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...

Monday, April 17, 2017

Caesars Head State Park,SC and Raven Cliff Falls 3/22/17

View from Caesars Head State Park, SC  
This is part of Day 2 of our little trip to North and South Carolina in March... IF you missed Day 1,  click HERE to see that post..   On Day 2,  we left our beautiful inn in Cashiers (Laurelwood Inn) and headed to Caesars Head State Park  (over the border into South Carolina) not too far from Brevard, NC.   We enjoyed the views from Caesars Head and the hike down to see the 'head'.  At 3,266 feet above sea level along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, Caesars Head provides a panoramic view of the mountain country.  The views extend into North Carolina and Georgia...  They are AMAZING.

After leaving there,  we drove to the nearby trailhead where we took a LONG hike to the first overlook where we could see Raven Cliff Falls...  This was my FIRST long hike since being sick ---so even though I did it,  I didn't find this hike nearly as enjoyable as many others we take... BUT--since we had not seen this 420 feet waterfall,  we really did want to see it and were glad we went.

Maybe in the future,  we can continue on the trail and get closer to that huge waterfall...  We would both enjoy it much better if we were closer so that we could get better pictures...  ALSO---there wasn't too much water coming over the falls...  SO---sometime,  we may go back!!!!!

Here are some pictures from that day...  IF you ever get to this area,  be sure and check out Caesars Head State Park.


George took my picture at Caesars Head State Park at one of the spectacular overlooks.



A little different view from Caesars Head State Park,  SC;   That is Table Rock in the distance.



We hiked down along the edge of the mountain to check out the 'head'..  See George on our trail?



We hiked down through the rocks on that little trail.... (Someone did a great job 'building' this trail!)



Here's Caesars HEAD....  See it?????
There are many stories about how Caesars Head got its name... That surely is NOT the head of Julius Caesar---but you might ask,  which Caesar?????   Some say that the name came from an early mountaineer's dog....  Who knows?  BUT--it was neat to see.  If you want to read more about Caesars Head,  click HERE.


Raven Cliff Falls 3/22/17  (with my long lens)



UPPER part of Raven Cliff Falls with my long lens;  (You can see the little bridge across this huge waterfall.)



Lower part or Raven Cliff Falls  (with my long lens)



Us at the overlook for Raven Cliff Falls 3/22/17
It was QUITE cool and VERY WINDY at that overlook... I needed my handsome man to warm me up a bit!!!!   I'll admit that "I" was a bit unhappy with this waterfall after such a long hike, with lots of elevation changes...   I was proud of myself for making the hike --but was hoping that we could see it better and that there would have been more water coming over the falls...    AND--the additional hike to the bridge across the waterfall would have added a few more miles to an already long hike...   Maybe SOMEDAY we will go back...  I did finish the day with 6.7 miles on my FITBIT (over 16,000 steps)...  SO--I was happy that I could do what I did!!!

Well---I don't want to discourage anyone from hiking to Raven Cliff Falls..  It was mostly me --just getting over a month's respiratory illness.    BUT--I will say that I really loved Caesars Head..  There are picnic tables on top of that escarpment ---so if you are in the area,  stop by and check it out and take a picnic lunch.

*************
Hope you had an awesome EASTER..  We certainly did.   For us Christians,  this (along with Christmas),  is one of the highlights of the year.  Christ has RISEN.  Alleluia!!!!!!!

Have a great week.

Hugs,

38 comments:

imac said...

Wonderful walk Betsy, Bet George enjoys being {dragged} along,lol

Ann said...

So pretty. Thanks for sharing your trip.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, kudos to you for making this hike. The views are beautiful. Lovely collection of photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

Janice K said...

I am always amazed at all the wonderful places you two find to visit. You take such amazing pictures.
Have you ever thought of publishing an illustrated travel guide? I think it would be great!

George said...

I'm proud of you for doing so well on this hike so soon after your illness. It would be nice to see the waterfall when there is a greater water flow, but I'm not sure I'd want to add to the hike we did just to get a closer look!

Fun60 said...

Even without the water the views are spectacular.

Rohrerbot said...

Glad you're over that cold. What s nice place....and that is a good hike. Almost 7 miles is a good walk for any age!

Liene said...

So glad you made it to Caesars Head! I wish I had known you were coming - I would have suggested a different hike instead of Raven Cliff. At least you made it before the trees leafed out, then it's impossible to see! The trail to the bridge doesn't offer any closer views of the falls (only the view from above on the bridge), for that you have to circle around on "Dismal" trail to Naturaland Trust - and it's called 'dismal' for a reason! With so many other falls in our area, we skip this one with visitors... next time you come we'll find something more interesting for you!

David said...

Betsy, I think that you and George hold the record for State Parks visited any you certainly hold the record for waterfalls viewed! As for the hike, even still recovering from illness, you still hiked further than I could! Here's to your further recovery soon! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

A Colorful World said...

Sorry you were sick but glad to see the two of you out and about again. Beautiful photos! Our waterfall areas are still frozen here, but hopefully in another month we can get to them and see some and take some great shots...and also of the countryside. Yours of the area are just beautiful! Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I see the head!! And those treacherous steps!! You AMAZE me!!! I would think by now you would be the healthiest woman on the planet! I love the picture of you up on the outlook, and the last one of you and George, Gorgeous!! Now I'll tell you something funny...just for your eyes. When you said George was on his way to visit the Head, I thought he was looking for a portable bathroom!!!

linda m said...

