I'd Rather Be On Wilson's Creek



What Duck?  It  was here a minute ago!

That's what the famous bumper sticker says, right?  For those who've grown up and lived in and around Caldwell County, NC, you know what I'm talking about.  Raise your hands and let me hear you give a shout out. ("Hey, over here, I got my hand up," says one.  "Why hell, yeah," chimes another. "Got that right, count me in, too," exclaims yet another.) 

For years I've seen the bumper sticker plastered on the back of old pick up trucks, station wagons, and SUVs.  I don't know who originated it in the first place but it was a great idea.  Every time I get behind someone who has an "I'd Rather Be On Wilson's Creek" bumper sticker displayed I have to sigh and think to myself, "Yep, I'd rather be there, too.  Instead I'm stuck in workday traffic. Man, I bet that water is cold today.  Heck, it's cold every day!"

The Wilson's Creek area, located in the northwestern section of Caldwell County in the Grandfather district of Pisgah National Forest, was once used by the Cherokee Indians as a summer hunting grounds.  It's not uncommon to see a wild turkey or two crossing the road there as well as deer and other glorious woodland critters.  It's a beautiful retreat on a hot  day. But, beware, it's highly prone to flooding when the storms of summer come up suddenly. And, while it doesn't appear to be so in these photos, the creek can turn deadly during the rainy season. 

The family dog, Levi, is a two-year-old Labrador currently in duck retrieval training with his master. On a recent hot Sunday morning we took to the creek well . . . like a duck takes to the water.  At this spot the water was deep on the far side and shallow along the sandy beach on the other.  It was an excellent place for Levi to get his ya-yas out and for us to enjoy a cold, refreshing dip as well. 

On a day like this one it's not hard to see why the locals proclaim they would, indeed, rather be on Wilson's Creek!


Levi in duck retreival mode with Master Dave