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, March 19, 2010

Desoto State Park, Fort Payne, AL


On February 14, 2010, George took me on a surprise Valentine's trip to the Little River Canyon and Desoto State Park in Alabama. Desoto State Park is the place to go IF you like waterfalls. Besides all of the waterfalls in the Little River Canyon area, there are SIX waterfalls in or around the State Park. We have seen them all --but this trip, we only saw four of them. The other two (Laurel Falls and Lost Falls) were seen on previous trips to the state park.

Today I will share with you the other four waterfalls in and around Desoto State Park --which we saw on Feb. 14 or 15. Above is the main falls, DESOTO FALLS --which we have featured on several blog posts. In order to see more pictures of this gorgeous waterfall, you can check my sidebar and look under the label ALABAMA. Below are more from our Valentine's trip.




I liked this picture of the top of DESOTO FALLS--showing the snow and icicles.




This is LODGE FALLS, which is not far from the lodge where we spent the night on Valentine's night.




This is INDIAN FALLS. There is a bridge which crosses the brink of this waterfall.




We climbed down the side---toward the bottom of INDIAN FALLS --in order to get more pictures. This is a pretty waterfall, isn't it? You can see some of the bridge above.




We woke up on February 15 to some snow on the ground at Desoto State Park. We took a short hike down the boardwalk to see the AZALEA CASCADES, before heading home to find TONS of snow that day.




This was a pretty area of the park---with beautiful rock formations around...





This little waterfall (AZALEA CASCADES) is not as large as the others, but the area around the cascade is serene and relaxing. There are places where you can sit and just enjoy hearing the sound of the water.

Several of you have asked about Desoto State Park, and we highly recommend it. This 3,502-acre park provides mountain chalets, log and rustic cabins, motel rooms, meeting rooms, and also has both improved and primitive campgrounds. They also have a picnic area with playground, olympic-sized swimming pool, a nature center, and over 19 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Hugs,

41 comments:

Kirigalpoththa said...

This park is full of waterfalls! The Desoto falls is a treat to watch!!

Randy said...

Well you certainly have inspired me to visit Desoto! Those are lovely pictures, Betsy, I'm glad you guys had a good time.-- Randy

Arkansas Patti said...

Loved that first picture. Looks like it would be a lovely place to swim, when warmer of course.
You all should get a cut rate for the great reviews you do.

Catherine said...

Those are some great pictures Betsy! So many beautiful waterfalls.

It's snowing here this morning ~ GAAAAK!!!! Just as we were at the point of no snow left...sigh...

Hope you have a terrific weekend!

xxoo Catherine

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I enjoy my walks with you.The scenery is so beautiful and I don't even get tired.OK,it would be better to be there in person,but for now this will have to do.Thanks for the gorgeous scene.Have a day filled with blessings.
Hugs,Ruth

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so beautiful. Cold, but beautiful!!!!

Susie said...

Beautiful as usual Betsy! I think I would love exploring that place.

Anonymous said...

The waterfall pictures are great, as are the pictures of you and George.

Harriet said...

Great pictures!!

Dorothy said...

Beautiful pictures of the falls!! I think you and George are having waaaaay too much fun;-)

Janice K said...

Those pictures are outstanding. You must have slowed down your shutter speed to get the waterfalls to look so neat. I can tell you are having a lot of fun with your new cameras...There is just so much to learn about photography and I can see the difference in so many of your pictures.

Have a wonderful day!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Fun photos of the falls in the cold weather.

Dar said...

Thank You Betsy and George, for taking me on walks of our country that I, otherwise, would never see. It's like being there with you. The falls are so wonderful...true gifts of God.
BlessYourWeekend...where are you off to this time?

MadSnapper said...

I am back bloggin after taking yesterday off to FINISH the project. yippeee. I love the color of the water in the firs photo. these are spectacular falls, all of these. I wonder how many water falls you have seen.

Beth said...

