Category Archives: Middletown

When I first visited Arch Rock several days before this, I started up to the top of Dead Center Hill, but decided to turn around. This day I made it to the top. And what surprises I was to find there!

First up was a chair sitting on the northern edge of what turned out to be a surprising flat top of the hill. Immediately I thought: who put this chair up here, and why? An answer to the second question was given when I reached the chair and stared down at the wonderful view of Wilson River below, perhaps 150 feet down from here. The view would be even more spectacular in the winter when the leaves had completely falling off the trees. That seemed to be the answer, then: this was a chair to sit on and enjoy the great river vista.

The chair appears to have been here for a long while.

Rocks on the hilltop.

And another chair nearby, this one without any cushions or back, as if they had been purposely removed. Why, if so?

There were many interesting seeming rocks on the top. I’ll definitely go back soon and record them in greater detail.

And then yet another chair appeared in front of me as I continued down the flat top, heading south by southwest. I approximate this would be about the center of the hill. Dead center, I suppose.

At first, I thought that bit of projecting foam on the seat could be another toy avatar (!). Why is this chair in better shape than the other 2 already encountered?

A cool pine tree… and then, behind it, yet another chair. A chair hanging in a tree.

Nearby rocks.

We’re not finished yet!

Yes, this is certainly a more interesting place to create graffiti art than scenic river rocks. It’s from under a bridge crossing the Wilson River near Woodrow Wilson College.

Interesting rainbow effect here.

Then it’s back to Dead Center Hill and the welcoming Arch Rock. Here’s a picture of a mica studded stone just below it.

Arch Rock. Again that hole is about 6 inches in circumference. But it’s so so important.

“Owl eyes” just beside the arch. They know, they know!

Through the arch. I see a face sticking out its tongue (!) A selfie?

Through the arch II. Many mud dauber nests adorn the side of Arch Rock.

Arch Rock — arch is the small cavity in the center.

Moving to the southern edge of Arch Rock, with arch just around the bend now.

Below is yet another interesting location along the Wilson River, but further east than the others we’ve examined so far.

Unfortunately, the rocks here have been vandalized — only way to put it. Here’s a link again to that  interesting King of the Toys article, where he describes the difference between guerilla style graffitiists  (for example, Bansky) and the more hands off, environmentally friendly art he creates. Useful contrast for sure. Certainly the rock graffiti here is unfortunate, even tragic in a manner. Graffiti art applied to other, less organic surfaces seems more legitimate and justified in my eyes.

Early morning sun streaming through the trees. I got up *real* early to take my trip to Ashville this day. I traveled in darkness most of the way down. Roads were more crowded than I supposed they would be at that time.

Popular watering hole just a bit east of the above pictured rocks. This is where the waters of Bill Creek join the Wilson River. Bill Wilson Swimming Hole might be an apt name for the feature. And then some people would wonder who this mysterious Bill Wilson is, and why the place was named after him.

More early sun pictures, merging light and river mist. Funtastic.

Another rock and a bit more graffiti art. Not as intrusive this time, but still unfortunate.

This is a more appropriate spot for such art, however. I approve!

A small tributary of the Wilson River not far from Dead Center Hill, but entering the stream from the north. Not the best shot, but I wanted to include it here as a model for future photos from the same angle. We have several bridges crossing the creek here, and there is also a small cascade just out of sight. I’ll get a name for this creek as well sometime. Not a pressing matter just yet, it doesn’t seem.

Badlands (lower center) is another interesting spot on WW property. It is said that Warren went there on school breaks to smoke kane, which is fabrication most likely.

Dead Center Hill (also see upper right corner of above photo): This is where it all went down. Warren also knew of  the place; no lie this time. Warren again separated from Wilson and climbed this hill just to the south of the river, leaving a piece of kane (Old Kane) as a marker. It was no longer Greene. It was closer to Jersey. Kane = 10 (10th tile of Billville). Jersey may equal the forgotten 9th. He began the climb at Arch Rock. He climbed from 9 to 10 (10 to 9?).