Rapids of Bull Sluice

Bull Sluice  (from the overlook on the South Carolina side of the river),  5/18/14

Bull Sluice (on the South Carolina/Georgia border near Highway 76) is a series of rapids along the Chattooga River.  Kayakers and others who enjoy rapids love this one --although it is considered very dangerous.  There have been at least 8 people who have lost their lives on this course.

George and I stopped here once before ---but we wanted to check it out again since we were traveling in that area.  We were there on May 18,  2014  on our way to the beach.  Today I'll share a few photos from Bull Sluice.  Be sure to click on them for enlargements.

We enjoyed watching the 'white-water-rafting' while there...

I love George's special 'fancy' water photos --with his special lens/tripod.... Looks like silk!!!

Here is George with his tripod doing his 'thing'.... I enjoy watching him work to get good water photos.

This is what I get to do when George is photographing water!!!!   (He knew I took a picture of him -so he took one of me too!!!!!)

This boat (group of 4) scared me --since the boat got turned around... See the next photo to see what happened...

OOPS.... Only one person left in the boat!!!!  YIPES... Three fell out!!!!!  (The good news is that, luckily,  they were all fine!!!)  Kinda scary to watch though.

Here's one more photo showing what the area looks like ---as those boats have to manipulate around the rocks in the raging water.

Finally,  here's one more 'fancy' photo by George of those rapids.... The best water photos one can get is in raging water like this.  George was in 7th heaven on this day!!!!

Hope you are having a good Wednesday.  I will see you on Friday!!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons

Two New Waterfalls for George and me!!!

US at 30 foot Reedy Branch Falls,  South Carolina,  5/18/14

On  May 18, 2014,  on our way to Ocean Isle Beach  (check THIS post),  we stopped along the way to visit some waterfalls.  This year,  we stopped at 3 different places (once we got into South Carolina on Highway 76).  One was BULL SLUICE (which we have seen before) ---but the other two places were NEW waterfalls to us...

Today,  I'll share some photos of these two new waterfalls.  Hope you enjoy them.  Since I was getting over my surgery,  I still didn't have alot of energy.  SO--George picked waterfalls with almost no hiking needed...  That was perfect for me on this trip.

The first waterfall we saw was named REEDY BRANCH FALLS.  This 30 foot waterfall was gorgeous ---and we were the only people there.   SO--we just relaxed and enjoyed  ourselves for a little while,  thinking that the waterfall was there JUST for us!!!!

REEDY BRANCH FALLS -30 feet (South Carolina, 5/18/14)

Oh how she loves this man!!!!!!

Can you tell that we were having fun at Reedy Branch Falls????

Mrs. P (our wonderful Prius) enjoyed seeing the waterfall  too!!!!

The second NEW waterfall we saw that day (also on Highway 76 near Westminster, South Carolina) was in a fabulous county park,  CHAU-RAM County Park.  We were SO impressed with this gorgeous park (named for the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek).  We drove straight up to  RAMSEY CREEK FALLS (40 foot cascade) in this park...  It was just so beautiful!!!!!  And---again,  we had the waterfall and area  ALL to ourselves, due to the rain/drizzle!

I got to explore the area a little,  so I caught this photo of the Photographer at work with his tripod!!

Gorgeous  MOUNTAIN LAUREL in the park

The gorgeous tiny blooms of the Mountain Laurel;   Aren't they beautiful?

Two silly people having fun at Ramsey Creek Falls!!!  That guy makes me laugh!!!!

RAMSEY CREEK FALLS,  40 foot cascade;  (South Carolina, 5/18/14)

US  at RAMSEY CREEK FALLS,  South Carolina

I hope you enjoyed seeing our two new waterfalls!!!   I'm not sure what our total is now --since we sorta lost count.   BUT---we are probably up to 600+ different waterfalls seen since 2001....  Can you tell that these two lovebirds LOVE waterfalls????? ha

If you want to see more about the Chau-Ram County Park,  click HERE.  We highly recommend the two new waterfalls,  plus this park (there is picnicking, camping, lots of hiking, and even a big swinging bridge to see).  SO---we need to go back when we have more time to explore this park.. 

Here's some GOOD NEWS from me:  Went to see my surgeon yesterday for my 'follow-up' to surgery visit (been 3 weeks since my surgery).   My doctor checked me out --and DISMISSED me,  saying that everything is fine and that I am healed....  Yeah Rah!!!!!

Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday!

Hugs,

Emoticons

How to Really HEAL after Gallbladder Surgery

Healing Rule 1:  A trip to the BEACH;   Betsy at Ocean Isle Beach,  5/22/14

First of all,  a Happy Memorial Day to ALL.  I hope that you are enjoying the long weekend,  but remember to stay SAFE and also remember what we are celebrating today!  Don't ever forget those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces in order to provide us the freedom we enjoy.  God Bless them ALL.

OKAY (back to my post)----in order to help me get better after Gallbladder Surgery --and that nasty infection following the surgery,  my Sweetheart took me to the BEACH.  We had rescheduled our beach trip from the first week in May (due to my surgery) until this week...After having that infection,  I wasn't sure we'd even get to go this past week... BUT---we did --and  had a fabulous time...

We went to our favorite beach, to the Islander Inn in Ocean Isle Beach,  North Carolina (north of Myrtle Beach).  This is about the 10th year we have gone there in May ---and  we DID have a fantastic week.  The weather was truly PERFECT---with no rain and very few clouds all week long.

SO---today I'll take you on a 'healing' experience of a lifetime!!!!!!  Get some coffee and enjoy the photos!!!!!  Be sure to click on them for enlargements.

Healing Rule 2:  Find a wonderful inn on the beach, facing the ocean!

This year (because we had to change dates),  the inn worked with us to 'fit' us into this week.  We were in Building 6 (of 7) on the first floor --with parking below.  We actually liked the change!!!

Healing Rule 3:  Set up our chairs on the beach.   (Photo was taken from our room balcony)

It was amazing how 2 weeks could make such a difference in the number of people around... When we come the first of May,  there are not many people at all... This week,  there were MANY more people as you can tell.

Healing Rule 4:  Sit in your beach chair with a cold drink.  (Drink lots and lots of water!)

Neither of us came home with sunburns although we WERE out in the sun ALOT all week.   Thank Goodness for SUNSCREEN.....

A couple of the days were almost cool --due to the breeze,  but that last day (Thursday),  it got MUCH HOTTER...  (That made me realize why I don't like to go to the beach in the summer when it is extremely hot!!!! ha)

Healing Rule 5:  Enjoying French Vanilla Coffee with that wonderful man in my life on the Balcony!

We had our special coffee (gift from son/wife) on the balcony each morning while reading our daily devotions.   AND--we also enjoyed our lunch on the balcony!!!!  It was so nice to sit and just enjoy the ocean/waves/sounds/smells, etc... Love it!

Healing Rule 6:  Getting to see  'our' teeny tiny Beach House!!

Blog friends who have followed me for years will remember when this house was under construction.  We have followed this one for many years ---and I still cannot believe the SIZE of it.... Goodness---if I had enough money to really own a place like this,  I'm sure I'd also have enough money to pay a full staff to keep it up!!!!!!  Want one like this????  (As much as I love the beach,  I think I'd rather have a little log cabin in the mountains!!!)

Healing Rule 7:  Dinner at DOCKSIDE Seafood House in Calabash, NC

There are several really good seafood restaurants near Ocean Isle... A favorite of ours  is the LARGE Fried Scallops at Dockside... YUM!!!!!!  We can sit under the big Live Oak Tree and enjoy the waterfront while we are at Dockside.  We can also walk out on the pier and check out all of the fishing boats which bring those delicious shrimp, scallops,  oysters, etc.  to shore for us to enjoy.  Talk about FRESH SEAFOOD... It's the BEST. 

Healing Rule 8:  EXERCISE....

We enjoy taking long walks on the beach both mornings and afternoons.  It's great exercise for both of us ---AND we certainly need the exercise so that we can eat that delicious seafood!!!!

Healing Rule 9:  SLEEPING and/or NAPPING

Whether I'm on the beach --or in the room (listening to the waves),  it's great for napping and sleeping!!!!!!  LOVE it.

Healing Rule 10 and the MOST IMPORTANT:  Be with the most wonderful man in the world,  who takes such good care of me!!!

This photo was taken on 5/22/14 at the Gazebo at Islander Inn,  Ocean Isle Beach.   You all know how much I love George and appreciate everything he does for me...  BUT--this trip was one HUGE healing opportunity for me.. I feel GREAT!!!!!!!  Thanks, Honey!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons