Patton.  Our Community Watch is only as good as our weakest observer as we travel in and out and around Apple Creek Acres.  Convey ANY suspicious cars, people, activity to the Haywood County Sheriff's Office @ 828-452-6666 with as much detail as possible.   Bob)

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I just wanted to let everyone know that earlier this morning I saw 3 young Hispanic males parked in the driveway next door. When they saw me they jumped into a small dark colored car and took off. I called the property owner and she said they had no business there. They left too quickly for me to get a tag. Probably be a good idea to post so everyone can be aware.

Keith

PAVING UPDATE

(Keith Patton wanted me to pass this along...the paving devil is in the details as it relates to weather and a backlog for everybody 'round these parts.   Bob)

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I have talked with the paving contractor this morning. (Custom Paving was the low bid again). Due to the wet and extremely humid weather they are 4 weeks behind. Our paved road MUST be dry for this work to be done (gravel roads will be done at the same time) so lets hope for an extended dry/less humid spell.  We save a lot of money by having the gravel road work done at the same time of paving, hence their being done simultaneously.

Keith 

ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES POSTED

(These are the annual meeting minutes just forwarded 

to me to post.  If you have any questions, it's best if you 

would address any board member directly as this is more 

of a notice board.   Bob)                                      

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                                  ANNUAL MEETING

            APPLE CREEK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

                                         AUGUST 23, 2014

Meeting was held at Haywood county Library in Auditorium at 10:00

CALL TO ORDER

A quorum was established: there were 71 votes with 10 homeowners  present and  additional proxies.  Keith Patton nominated Doyle Love to chair the meeting and was seconded, voted on and approved.  The minutes from 2013 meeting were read by Marilyn Herbert and  Doyle Love made two amendments to the wording and Laura Palmer made the one that reported her name as Linda instead of Laura. It was nominated by Doyle, seconded by Laura voted on and was passed.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

It was presented by Keith Patton. It was decided at a previous board meeting to keep costs down by sending the minutes and road assessments at the same time to keep mailing costs down; therefore, utilizing the web site that Bob Childs so graciously set up for the association. It was posted in May of 2014 on web site to ask for volunteers to help clean right-of-ways. Custom Paving is waiting for dry weather to pave worst sections of the road.  $20,000.00 is being spent on maintenance.  Frank Moskas and Laura Cabe raised the question on snow removal policy. It was discussed on preventative salt distribution before a heavy snow, however, it was brought up that it only works above 27 degrees and the contractor only comes when it has quit snowing.  It was brought up that that is the situation we have by living on the northern side, the windy road and high altitude.  Again David Stiles commented on the associations by-laws drawn up by an incompetent lawyer and the association suffers.  We all need to help when we can and keep our right-of-ways clean and cleared.  It was also mentioned to thank Judy Butler and Irene Jackson for their work in the beautification of the Apple Creek entrance.  It was also brought to attention that Burnt Fork was getting muddy from all the rain and Keith said that the contractor said that it did not need any gravel, but he would check it again when the paving company was able to work.  The President’s Report was moved, seconded and approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Jerry Tate gave the treasurer’s report and handed out to everyone present a copy of it.  As of July31,2014 the association has a balance of $23,906.88.  Frank Moskas commented on board saving on mailing costs and legal fees.  It was moved to accept the report, seconded, voted on and passed.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

David Stiles gave a report on liens.  It was commented on what a great job he did –it was time consuming and tedious.  He has been in contact with association’s lawyer, Mr. Bill Cannon.  Mr. Cannon commented on N.C. becoming more anti-HOA .  David agreed to stay on as VP to continue to follow up on filing liens.  With liens on 6-7 homeowner’s properties it is a waiting process until they sell or we get a collection agency.  Owen  asked if these liens were worth the money and time of what was to be collected and it was shown to be of value.  The report was moved , seconded , voted on and accepted.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORTS:

Laura Palmer was elected to head up a nominating committee with the help of three others.  They called numerous persons with no one willing to serve on the board.  Therefore, the four previous board members agreed to accept serving again.  Also, Norman Jacobs agreed to serve on the board.  It was voted on for five members to serve and passed.  Laura also motioned to have $200.00 accepted as the forgiveness on serving.  It was seconded, voted on and passed.

NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS

Laura presented the four previous officers and the five being Norman Jacobs.  There were no motions from the floor; therefore, it was moved by Laura to close the nominations, then seconded and approved.  Those serving are:

Keith Patton/President

David Stiles/ VP

Marilyn Herbert/ Secretary

Jerry Tate/ Treasurer

Norman Jacobs/ VP of Special Projects and to help where needed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

None

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Laura suggested to update the map that Chris Martin had previously made.  The board was going to try to construct a new updated one.  Again was suggested to utilize the Apple Creek web site. Again that is aplecreekacres.blogspot.com

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 11:30

Marilyn Herbert/ secretary

UPCOMING PAVING

Just wanted to put out a 'heads up' for the big annual paving work in Apple Creek which is on the books to be done soon.  There is one catch in all of this, though: the weather.  Road surfaces have to be thoroughly dry, and if you've been on the mountain of late you know it's been (and currently is) rather unsettled and showery.

Keith Patton and the board will be putting up signs (and keeping in touch with me)  to let you know when you can expect the work to be done, which will necessarily include road closure in certain areas for a few hours.  No way around that, but we'll all do our best to keep you informed when this will happen.  Unfortunately, there is no 'date' to be given well in advance, so pay attention to any signage you see, and when I get any updates I'll post it here, as well.

As an aside, when I receive the minutes from the annual HOA meeting, I will post them here. 

For your viewing pleasure if you've not been up here lately, a couple of pre-dawn shots from the end of Staymon Road.  Click to enlarge.   :-)

9-3-14

8-19-14

Bob

COYOTE UPDATE

It's been brought to my attention that coyotes have been not only active in ACA but making more brazen daylight appearances around homes here.  One such encounter was on Dawen Circle not too long after lunch.  A couple of weeks ago, a pack was in a yip-howl either on Tanneyhill or doggone close to Doyle Love's house above me around 10a.

Coyotes have been and will continue to be part of our environment here, but they are not just a night time threat to our pets or really anyone out and about in the woods.  Please be aware of this.

And don't forget your proxies if you can't make the August 23 meeting in person.  :-)   Too, over the past 4 days or so I measured 2.12" of rain.  Nice to see some sun today!



Bob

PROXIES - PLEASE READ

(Passing along the following from Keith Patton, ACAHA president...)

As previously posted, the ACAHA Annual Meeting is slated for Saturday August 23.  In order to have a quorum, 64 lot owners need to be represented...and you get represented either by showing up in person, giving your proxy to another lot owner, or assigning your proxy to an owner of choice.  Hand yours to your neighbor if they're going to the meeting, or to a board member, your choice. It's VERY important that proxies be returned/assigned by those not able to attend the meeting. Thank you for your help in this matter.


Bob

ANNUAL MEETING INFO

Be watching your mail box the next couple of weeks....our annual meeting is about 4 weeks away.

What:  Annual Meeting, ACAHA
Date: Saturday August 23, 2014
Where: Auditorium @ Haywood County Library
Time: 10a-12 noon

INFO ON RIGHT OF WAY CLEARING

(This is in response to a comment on the prior post concerning the recent clearing related to the power line right of ways in Apple Creek.  Explore the link provided below to find any answers to questions you may have.  Any concerns or complaints need to be sent to Duke Energy as we have no say so in any of this.  Standard practice, at least here in NC.)

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As I understand it, in NC Duke has the right to clear any right of way for all power line transmissions, to a distance that meets their safety standards, on anyone's property.  They do some limited clean-up, but most smaller branches and such  are left behind; in the case of emergency clearings, property owners are responsible for the clean-up.

HERE is a link to a Duke Energy FAQ page that should answer most of your questions.   Frequently Asked Questions -Duke Energy

		Frequently Asked Questions -Duke Energy We do not round trees over because its not good for the health of your trees. We subscribe to a method of pruning called lateral and directional pruning.
		View on www.duke-energy.com	Preview by Yahoo

If you still have questions or concerns, you need to contact Duke Energy directly as Apple Creek has no say so whatsoever about this operation.

Bob

TO CLEAR UP AN ISSUE...

Well, kinda sorta.  Most of you have seen the Asplundh tree crews on Apple Creek Road this past week, and may well see them some next week.  These are crews contracted by Duke Energy to clear the power line right of ways, and they've been working all around the greater Junaluska area.  I would assume they are not done as there are a couple of work signs face down in the weeds, so just a potential heads up for next week.

