Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, January 15, 2010

Burgess Falls in Winter (Part I)


On February 2, 2007, George and I drove to Cookeville, TN (about 35 miles northwest of here) on a cold, snowy morning to check out one of our favorite nearby waterfalls, Burgess Falls. Burgess Falls is named after Tom Burgess, a Revolutionary War veteran who settled along this section of the Falling Water River in the 1790's. Due in large part to calls from Cookevillians to protect this area, Burgess Falls State Park was established in 1971.

A 1.5 mile loop trail follows the bluffs along the south bank of the gorge, starting at the Falling Water Cascades and after passing two smaller waterfalls (Little Falls and Middle Falls), it ends at a platform overlooking Burgess Falls. Burgess Falls falls 136 feet. A stairway leads down to the overhang of Burgess Falls --and then continues down into the gorge.

On this particular trip, the temperature was 28 degrees and we had had some snow. It was a perfect time to visit the falls. I thought you might enjoy seeing our pictures from that little hike. Above is a picture of one of the four waterfalls at Burgess. This one is Middle Falls. Below are more.




This is Falling Water Cascades --found at the beginning of our hike. The snow was so pretty that day--as it clung to the trees.





The gal who loves snow was so happy to be here that morning.





Another view of the Falling Water Cascades





Even George, who doesn't like snow much, was enjoying hiking along this trail.




The second waterfall along our path is named Little Falls.





There were icicles all along the bluffs near the trail...





I am standing at the overlook at Middle Falls.





I get that man on his knees as much as I can!!!!!! ha ha.... I wanted to get him in the picture along with Middle Falls, and this was the only way to do it.... Isn't George a good sport????

You won't want to miss tomorrow's post (Part II). Seeing the beautiful and huge waterfall (Burgess Falls) and its surrounding icicles is GORGEOUS... So ---be sure and come back tomorrow for more!!!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Lordy-Lordy----Look who's FORTY!!!!" (Middle son Mark was born on 1/15/70); Happy Birthday, Sweetie Pie... I love you dearly!

Hugs,

52 comments:

Jo said...

Oh I just love George! Sorry Betsy, I think you're sharing him (only on cyberspace, no worries! LOL!) with every other lady blogger. I love your waterfall and can't wait for tomorrow. Happy Birthday to Mark.

Jayne said...

Happy Birthday to Mark!
Burgess Falls area is so pretty. I have not been there in years and years. I'll bet Cookeville continues to grow and grow. When I was in school there, we had a McDonalds and a Burger King and that was it!

Darla said...

Yep, keep that man on his knees as much as you can Betsy! Beautiful falls. Happy Birthday to Mark, he sure doesn't look 40, hahaha. I just want to scoop that bird up in my hand and pet it, great header.

pam said...

Great pics! And Happy Birthday t your son!

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Your pics got me in the mood for the Skyway! Monday, J has no school and we heading there :)

Happy Birthday to your son!! You must have bee mere babe yourself, Betsy!

xo, misha

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Happy Birthday 40 year old Mark! Would sing to your son, but he might not like it LOL...Betsy..miss you. I'm glad to see you are still enjoying the snow. I haven't seen any here, although they called for it :( love you.

MadSnapper said...

I could hardly concentrate on the rest of the post after you said 28 degrees was great for walking on the trail. YIKES! we had 28 the past 2 weeks and I huddled in the house like I would if i were in alaska. And POOR King George, forced by his lady to kneel in SNOW. true love

Dorothy said...

Beautiful falls and snowy scenes! Happy Birthday Mark!

Tabor said...

You are like my hubby who loves to walk in the cold! Brrrrr.

EG CameraGirl said...

It DOES lok cold! But I'm sure it was worth it to get more lovely photos of waterfalls.

storyteller said...

Thanks for taking us on your wintry waterfall walk (virtually speaking). Your beautiful photos seem like 'sepia' treatments until you and George show up so colorfully! Great shots. Love the baby picture of Mark and happy 40th birthday to him ;-)
I've shared more views from Tuesday with my sister at Small Reflections
Hugs and blessings,

RoeH said...

What beautiful falls. Especially with the snow around them and in the trees. Nature! It rocks!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What a nice trip, stay warm and enjoy the wonder of nature.

Loran said...

I just love the fact that you are happy wherever you go!

Connie said...

Great shots of the falls, Betsy. Must have been pretty cold the way you and George are all bundled up. Very cute photo of your son. Happy birthday to him!

Anonymous said...

i love that you delight in nature. i do too.

amelia said...

This has to be one of the prettiest falls. It certainly looks it in the picture anyway.
Hiking is great in that weather and temp, you never or rarely get too hot and sweaty!!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Happy birthday, Mark!!!

I just love the look of those evergreen trees in the photo backgrounds.
Marnie

Cedar ... said...

Happy Birthday Mark!

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday Mark. You are in the good years now.

You all have the best places to hike and so glad to see you taking advantage of the snow.
Thanks for taking us along. See ya tomorrow.

imac said...

Great show Betsy, did you both have your snow shoes on at the falls.

I'm sure Mark will love to see himself on your blog,haha.

Diane said...

Happy Birthday Mark! You're a hardy soul, Betsy, that trail behind you in one of the shots looks kind of steep and treacherous with snow on it. Pretty waterfalls, too.

Karin said...

I love taking these virtual walks from my armchair, lol! So fascinating to see the icicles of the falls in such cold weather! You two amaze me and I just love how your joy and energy radiates right through your blog!
Hugs! Have a wonderful week-end!

Joe Todd said...

Great pics. Doing the 6 mile winter hike in the Hocking Hills tomorrow pretty big event 100's of people show up for it. I'll be worn out for awhile. LOL

Together We Save said...

Wonderful pictures!! I am from souther middle Tennessee so it was fun to see a view from this time of year.

Sunny said...

I wish I could love the snow as much as you do! The falls are beautiful; I expect the water is icy cold.
It's always a delight to see your trips.
Happy Birthday to Mark!
Sunny :)

Mary said...

Sure looks cold, but very beautiful!

Cookie said...

40?? He doesn't look a day over 2! ;)

28 degrees?! Are you crazy!? you look so cute all bundled up, but I probably would have stayed in the car!

Regina said...

Happy Birthday to your son!
Beautiful falls,
Great photos Betsy.

Enjoy the weekend.

Neal said...

Very, very nice Betsy! It is fun to go hiking in the snow.

Cicero Sings said...

You can come here and hike in the snow! ... when we get some more that is. But I warn you, it is tough sloggin' when the snow is deep.

Happy Birthday to your son Mark. A cutie of a baby was he.

Small City Scenes said...

Those waterfalls are so gorgeous and so many in one area. WOW!!! You look SOOO happy. I am so glad. And yes George is a good sport and he loves the falls too.

Happy Birthday to your wonderful son.
My eldest will be 43 on the 21st. I cannot believe she got that old. and yet age is relative ain't it. MB

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos.

No, you didn't tell me about the Pileated Woodpecker being afraid of the starlings.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Mark! B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l photos! You look radiant and lóvely in snow!! (- and your George is a really good photographer!)

Beth said...

Happy Birthday to Mark! What a cute little one he was!

Beautiful photos of the falls, Betsy. And I love the ones of you and George----you look wonderful in your winter garb. You two are hardy souls hiking in such cold weather.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Happy birthday to Mark!!!! I hope he is celebrating it big this year.
This looks like a lovely trip, and YES, George is a good sport. :)

SmilingSally said...