Such beautiful scenery. I am glad you were able to make the hike. I think the last picture says it all. LOVE

Lady Fi said...

What beautiful views! And your header iris shot is stunning.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You and George are an inspiration, Betsy. Doug and I have slowed down a lot on our hiking. I'm dealing with Plantar Fasciitis right now and can't walk or stand too long. I love seeing all the places you two go, though. Your doing this hike so soon after recovering from a respiratory illness is impressive. I thought the falls were beautiful and had plenty of water, but yours are the only pictures I've seen of them so have no point of comparison. Looks like a beautiful hike and another beautiful state park to add to your list. :)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Betsy,I think you did amazing to walk that far after being sick for a long time.It takes a while to recover from something like that. The fact that you didn't get to see as much as you wanted is just reason enough to go back. You do have lovely pictures of that area.
Hugs

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

What a trooper to take on a challenge while trying to get better. But you are a lover of trails and waterfalls so,I suppose that got you out and about. Happy Easter as well.

Arkansas Patti said...

Next time maybe after a heavy week of rain and it will be spectacular. I am so impressed you tackled such a long hike after being so sick. Glad you are better now and you are quite the trooper. Loved those matching shirts. Perfect color for you both.

Jeevan said...

The views are awesome over there... reminding me recent trip to Ooty. the trail seems to build well through the narrow rocks and sides of the mountain. Really interesting to check a face on the rock and the raven cliff falls looks wonderful and should be terrific to check during full flow... Lovely shots!

Glad u able to take hiking again and I wish you come back with full energy to go near the falls

Nancy Chan said...

Glad to see that you are well and back to hiking. Yes, I see Caesars Head. Spectacular view and pretty waterfall.

Kay said...

You two have the MOST fun together! You show us how to live life to the fullest.

Lowcarb team member said...

I think you did incredibly well, it takes time to get over a respiratory illness.
Lovely selection of photographs here for us all to enjoy.

I always enjoy seeing the two of you together.

Have a good week
Sending my good wishes.

All the best Jan

Linda G. said...

It is wonderful that you and George are able to hike hat far of a distance!

BeachGypsy said...

howdy there Betsy, so glad you shared all these neat pictures--we've never been there! Very pretty scenery for sure. I'm so glad you got to go but I took one look at those STEPS and remember back in the "young days" hiking trails like that--well--I will never be able to tackle those again but I have my memories and my pictures! My knees wont let me do stairs like that again. Getting old is so discouraging ain't it? LOL Anyway, I'm sure glad you got to finish that hike, it's a long one and you were probably struggling with just getting over the respiratory junk, I am struggling through it now---it seems to HANG ON FOREVER. Glad you visited the blog recent--and yes! indeed!---we often stand in silence beneath the church bells and just LISTEN......it's so amazing especially with how long some of those bells have been ringing out in our city. After you've lived here awhile you can differenciate between all the church bells and know who is ringing. I'm glad you got to enjoy them---we love the clanging bells here!

Rose said...

That sure is a beautiful area. You sure captured some fantastic views.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I have been to Brevard but I have not been to this park. It looks AMAZING! So beautiful. Glad you were able to enjoy it, even if you aren't quite back to your usual feisty self. Hopefully each day you'll start to feel a little stronger from here!

Jeanne said...

You and George sure know how to pick the most beautiful places to vacation!! Love these views and I especially love trails with rails!

Connie said...

Wow, sounds like that was quite a hike! Nice pictures. Sorry to hear it was a bit disappointing for you, but at least you can say you've been there. :)

Lux G. said...

Oh, what a view. Love this place!
Thanks for the tour.

Jacqueline said...

Stunning photos! We love to hike and hope to get back to it this coming weekend. My husband injured his knee but it is better now so we hope to get back on the trails. Even our pup , Annie, has gained weight since we cut back on walking!

Marie said...

breath-taking views. hope you had a nice Easter!
hugs,
Marie

Janie said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy. I like the stairs through the steep walls and the one of you on the overlook, waving.

Betsy said...

gonna try this again, not sure where my unfinished comment to you is at the moment, but anyhow... I want to say you two are so energetic and fit. I want to do something like this and I guess 6 months is enough time after a knee replacement?
It's beautiful, you are giving me some great ideas of places to go and see. Love both of your smiles and such beautiful scenery.
Thank you for your visit to my post and I was going to reply there but you have "no reply to blogger" enabled.
betsy

Pam said...

Lady you rock! I am pretty sure that me hiking that to and from would pretty much do me in! Awesome on all those steps! Great seeing it through your eyes.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

What pretty country! You did great to make the hike! I do see a head 😀. You must be feeling better thankful

Small Kucing said...

amazing view, Betsy. You look so tiny again the force of nature. The beauty of mother earth

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Such beautiful views! You two are amazing what with all that hiking you do. And after being sick, too! I'm sorry the waterfalls didn't have more water but it was still quite a sight anyway. And I do see the head! I also love the gorgeous iris in your header photo.
Take care and stay well!
xx Cheryl

troutbirder said...

Oh my. "Spectacular" hardly covers it. What views!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, What a beautiful park! I know how much you love those waterfalls. I just looked at the picture of all those stairs and sighed. Oh the knees, I think! Ha! Glad you made your hike. Have a wonderful week!