Rocky Mount, North Carolina is the place where the Coastal Plane meets the Piedmont. This location is called the Fall Line. It is defined by the place on the Tar River where you can no longer paddle upstream. As you can see, the Rocks emerging from the river make it impossible. The Fall Line stretches across several of the Eastern States running right through Rocky Mount. It is often marked with water falls flowing from upper level of the Piedmont to the lower level of the sandy Coastal Plane. At this point, cargo and boats had to be portaged across the falls, in order to continue the journey.

Towns grew up along the Fall Line because of the power that was gained from the river; and because this became the stopping off place for early explorers, as they traveled to the interior of the country. If you look across the river you can see Rocky Mount Mills. It was a cotton mill for many years, powered by the Tar River dam. It had its own electric generator that provided power to the machines. It is now being renovated into office space and restaurants.

Life’s flow starts smoothly

Only to find rocks waiting

Midlife marks Fall Line

Can we get past life’s challenge

Some can’t get beyond the rocks

Others rise above

Finding smoother sailing there

Whitewater ahead

Life’s wild ride

Photos: Dwigth L. Roth