Thursday, July 22, 2010

Tiptoe Through the Talus


On 2/23/07, George and I visited 3 waterfalls in the Savage Gulf area near Gruetli-Laager, TN. The weather that day was mild; however, we had had ice and snow a few days before. SO--we got to see alot of ice as we hiked.

We visited three waterfalls that day (Savage, Suter, and Middle Suter). We had been to Savage Falls before, but never to the other two. We were going to hike to another waterfall (Horsepound) ---but the ice was so bad around Suter Falls that we couldn't get across the ice --to get to the trail on the other side.

Above is a picture of us taken at Savage Falls. I will post more pictures from this beautiful waterfall at another time. Below are pictures from our hike to Suter and Middle Suter Falls.



This is Middle Suter Falls. You can see the ice around the area. We had to climb on rocks of all sizes on a narrow trail, in order to get to the falls.




We hiked under the overhang---and there was gorgeous Suter Falls in the distance.



George stands in the sweeping half-circle rock overhang. Ice was everywhere. Can you see that narrow trail behind him????? We found out what 'talus' is!!!! Do you know???? It's all of those loose rock fragments at the foot of a cliff. Have you ever tried to walk on them???? Yipes!



Can you see me???? I am under the clam-shaped overhang. Ice on the path kept us from continuing... However, George did get a little closer to Suter Falls to get more pictures, by climbing up on some of the ledges.



Here is beautiful Suter Falls... That is SOLID ICE under the falls. But--there were holes in the ice where the water entered.

We have talked about going back there sometime --when there is no ice, so that we can hike farther to see Horsepound Falls. But---since this hike was done in 2007, and now it's 2010, I wonder if we'll get back???? ha

+++++++++++++++++
Thanks for all of your comments about favorite lunches... I had another one yesterday--but didn't think to take a picture. It's just like the tomato sandwich--except it's a CUCUMBER sandwich. We had gotten some fresh cukes yesterday (which had come from Scott County, TN)---so I just had to have one for lunch...

I do need to tell you though that my favorite cucumbers are the little pickling ones. So those are the ones we bought. They are tastier and much more crisp than the big ones... SO---for two days in a row, I had a delicious lunch!!!! Think I'm on a roll!!

I was hoping, by seeing all of the ice in these pictures, that I would feel cooler... Didn't happen though... ha ha

Have a fabulous Thursday wherever you are, and stay COOL. The heavy rains which gave Knoxville about 3 inches yesterday went ALL around us... We got NONE... Sigh!

Hugs,

53 comments:

  1. Wow ~ so many snow and ice photos from bloggers lately ~ you all must really be feeling some heat!! :)

    While I am tired of the coolness and the rain. It's hard to believe July is almost over and here in Canada ~ at least in the Prairie provinces ~ it really hasn't felt like summer yet. Oh well...

    Have a Happy Thursday Betsy!
    xo Catherine

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  2. You guys sure get to some great places. Are you up this early or did you preset this post? I figured I'd be the only real early morning blogger.

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  3. Pretty pictures Betsy ~ I was hoping they would make me feel cool too! Waterfalls are pretty any season of the year, aren't they? Hope you have a nice day.

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  4. Hi Betsey!

    These are beautiful sights! It seems this was a real bonding experience for you too! It would stress me out, though, all that climbing on rocks and things! I'm glad you guys were careful, though.

    I wonder what your next adventure will be! I'm expecting some cute, furry animals! haha.

    -Ashley

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  5. Sorry, I misspelled your name, Betsy.

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  6. Thanks for the wintry pictures - going to be 97 here today. Ugh!

    Jane

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  7. This looks like a great area to hike, will have to look it up. I wonder if it is near where we went once in TN - Cumberland Plateau, near Beersheba Springs, we found the Stone Door.

    Thanks for the cooling pictures. I love the little cucumbers too, much more crisp, just wash and slice with the skins on!

    Have a great day!

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  8. The rain was all around us too yesterday :(

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  9. Looking at the terrain around Suter Falls I'm wondering if this wasn't the beginning of your knee trouble!!
    You're in the company of ice and you are wearing just short sleeves!!

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  10. You sound like a pair of mountain goats. The country looks rugged and wild, of coarse the waterfalls are lovely. It must have been "cool" to see the water making holes in the ice. Hope you can be as cool as a cucumber today.We were as warm as toast at the beach in winter.

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  11. Now that was refreshing. I feel cooler all ready.
    Give you credit standing under such an over hang. That would have given me the willies especially standing on the rocks that had all ready fallen. Yikes

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  12. Thanks for cooling us all off!

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  13. I love cucumber sandwiches. yum. i see you under the clam, very tiny you. like the first one of the two smiling hikers. and i did feel just a hair cooler reading about the ice

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  14. I always enjoy reading about your waterfall explorations. I hope you do get to go back someday to see the remainder of the trail and the falls.

    Isn't it frustrating when rain skirts around you? We had just a couple of heavy showers, but we really need some more to make up for this recent hot, dry spell. (I get really tired of watering, but the kids do enjoy running through the sprinkler.)

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  15. Now I loved that 'mater sammich you had - but the cukes? I'll take mine on a salad, thank you, ma'am! ☺ Delightful reading your blog this morning. We did get a good shower here yesterday which saved me from having to water my plants (tomatoes and grape-vines). I think this thing about ice and waterfalls right now is the delirium of dog-days!!! Ha. Have a great day.

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  16. Hey, do ya'll ever bring home any of those rocks for your gardens? I would be so tempted!!

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  17. It must be pretty hot around there to make you delve into your icy pictures. ha!
    The pics are beautiful and I enjoy them.
    We stay pretty cool out here and I enjoy that. MB

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  18. Good morning. Too bad, the ice didn't make me feel any cooler either:) I'm not a big cucumber fan but I do love pickles. Nothing better than bread and butter pickles with a sandwich. That's a good lunch:)
    Marnie

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  19. Oh, Betsy, what fabulous photos. They'd be great places to meander to ... so enjoy our 'trips' with you.

    Have a lovely day ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  20. What a beautiful area; those overhangs are amazing!!!

    I love cukes too.

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  21. I love the pictures. You find so many amazing places in Tennessee.

    Oh ans I think, Cucumber and Tomato sandwiches are very yummy too, just toast your bread or it will get to soggy.

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  22. "tiptoe through the talus"!!!!! I love it! I love cucumbers, but Mr. Dragon doesn't...so sad!!!

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  23. O.K. you are scaring me now!!! I'm going to start calling you Betsy Keneivel! You are such a daredevil! It is all so spectacular and beautiful, but wouldn't be worth the risk to my bones. Hey, do me a favor and hop on over to Picture Imperfect on my blog sidebar. She has a bluebird on it today, but it is all blue with no red breast, but doesn't look juvenille, either! I can't figure out what it is!! I told her I would ask you to drop by and take a look, as you are the resident bluebird expert. If you know what it is, either comment on my blog oe e-mail me. thanks!

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  24. Your photographs of the waterfalls are quite nice Betsy. I enjoy reading the blog here daily! By the way, I tried the Grainger Tomatoes, and yes, they are yummy! I think we are getting needed rain today! Have a great day!

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  25. OH my goodness, Betsy, be careful on those slick rocks! Great shots

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  26. Just what I needed to cool me off! Gorgeous falls and I'm impressed with what you and George had to maneuver to get these great photos! Andrew and I stopped at Niagara Falls on the way back from our son's wedding in September. It was my second visit and his first. I forget to snap a photo!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  27. Liked the play on words...talus...good one. Of course, your photos are grrrreat! We have falls around here too. Maybe you will visit farrr N.Idaho sometime.
    Smooches from pooches,
    BabyRD and Hootie
    (& hooman, Cassie!)

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  28. Betsy I like tomato sandwiches...I don't have a garden either but my brother does and he has given me fresh tomatoes...never have tried a cucumber sandwich...don't know that I will either...I like them in salads. Trish

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  29. I feel like I am on a vacation each time I visit your blog. A lovely area with great people enjoying it. Have you stopped the blog suggestions? I had to get someone to redo my header and background. I received a pop-up stating whatI was using would be eliminated this Friday.

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  30. Love those crispy cucs too! And freshly sliced garden ripe tomatoes are so good on bread. Seems we all wish for cool in summer and warm in winter. yet The summer has advantages like growing stuff in the garden.

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  31. I know the feeling....if any rain falls in our area it just circles around us....despite my rain dancing.....uh oh that may be why it is avoiding us! ha

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  32. It took me a minute to see you in that one picture. You were WAY DOWN there! Plans were made to go to a small village on Lake Ontario (NY) this weekend. We were going to spend the weekend with our friends. The four of us would have ridden by motorcycle from here to there. The weather forecast put a stop to our plans. The weatherman is calling for hot and humid weather for Friday and Saturday with excellent chances for rain and thunderstorms. I was so looking forward to going away this weekend. Oh well, there will be another time .. and we do need the rain ...

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  33. Lovely trip into the Talus! Oh, and your cuke sandwich for lunch sounds delish! And the young crisp cukes are the best, aren't they! Enjoy your week-end!

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  34. Yum! And wow!
    I'd love to go there.
    I did post a meal yesterday or so...scroll back a post. After you see my FIND ;)

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  35. It feels like 102 degrees in Ky today with the heat and humidity. It is so gross outside I can't stand it.
    I need to go back to Zona :) A dry 104 I can take.

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  36. I've hiked on many a talus slope, and I must say, it's not my favorite thing. With ice on the rocks, the walk must have been treacherous.
    The falls are lovely, though. I hope you can go back soon.

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  37. Walking on those rocks and with ice all around,sounds dangerous to me.I am sure you are always very careful.Stay cool,if possible,fall is on the way.
    Did I just say that?I am not ready for summer to end just yet.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  38. Waterfalls with ice - now that's a new perspective. I bet it was gorgeous though!
    I had cucumbers for dinner with red onions in vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. It's yummy!

    I'll be away for the next few days so you and George have a wonderful weekend!

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  39. Thanks for the refreshing cool photos,they reminded me there will be an end to this heat!! The rain went all around us yesterday again also.Blessings to you.
    Marilyn

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  40. Well, I'll be, we like the same sandwiches again. Your waterfalls cooled me off some, along with the fan. Always amazed at all the waterfalls you and George have visited. You go girl, when your leg is all healed, of course.
    BlessYourHeart

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  41. I LOVE cuke sandwiches, cukes cool from the fridge, on rye bread with Smart Balance mayo and black pepper. yum

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  42. Such magnificent pictures, Betsy! Looks like a lovely place to visit. I don't think I'd like climbing around on that ice and talus though. Looks slippery! Hope you have a nice weekend! :)

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  43. Sorry you didn't get any rain, Betsy. Hope it cools off some for you. Nice shots, love the big overhangs. Hope you're doing fine, Diane

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  44. Hi Betsy,
    Those pictures are amazing... I really love it!
    the waterfall with ice around...was really great, I never saw it in my country.
    I bet you've got a great time.
    You both are wonderful!!

    Thanks for the very interesting post!
    nensa

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  45. This looks like a great place to hike (except for the talus). It is nice to see a little ice and snow to cool things off. I know it must be hot over your way but so far we have had a mild summer, we have only hit the triple digits twice.

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  46. Nice memories. Those caves are huge!

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  47. Nice memories. Those caves are huge!

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  48. That talus looks like it would be treacherous to hike on...but what a beautiful area!

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  49. I am trying to catch up...great photos and now I know what talus are!

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  50. Thanks for the beautiful journey to the falls, Betsy. It appears that the footing can get rather treacherous and easy to slip and slide on.

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  51. Now I know what Talus is....I learn a lot from you :-) Great photos.

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  52. Wet talus can be especially treacherous. It's also called "scree" and when in a fine form gives way in mini-landslides as you descend--we say "ski the scree."

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