Memories from 2006

YAHOO FALLS, KENTUCKY 6/4/06

Dear Friends,  2020 has certainly done a 'number' on all of us --with all of the changes in our lives.  One thing which George and I miss terribly are all of our trips...  SO---this year,  we have had time to re-live some of the wonderful little trips all through the years... I don't know what we'd do without these photos to jog our memories.

George and I got married in 2001 ---and immediately began locating as many waterfalls  as we could find, most of them not too far from home!   George was still working (retired in 2006) --so most of our 'get-aways' before 2006 were short trips and day trips.

We have lost count --but I think that we've seen about 1000 DIFFERENT waterfalls --most of them between 2001-2015 (or so)...  We still love waterfalls --but many of our recent trips involve more than just waterfalls.

I started Blogging in 2006  (on a site --which died out) ---so I didn't start BLOGGER (Blogspot) until 2009.   In looking for old posts on Blogger,  my first posts were in 2009...   SO --- none of our pictures before 2009 have ever been on Blogger... Therefore,   while looking back at our photos,  I picked out photos taken on June 4, 2006 to put into a Blog Post to share with you today...  One thing I will say when looking at old photos:  cameras these days certainly do a better job than cameras did in 2006!!!! Of course,  the photographers are probably better now also!!!!!  (At least, I'll speak for myself!!! ha)

Today's Post was taken at YAHOO FALLS in Whitley City,  Kentucky in the Big South Fork National Recreation Area.  We have been to Yahoo Falls (since it is fairly close to our home) several times.  This waterfall is known as Kentucky's TALLEST waterfall --at 113 feet...  However,  it seldom has a lot of water coming over the falls --especially in Summer.  

BUT---the beauty of being here is the area itself.  The awesome trail is not too long --and it's just fun to take a short hike back into the woods in that area.... You can go down to the Falls on the rocky, gorge-like side --since they built some neat steps going down there..  OR--if you don't like steps,  the other side going down has a traditional trail.  You can also hike along the brink of the falls.  ALSO---if you like you can take a spur trail and visit a gorgeous Natural Arch  (called Yahoo Arch) while there... Even with a 'lack' of a lot of water,  we love it there, and highly recommend it to YOU!!!!   Enjoy the photos today,  taken 14 years ago!!!!

 Like I said,  we have been to this area several times ---but these are the only pictures from 2006.  In other similar blog posts,  I showed the steps going down into the gorge,  and I also showed the arch. SO---stay tuned and I may do another post from this amazing little hike/area.

Hope you have an awesome week...  Stay HAPPY;  Stay SAFE..... Prayers for our country --and especially now for the folks out west who have been affected by the horrible wildfires,  and for those along the Gulf of Mexico who have so much damage from the hurricanes.... 2020 has not been a good year for the USA in so many ways.... God Bless ALL of us.

Hugs, 

Betsy💝💛💚💕

Come with us and get some Exercise!

Want a little exercise????  Join us on a couple of short HIKES.

 Dear Friends/Family,   When we were at Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Asheville, NC (from June 15-18),  we took time every day to get some exercise.   Today,  I'm featuring what we did on June 17.   Hope you enjoy our hikes!!!

First of all,  we have to get there!!!!!  We count on our pretty Prius to take us on our journey!!!! NOW-- Think back to June 17, 2020 (which is the day we were there)!

It's a little CHILLY and DRIZZLY this morning --so don't forget to bring your Rain Jackets!!!

We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway heading east from Pisgah Inn.  We stopped at an overlook and took a SHORT hike on the Mountains to Sea Trail  (which is a LONG trail from Clingman's Dome in the Smoky Mountains all of the way to the Outer Banks,  NC)...

Along that trail,  George is waiting for me to take pictures of the beautiful Mountain Laurel in bloom  (which will be another post).

A smiling old woman --who is enjoying being out in nature on the Mountains to Sea Trail!

We then hopped back in our Prius and headed east of Asheville along the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit an absolutely beautiful waterfall, not too far from Mt. Mitchell.  This was the beginning of that trail.

Isn't this creek gorgeous?  The 1.2 mile (.6 each way) to the waterfall was a nice hike up an old logging road.  I always love hearing the sound of rushing water when we hike in the woods.   Are you still with us????

George is anxious to see that waterfall.   (We had seen it a couple of times --many years ago.)

