Kay Wade
Overlooking beauty
One car after another stops at Wigington Overlook and releases passengers into the hot summer sun. One group of visitors pauses just long enough to chat with the next arrivals, often asking the name of the beautiful lake sparkling in the distance. Blue lake nestled into blue mountains is certainly riveting, but absolutely no one notices the beauty just across the highway: masses of mountain mint, silver against a craggy face of equally silver rock, interspersed with massive flowering panicles of devils walkingstick, and a single, shining sumac, who’s long, pinnately compound leaves should be the focal point of a million-dollar garden. Of course Lake Jocassee gets the attention… that’s why an overlook is in this particular spot, after all. Focus on the beauty of the view, but don’t overlook the special beauty all around you! ~K