Bob

SOME PICS AND KUDOS

(CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE)

Sunrise color late June

Crepuscular rays 1

Crepuscular rays 2

These pics were taken last week...'crepuscular' is your 50-cent word of the day.  The middle shot was especially interesting in that the rays all fused in a solid shaft for maybe 1 minute before splitting up, all this after an early morning of some light but steady rain.
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I had the opportunity to talk with Irene (of The Big House) earlier today, and she wanted to express her thanks for the outpouring of monetary support for helping to keep up the entrance with flowers and plants.  Especially, she wanted to thank Chris and Helen for their donation of hostas fresh off their property...the entrance is something some may take for granted, but know that Irene and Judy, with the gifts from others, make it look so very lovely, all on their own volition and nickel.  A great big "thank you!" to all who had a part.  :-)

MY CONVERSATION WITH A BEAR

Note to self: bring the bird feeders in at night.  

     Last night, only about 7 feet from the bedroom window stood a rather large black bear that I struck up a conversation with.  No matter the din of three dogs barking madly at lawnmower-level decibels, it just stood there and looked at me as I talked with it.  I'm not adept at sexing bears at O'dark-thirty, so I'll pick the male version....I know enough to never call anything that's female 'big' or 'huge'.  :-)  That bear easily would tip the scales at 250#.  After it ambled off the deck at one gear higher than a 3-toed sloth, I set out my game camera, figuring it would return for that which it hadn't already destroyed.  FYI, the camera lens was roughly 45" above the deck, so even seeing only the south-bound end of a north-bound bruin, you can see he had some bulk.

Thursday morning I was treated to a brief sun spike before sunrise, with the upper level clouds just right.  Click to enlarge any pic, as always.                       - Bob

5-28-14 Dawn with sun spike

JUST SOME UPDATES AND INFO....

Sunrise May 26, 2014 (click to enlarge)

The mountain is lush right now, and as I type a good steady shower is helping to make it more so.  HOA president Keith Patton wanted me to pass long the following information, which may well answer questions some of you have. Bob

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1. The N.C. Department of Transportation # is 828-456-5633. This is who we all need to call to get action on the Mauney Cove Road potholes, as well as vegetation that sticks out over the edge of the road. 

2. We are in the early stages of planning our annual meeting. Anyone interested in serving on the Board next year should contact a current Board member (see list below).

3.We need volunteers to assist with weed eating and leaf blowing the road. Anyone willing to help should call a current Board member, or just take the initiative and go cut a section on your own.  (I plan on getting the double hairpins in a day or two, once I get my weedeater up and running - bob).

4. The Board has zero authority in enforcing the Apple Creek Road speed limit. We suggest that a phone call to the speeder is the appropriate action. Many may not be aware that speeders causing accidents or property damage can be held liable in a Civil Court. 15 MPH is the maximum safe speed for our road.

Here are the current board members and phone numbers, a good thing to copy and have on hand:

Keith Patton 456-8895

David Stiles 989-2708

Marilyn Herbert 456-6954

Jerry Tate 456-3367

THINGS ARE A-BRUIN' UP HERE IN ACA

Got an early AM report from the Rose household of a very large adult black bear that visited there last night close to midnight, tearing down their main porch bird feeder.  Subsequently, I discovered this morning a deck feeder of mine purely missing, with the heavy metal bracket greatly bent and down on the ground 12 feet below.  A short while ago, got a call from Doyle Love above me that a large bear has hit him twice in the past couple of days, last night just short of 3am, bending a large metal pipe/pole with feeders on it.

All that to say, hey, we know we have bears up here...and they're back.  So take whatever precautions you wish to minimize potential damage from their investigations.  This explains why I've slept so little the past couple of nights thanks to my youngest pup going bonkers in the middle of the night...

Lovin' this warmer weather...hope you are too. 

(Click pic below to enlarge)

Early May sunrise from the end of Staymon Road

Bob

GRADING TODAY ON SIDE ROADS

(Passing along this information from our HOA president Keith Patton)

Custom Paving has it's grader and roller out treating our side roads today.  While hard rains can certainly take their toll on these roads over time, there is no worse culprit than speeding and spinning wheels on gravel.  Road degradation greatly increases when people drive too fast and kick up gravel.  Let's each do our part to ensure the quality of our side roads remain as good as possible for as long as possible.
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Case in point for me and my goony-golf driveway....larger UPS trucks try to take the tight upper turn and feel their tires slipping...so they gun it and then get even less traction, truly burning rubber and standing still.  I learned long ago to go much slower, not faster, and voila the tires will grip, not squeal, and job accomplished.  Thanks to all those traveling our side roads for easing up on the accelerator.

Bob

SPRING!!!! AND "BEAUTIFICATION"...

Trillium

It was only 2-3 weeks ago we had a skiff of snow one night and a low of 19 degrees...so I know I speak for many that we are happy to see the greening of spring on the mountain.  And what a weekend it has been!

I spoke with Irene recently...as you may or may not know, she and Judy have done yeoman's work every year making our entrance lovely and welcoming. But you may not know not a penny from our lot assessments/dues goes towards the beautification of the entrance.  We no longer have a slush fund for that which heretofore would get funded at annual meetings by raffles and such, and Irene and Judy buy all the mulch, plants, etc. and donate their time for all of us to enjoy coming home.  I know I do.

If anyone would like to make a nominal donation to defray their costs, you can catch 'em at what many of us call "The Big House" or give 'em a jingle at 828-316-7000.  They have done a lot for us over the years, and when their house sells and they move away, they will be sorely missed.

The leaves keep coming out every day, and the wildflowers are out in full force.  My hummingbirds showed up shortly after Tax Day, and the corn feeder I put up to detour my boomers (red squirrels) away from my sunflower feeders has failed miserably...I don't think they know what corn is!  But the past few days I've enjoyed the brilliant displays of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.  It is surely gorgeous 'round these parts.

Bob

WEEKEND WEATHER CONCERNS

This winter will simply not go away.  Another few inches of snow are very possible Saturday night into Sunday morning, and if not in ACA then very close by like Cataloochee and the Balsams.  Should we get any accumulations, they should be gone in fairly short order as it will not stay bitterly cold Sunday, and climb to the 40s as sunshine returns, breezy as it will be.

All of that is immediately after what will be a round of severe weather for the Carolinas, with a distinct threat of damaging winds and some supercells and tornadoes.  The threat for the latter should be east of us in the Foothills and points east, but winds are forecast to be very gusty for ACA, making power outages a distinct possibility.  Winds will be picking up around noon-ish Saturday, but continue rather strong well into Sunday, gusting from 30-40 mph.

Bob

Apple Creek Road is very icy, but passable in low gear and 4WD.   At 8am Blue Kia Sorrento is right on the edge of the lower hairpin, so caution there.  Only reports I've gotten...my driveway was exceedingly icy before I salted it, and I had a low of 13 this morning.  Best I could tally, 6.1" of snow fell at the end of Staymon, with 4.2" still left in shaded areas. Roads collected a lot less and melted it nicely until temps crashed last evening. Sun will be out in force today and help with improving roads this morning.

Bob

INCOMING SNOW POTENTIAL OVERNIGHT

(NOTE: 4:45p updated info in blue below)

Once again another noisome bit of weather news for you, per snow potential on the mountain.  ACA is in a Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to midnight Tuesday night.  I've been watching the models for about 3 days and ACA has been generally in the 1/2"-2" range between the two models, but some recent runs want to bump to 3" very close by ACA, like the Cataloochee area and the Plott Balsams.  The going forecast is 1-3", but with the colder temps forecast for Tuesday, 2-3" seems more plausible.  The high will not reach 32 for most of us Tuesday, and down into the upper teens the following morning.

Timing:  While there is a chance of snow after midnight tonight through all of Tuesday, the more likely period of snow that could accumulate looks to arrive in the early AM hours Tuesday, 4a-9a...as day goes on, snow showers will still be around, with temps now forecast to be too cold for any rain to mix in.  All draws to a close well before Wednesday sunrise.

We at least start with a modestly warm ground temperature, but even slight accumulations make Apple Creek Road slippery. So a heads up for our own bit of March Madness before we start warming back up almost immediately after this event.

Bob

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

Our 'fruitcake' winter contiues...the gift that keeps on giving.  A vigorous cold front will blast through today, bringing strong gusty winds and crashing cold temperatures.  The snow advisory kicks off at 6pm and goes through 6am, with the wind advisory starting at noon today.  The official forecast is for 1-3", and for reasons below I'll concur.

Outside of the one map I posted for the last event that pegged Haywood's snow, both the NAM and GFS missed all of the other areas, some of which got over a foot of snow like Mt. Mitchell.  For this event, my models are saying 0-1", and my confidence is low for that, as much as I'd like for us to wake up to minimal travel issues tomorrow morning.  

One HUGE difference this time around will be the temperatures.  Wednesday's forecast in general for ACA will be a low of 13 degrees and a high of 30, with gusty winds still around.  That's a rather brutal change from yesterday's utopic weather.  Water dripping temps for me.

That said, for those that have to get off the mountain for work in the morning you know the drill when our roads are covered.  As the old saying goes, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.  Temps do start to rebound Friday, but Thursday will require a huge wardrobe change.  Roads are expected to be dangerous for a period.

Bob