My first view of that amazing cascade, named Roaring Fork Falls.  My waterfall book says that we are at an elevation here of 3,080 feet and that the cascade is about 45 feet high.

You should hear the sound of that rushing water.    I would love to put up a tent and just stay here all night....

I sat on a rock while George took pictures with his tripod.   Such incredible beauty!!!

Here is one of George's awesome pictures of Roaring Fork Falls.  I love the 'silky' water! 

This is another of George's photos --but this one is zoomed in a bit (so that you can see how much water was flowing down that cascade).  

Like we always do,  we used the tripod to get some pictures of us together...   

I hope you enjoyed our two hikes today!!!!!  Do you feel better now that you got some exercise?  Hope you are hungry!  After our marvelous day,  we were ready for some dinner... SO--we drove into Asheville --and ate at one of our favorite restaurants,  The Moose Cafe.....They have the best home-made biscuits with their home-made Apple Butter.... YUM!!!!

Well,  I guess it's time to head back to Pisgah Inn and have some hot tea on the balcony.... Want some?

The hike is over --and we are now (7/13/20)  'back to the grind' at home!!!!!  Hope your week is GREAT...  I get my yearly Mammogram tomorrow and then on Wednesday,  George visits our Eye Doctor (to hopefully get help for his failing eyesight)....

Hugs,
💚💕💚Betsy💚💕💚

Just a Hike near Home with our fabulous FAMILY

At the Overlook in Fairfield Glade in late afternoon, 11/3/19,  we did see a little Fall Color when the sun was shining on it.   This is Mark and Robin!!!

Dear Friends/Family,   George and I have been busy the past several days --so my Blog Post this week is a 'tad' late!!!!!  Sorry.....  Anyhow --I will share with you some pictures from a 1.6 mile hike we took yesterday at the Overlook Trail,  right here in Fairfield Glade...

Mark and Robin came to visit --which always brings JOY to this Mom!!!!  We had some dinner here at home,  sat and talked/talked/talked,  and then after eating that Lemon Bundt Cake,  we just HAD to take an 'adventure'..... However,  since the time changed yesterday,  it now gets dark an hour earlier (which for us is about 4:30 pm now).. Yuck!!!!    SO--we knew we didn't have much time before dark....  BUT--we did it anyhow!!!!!

Hope you enjoy some pictures of FOUR people having a great time --and getting some exercise --as we enjoyed rustling through the leaves...  (Does anyone besides me love walking and hearing --and smelling --the leaves crunching under our feet in the Fall?)

Our little hike took us in and around several beautiful caves and rock formations.  In this picture of  Mark, Robin and George,  the guys are bending down to Robin's level since she is a tiny one!

The hike was a 1.6 mile loop --and the trail was in really good shape.

The trail led us down to Daddy's Creek where we enjoyed seeing some Fall Color --and reflections in the water.

Peak-A-Boo!!!!!!!   I see you two in there!!!!!!

Another neat picture of the clear water --and reflections

Mark, George and me --having a great day.

I love this picture of Mark next to the creek.  The sun was setting --and the reflections in the water were so neat!  Hope you notice all of the HUGE dried leaves on the ground  (brown on one side and a grayish white on the other side)... See next picture!!!!

Mark and Robin said while having that 'puzzled' look on their faces:  "Look at this HUGE leaf"...   (I had the 'job' of finding out what tree all of these leaves were from.) 

Here is a picture of some of the huge leaves....  I did some research and found out that  the trees are called BIG LEAF MAGNOLIAS  (also called The Toilet Paper Tree or the Umbrella tree).   I want to come back in spring to see the huge blooms which can be a foot wide...I've seen lots of Magnolias in my life --but never this one.  

The Big Leaf Magnolia Trees are only found in certain areas along the Cumberland Plateau in the state of TN.  I can see why some call this tree the Umbrella Tree....  WOW!

As we walked along the creek,  I looked up to see the sun shining on the tops of all of the trees.  It was shady where we were --and the sun was beginning to go down.

Here's what we saw from the edge of the creek...  The sun's reflections on the water made it look like the water was on FIRE!!!!

There were lots of beautiful Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurel around this area --along with more little caves and amazing rock formations.  Mark and Robin posed for me to get their picture.

Mark and Robin love being out in nature --and have so much fun together.. In this picture,  Robin was pointing as she said:  "Look at this crazy guy climbing a tree"...   ha ha

Mark (like George) loves to climb out on the rocks and get lots of pictures....

