My youngest son has lost alot of weight --and I'm so proud of him. He and his children have been doing some hiking now that he is getting healthy again. I was telling him some of the hikes that George and I have taken in the Smokies.
One hike which we loved was to GROTTO FALLS. Grotto is more like a waterfall for the 'locals' rather than the tourists. For some reason, this one is not listed in the 'waterfalls to visit' while in the Smokies (like Rainbow, Laurel, Abrams, etc.). BUT--this is a really nice hike and waterfall.
The Grotto Fall hike is located off of the Roaring Fork Motor Trail (above Gatlinburg). Undoubtedly named for the recess behind the descent, this waterfall hurtles 25 feet over a sandstone escarpment along Roaring Fork. A short side path allows access to the 'grotto'. This is an enjoyable 1.2 mile hike (one way) to this waterfall. George and I loved this hike and recommend it, not just to Jeff, but to anyone visiting the Smokies.
Here are some pictures from the 2007 hike which we took to Grotto Falls. Above is a picture of the waterfall. For anyone who thinks that a good camera doesn't make a difference ---WELL---it surely does. These pictures are okay, but nothing like they would look if we had have taken them with our new cameras. But--you'll get the idea. Below are more photos from Grotto Falls!
I always enjoy sitting on the rocks near a waterfall. This day was no exception. It makes me YEARN for good health again, so that I can hike soon.
George gets up close and personal with the waterfall.
Look who is standing BEHIND the waterfall!!!! That water felt pretty good on a warm, spring day in 2007.
Now George is hiking around on the rocks (He hikes; I sit--ha) getting more and more pictures.
Here's one last picture of GROTTO FALLS... I've said this before, but we enjoy hiking where there aren't many other people. This hike was perfect!!!! We recommend it ---and if I can get healthy, maybe we can go back there sometime!!!!
Thanks for all of the kind words about my knee surgery. I am feeling MUCH better today, so maybe I've turned the corner!!!! I certainly hope so!
Hugs,
44 comments:
A beautiful place indeed!
Hopefully soon you will be up and hiking again soon.
Congratulate your son - such a very hard thing to do!
Hooray! Glad that you are feeling better! Hope you can resume your hikes soon!
Jane
Such beauty!!!! I'm sure you will be able to hike there again...it's all about the attitude ya know!!!
I'm glad you're feeling better! I hope you'll be back to hiking in no time!
No wet blouse pictures? And all that water.
I bet George would have taken at least one.
That's a perfect way to cool off on this hot and humid morning. Looking at your photos and pretending I am sitting right there! Hope you are having a comfortable day today.
Each fall you show looks lovely and this one is no exception.I so hope that you will be able to do these hikes again.I just have a sore big toe and find walking quite painful right now,and that's discouraging.
Blessings,Ruth
I'm sure with God's help and your determination you'll be back to hiking again soon.
Seeing these pics makes me want to go hiking again.
Congrats to your son for sticking with the plan. It is so hard to loose weight. I need to walk more myself.
Grotto Falls is very cooling...and
SOOO glad your knee is feeling better. Take it slow tho and don't do any falls, or waterfalls, just yet.
BlessYourHearts
Praise God that you're feeling better, Betsy; And well done to your son for a new and healthier life. Wow, what beautiful falls photos. I love the one of you behind the waterfall. It looks really COOL. Bless you my friend. I continue to pray for your improved health and well being. (((Hugs))) Jo
I thought you might become a frustrated hiker with that bad knee. Be patient, you will be hiking again soon. The waterfall is magic and you were certainly having a good time then. Hope you keep improving.
I hope you are able to hike once again. My stepdaughter has lost weight too. I am so proud of her.
Morning, Betsy. Good to hear you are feeling better.
Congratulations to your son. I hope he finds he enjoys hiking and can keep it up. Wonderful family activity.
Marnie
Good for your son for losing weight and getting healthy! How wonderful!
And how wonderful that you are feeling better Betsy! Such good news. Keep it up!
Lovely photos as always,
xo Catherine
Congrats to your son, it's not easy losing weight. Glad you are feeling better Betsy. With temps close to 100 I'd love to be near one of those falls.
As usual the waterfall pictures are beautiful and one can see the joy in your faces.
You will be out and about soon I imagine.