Desoto State Park is such a lovely and special place. Your shots are all beautiful, Betsy, but I adore the first one with the white foamy falls contrasted with the green of the water. I am definitely putting this place on our list of places to visit someday---thank you!

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful pictures of the falls, Betsy. I like the big one where the water just goes shooting out into the pool below----and then again---I like the smaller ones that trickle down the land. I guess I like them ALL. MB

I Am Woody said...

I LOVE that first photo. The color of the water is stunning!!

Thistlebrooms said...

Just Stunning Betsy...
Beautiful Indian Falls and love the walkways...
Happy Spring (finally)

My Best~Marilyn

Glenda said...

I think these are some of my favorite falls pics. So beautiful! You are giving me some ideas about future trips . . . and that's a good thing!!

Rose said...

I think I like the first one best, but it is a hard choice. These are wonderful.

imac said...

Will have to call you the FALL Guys.
Brill shots and a super place to see.

Becca's Dirt said...

Sad to say I have driven past Desoto Falls but have never been there. That is such a beautiful color to the pool of water below.

Thanks for the tour Betsy.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I remember this park from when I lived nearby. I don't think we ever visited it when there were ice cycles hanging from the rocks:)

FWIW, Ft Payne is also the home town of the country singing group Alabama.
Marnie

Cheryl said...

The photos are awesome! You must so enjoy the new cameras, such fun! I have never been in your part of the country, but sure would love to visit one day.

Diane said...

Beautiful trip to the falls and beautiful pictures, Betsy. Have a great day. Diane

The Retired One said...

I can see why it is a state park...so many waterfalls in one spot...a place I would love to visit too!

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are just wonderful pictures. Again, I am struck by the blueness of the water! I love the flatter, gentle one!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
I love your header photo of the crocus. Desoto State Park is a fantastic place with all the magnificent waterfalls. Sounds like you had a wonderful time and just the perfect time to visit on Valentine's Day. I enjoyed these splendid photos very much.

Diane AZ said...

Great pictures of the falls at Desoto State Park. It looks pretty cold with the snow and icicles around. Azalea Cascades is my favorite. :)

Kay said...

Now that is one spectacular waterfall. I love the blue of the water.

Kay

SmilingSally said...

This is a pretty one, Betsy.

Unknown said...

I love the icicles. The falls are beautiful

When are you going to publish a calendar, or even a book?

More people need to see your lovely photos. They are such a blessing.

Karin said...

Thanks for such a beautiful walk in an incredible area! What a blessing that you can still do all of this and enjoy it so much1 Have a fabulous week-end!

Lola said...

Beautiful area & falls. I didn't know Ala had such beauty. It sure would be nice to visit.
My mail to you came back. Did you change your add.?

Carletta said...

That first shot is stunning and should be on a pamphlet for the park. :)
I really need practice with my camera settings to capture the water like you have here - beautiful!

carolina nana said...

Beautiful falls,I think Lodge falls is my favorite of this group.Looks like you could walk behind the water. Have a blessed evening. Marilyn

SquirrelQueen said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous! These are some of the most beautiful falls anywhere IMHO! I haven't been there in years but I would still recommend it highly to anyone.

We are headed out tomorrow for a road/photo trip. Have a fantastic weekend.
Judy

diane b said...

Sounds a fabulous place to visit. I love the blurry effect of the water falling. The falls are just great. You must have been in heaven but i don't know how you could stand the cold. You must be well acclimatised or just plain tough.

June said...

What a gorgeous woodsy place!
And, I might say, you did a great job photographing the falling water! When I was enjoying my short stint in photography class (before I found out my camera wasn't sophisticated enough to do what the instructor wanted us to do) that "flowing" look was something I was trying for. Gorgeous!

penny said...

The turquoise color of the water at the first waterfall is lovely. I know it must have been cold but the dusting of light snow makes for a beautiful series of photos.
Thank you for sharing your marvelous journey, Betsy.

dot said...

Betsy, great pictures! I love that place. Did you happen to see the church that is built with the big rock inside?