Robin and I were having FUN  wondering what was going to climb out of that little cave toward us....

Let's get moving!!!!!  It will be dark soon....  (Loved the trail --which was in great shape.)

Beautiful sunset --once we got back up that mountain to where we started... This picture was taken at the same place that the very top picture of this blog post was taken (of Mark and Robin).  

WELL---for awhile,  I was wondering if we'd make it back before darkness totally took over.   BUT--we did!!!!!   It was a great hike and we love hiking with Mark and Robin since they also enjoy stopping along the way checking things out --and learning more about being out in nature.... Seeing  the huge Big Leaf Magnolia leaves was just AWESOME.

The hike was SO NEAT;  having Mark and Robin here was even better;  AND --it was a GREAT DAY!!!!!!   We drove back to our home --and of course,  we just HAD to have another piece of Lemon Bundt Cake!!!!!!! ha

Have an awesome week...

Hugs,

Emoticons

Come to the Limberlost with Me

Put on your walking shoes and go with me into the Limberlost Forest!!

Dear Friends,   I invite you to go with me on an interesting hike in the woods on the LIMBERLOST TRAIL,   off of  Skyline Drive in Virginia  (8/7/19).   Even if you aren't much of a 'hiker' --you would enjoy this trail.  It is only 1.3 miles total,  in a mostly flat area --and the trail is in GREAT shape with benches all along the area for resting and/or reflection.

This trail is a little different from many of the trails along Skyline Drive --since it is just a short walk through the woods  (with no overlooks or views).   BUT--depending upon when you are there,  there are LOTS of things to see and experience--including wildlife (deer, bears, rabbits, etc.).

Years ago,  this area was known for its HUGE Hemlock Trees.  I grew up with Hemlocks in our yard,  so I've always had a special affection toward them.   Most of you know that many of the Hemlocks throughout our country have been killed over the past ten+ years by an accidentally imported insect (the Hemlock wooly adelgid).   Seeing the dead Hemlock trees is just SO sad for me.  

When we hike,  I enjoy doing some research in order to find out more about an area.  Here's some history about this trail/area.  Addie Pollack bought 100 of the large Hemlock trees in the area for $1000 to help preserve this land in 1920 from logging.  Her husband named it the Limberlost Forest after the novel,  "A Girl of the Limberlost".   The Pollocks were responsible for establishing Skyland as a resort destination nearby (which is where George and I stayed recently).

Today,   I'll share some of the things I observed while hiking this trail....  Hope you enjoy 'our' hike  today!!!!!

George waits patiently for me --while I stop and check out my surroundings.

There are beautiful (and large) ferns everywhere...

Deep into the forest we go... What can I see?

How 'bout a Centipede (OR some kind of insect)???

OR --this strange tree!!!!  I named him Mr. Knotty!!!!

George is waiting on me again!!!!!!! ha ha

Oh My---see the pretty little Wildflowers?

We did see a few larger Hemlocks along our way.

Here's a close-up of a Hemlock --in case you don't recognize them.

Something is enjoying this dead tree!!!!  (It's not a beaver though since there's no water nearby.)

Called the "Rock of Ages" --Such an interesting rock formation!!!

I did some research on this interesting group of rocks...They are called  Columnar Joints which formed many years ago as volcanic rock cooled and contracted,  and is thus a geological structure where sets of intersecting closely spaced fractures,  referred to as joints,  resulted in the formation of an array of columns... Column diameters can measure anywhere up to about 10 feet, and the length can be as much as 100 feet.  They are typically parallel and straight--but can be curved.  The number of sides of the individual columns can vary from 3-8,  with 6 sides being the most common.   If you want more information,   click HERE.

Here is a better picture of the "Rock of Ages";  Interesting, huh?

I love seeing all of the different mushrooms.

Maybe I'll just sit in the ferns for awhile!!!!

Or maybe I'll just enjoy seeing the deer showing no fear of our presence nearby..

HOPE:  A Baby Hemlock!!!

I'll end our little hike showing you that there is HOPE when it comes to nature..... Things do come back--even though it takes awhile.  I loved seeing the 'baby' Hemlocks!!!!!!!   Do you enjoy checking out all of the glories of nature when you are out walking or hiking????   I certainly do!

Hope you enjoyed our hike on the LIMBERLOST TRAIL today....

Happy Labor Day to ALL.

Hugs,

Emoticons