So happy for your son. A hard thing to do. It will be so exciting for him to do the things he wants to do---hiking, etc. MB
Really nice place. love the photo taken through the water while you are behind the falls.
I'm sure you'll be back to hiking in no time at all!!!
How is the knee now? Is it less painful?
Major congrats to your son, what a hard thing to do. I need to lose weight badly but I like food and I don't walk enough because of various pains!! :)
Hope your knee is healing...Keep me updated. Love, Judith
Beautiful waterfalls as usual. Looks like your weather has warmed up.
I love the one of you IN the waterfall. all of them are good, but that is special. beauty is all around us. Hope your knee gets better soon. I am late today, i went off to the state park, Emerson Point in Palmetto Fl. of course there will be photos of some of it
Congratulations to your son. Nice waterfall shots, Betsy, it won't be long before you're at it again. Diane
I am glad to hear you have turned the 'right corner', Betsy. We need you back on your beautiful journeys so we all can virtually go with you.
Grotto Falls is beautiful and I love the shot of you standing behind it.
Now that your tears are fixed, you will get completly back to normal!! That meniscus surgery is a great fix. If the arthritis didn't bother you before your tear, it shouldn't now, either. I love the picture of you standing behind the fall with the water coming down in front of you!! I'm so glad you're feeling better, I was getting worried.
Great photos Betsy, I didn't remember this falls until I got to the next to last pic of George hiking around on the rocks. I have been to this one.
Glad to hear the surgery was successful and you are feeling better. Hopefully you will be hiking again soon.
Sorry I haven't been over sooner, Blogger has been doing its thing and making it hard for me to comment on some blogs.
Hey Betsy,
How is it going? I missed you! I like your picture behind the waterfall...!
Maybe one day I'll hike those Grotto falls w/ you! :-) HOpe your knee continues to mend and that you are feeling 100% soon!
Hugs,
SHelley
Beautiful photos once more, Betsy.
And I sooooooo happy you are starting to feel better again.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Congratulations to your son on the weight loss! That certainly takes determination and stick-to-itiveness! - So glad to hear your knee is on the mend and you'll be going to these lovely falls soon - I'm sure of it! Good health to you!
Waterfalls are generally very beautiful and this one is no exception. Nicely done today as usual!
We were near here (in Gatlinberg) twice, and never saw this fall. It is gorgeous...and you looked so happy there...in your element! You and Geaorge are just so amazing hiking all these falls. What a wonderful life! I pray your knee recovers fully and you are back out there ASAP!!!
God bless you!
Julie
I am glad you are feeling better...pretty soon you will be out visiting more waterfalls. Take care of yourself till then....
Hugs,
Rose
All your waterfall pics are so fantastic! I hope your bum knee is doing better and you'll be out there hiking with George and your family soon.
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, Betsy! The falls are beautiful. I would love just sitting and listening to them too.
May I add my CONGRATS to your son. With that hiking it will continue to come off.
I'm so glad you are feeling better. It won't be long till we'll see a post with a new "fall" that you & George have hiked to.
I too love sitting near a waterfall and just watching and listening.
I hope you will be able to get back to your hiking very soon!
Jeanne
I'm happy to hear you are feeling a little better, Betsy! With time you will be hiking again, I'm sure.
Grotto Falls is so pretty ..I could almost hear the sound the water makes by looking at your photos. It must feel so cool to stand behind the cascade.
It's good news that your son lost weight and is living more healthy! It is soemthing we all have to try to do.
♥ Pat
Now I'm really wanting to visit TN again! We've seen the sign to Grotto but have never been there! We'll be sure to go - if we ever get back to your beautiful state! I like the pic of you behind the falls, too, but they are all great.
Glad you've felt better today!
You captured the beauty of the falls so well.
This is a magical place Betsy, makes me want to stand behind that waterfall right along with you. Happy to hear you are feeling better.
I guess you will just have to revisit every one of your falls and take new photos with the new cameras :-) LOL
Beautiful photos. The shot behind the waterfall reminds me of Last of the Mohicans.
Hope you're hiking again soon.
Betsy: Very cool falls and neat you can go behind it.
Love waterfalls in the Smokies! Been to Grotto falls a long time ago, a great hike. Thanks for the reminder of this beautiful place, must visit again. Have a great day!
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