Sorry, Betsy, but it just looks COLD to me!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Some of the first pictures do look black and white or sepia until you notice the little bits of green grass poking out! I was scrolling along anxiously awaiting the BIG fall, now I have to wait till tomorrow!!! That will be something nice to look forward to. Lovely pictures. The picture of your son looks just like one I have of mine at that age!! Even down to the background! It must have been that era. If you would like to see a picture of me and hubby on our wedding day, and now, and my son as a baby and now, check out my post from last month called "A Wedding And A Son" I must admit we have never heard of Big Stone Gap. It is on the other side of Roanoke from us, maybe two hours away. We have been married 40 years, and that is how long we have lived here in the Shennandoah Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love it more every day. We have a son and a three year old granddaughter. She is the same age as Beverly's Ella, so we have two beautiful little girls in our lives. Do any of your grandchildren live nearby? Do you babysit them any?

Big Dude said...

I just found your blog via Smoky Mountain Cafe. I really enjoy scenic pics and yours are great.

Chris said...

Another set of wonderful pictures Betsy, thank you for sharing them, It looks so cold but beautiful there and you and George look so happy. Did you have to help George bac up onto his feet, or are his knees still in good shape.

Janie said...

You and George look well dressed for hiking in the snow. Beautiful falls!
What a cute baby photo of your son. Happy birthday to him!

SquirrelQueen said...

The falls are beautiful Betsy but it does look cold. Glad to see you are dressed to stay warm.
Happy Birthday to Mark!
Judy

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Wow,the scenery is gorgeous.Just the right amount of snow to make it perfect.
Blessings,Ruth

Wendy said...

What delightful pics of the waterfalls!! And some happy looking people too!

Congrats on your son's 40th. It doesn't seem possible, does it? 40 already!!!

Cheryl said...

Oh Betsy, I certainly can see the joy in your face as you enjoy the snow! What lovely falls and with the light coating of snow on the trees it is beautiful!

Cassie said...

Cool (literally!) pics Betsy! ANd Happy Birthday to your son. Mine turns 40 in 2011---hard to believe we're getting so old.hehe. I'm going to us my dogs blog to post this comment and then sign them up as followers, that way thay will be your 200th followers!!
XX-Cassie

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Betsy, I've often wondered why your beautiful waterfall photos are so calming...I just realized...the represent tranquility...something that is so difficult to find these days!!! Thanks for giving me some tranquility in this hectic world!!!

Simply Debbie said...

GOOD EVENING BETSY AND (GEORGE ALSO),
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARK...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARK...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MARK,HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARK
HE WAS QUITE HANDSOME AS A LITTLE TYKE.
OH BESTY, YOU JUST LOOK RADIANT IN THE SNOW...THE WHITE HAT BRINGS OUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES AND GEORGE LOOKS LIKE HE IS PROPOSING TO YOU ALL OVER AGAIN...I WOULD FRAME THAT PICTURE AND KEEP IT CLOSE.
WHAT CAN I SAY BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THESE BEAUTIFUL WATERFALLS WEARING THEIR WINTER COATS....SERENE AND SO PEACEFUL...
YOU ARE JUST PRETTY SPECIAL...CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE BIG FALLS...YOU TEASER
A GRACIE ANN PECK AND A HUG AROUND THE NECK.
LOVE
SIMPLY DEBBIE
I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR PROFILE AND YOU HAVE HAD OVER 10,000 PEOPLE READ YOUR PROFILE...THAT IS AWESOME FOR A HUMBLE LADY.

diane b said...

I would just love to do that walk but maybe not in 28F/-5C degrees.Happy Birthdayto your son.

Rose said...

Oh, my this is a beautiful place! I would love to see it in all the seasons.

Unknown said...

That picture's not THAT bad!! Hahaha... it could have been worse! Thanks Mom! I Love You! -Mark

The Retired One said...

Very pretty!
I was hoping to snowshoe into some falls near us to get some frozen falls photos, but I fractured my right foot (on my treadmill, of all things...didn't even feel it until hours later) so I am wearing a soft removable cast for a few weeks. Sigh. Those falls will just have to wait a few weeks for me to get there.