Ice Castle Falls

In March of 2008, George and I drove north of Crossville to the Big South Fork area. We wanted to do some hiking and 'waterfalling' on a beautiful, early spring day. So--we went to the Honey Creek area to hike part of the loop trail there.


We accomplished all that we set out to do. Our accomplishments: We took a great 3 mile hike (the exercise we needed) AND got to see FOUR new waterfalls (Christopher Falls, Ice Castle Falls, Brooke Falls and Honey Creek Falls). All were nice---but my favorite by far was Ice Castle Falls. The big cliffs, boulders, rhododendron and laurels, and a cave-like rock-house made an incredible setting. It was just one of those serene, gorgeous places to visit!!! Today, I want to share some photos from Ice Castle Falls. Above is me standing by the Ice Castle Falls sign. Below are more!







This is the actual waterfall (Ice Castle). As you can tell, there isn't much water coming over the falls. However, it is still one of my favorite waterfalls, mainly because of the setting.









George stands at the base of Ice Castle Falls. You just cannot imagine how neat this rock-house was all around the area.







Besides the rock-shelf and the waterfall, there were gorgeous Rhododendrons all around. Awesome!!!









You can get more of an idea about all of the huge rocks in this area. It was like a HUGE bowl!!!







Another view of the rock-shelf and the Rhodies; It's hard to show its beauty in pictures. You just need to be there!!!!







George wandered around among the Rhodies and rocks to get lots of pictures from all different angles.







Look what I did while George wandered around... I could have sat here FOREVER---well, at least until the nighttime critters came out!!!!! Yipes!







Look at those enormous rocks.... Like I said, it was like a huge bowl. Even with only a little water coming over the falls, the sound was loud because of the echoes.







Another picture of Ice Castle Falls







And finally, here is my favorite picture of Ice Castle Falls. If you ever get in the Big South Fork area in Tennessee, check out this beautiful area. There were three other waterfalls that we saw that day--but this one was definitely our favorite.

As I've said many times, some of our favorite waterfalls (out of the 350 or so that we've seen total) are the smaller ones in perfect settings. AND--if we have the falls to ourselves ---like we did that day, they will always be VERY special.






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My Bluebird babies are doing fine and really growing. I should be thankful there are only FOUR in the nest. I don't know what they'd do if there were more!!! If you look carefully, you can now see 3 beaks...


We went to Hendersonville yesterday to see George's parents. They both are doing fine.. Dad (age 97) got out on his tractor this week and mowed his lawn... Mom was so cute yesterday. We were sitting around their dining room table talking to them. Dad was trying to say something but couldn't get the words out. Mom looked over at him and said: "Having a Senior Moment?" The way she said it made me laugh outloud. What a pair--and an inspiration.


Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,

Baby Robin and More

A few days ago, I noticed a cute little bird on the railing on our deck... At first I wasn't sure what this little guy was---but then I realized that it was a baby Robin... I knew that there had been a nest above our neighbor's gutters. SO--I assume the babies had fledged recently and this was one of them.


After he sat there for awhile ---looking around, Daddy or Mama Robin came and fed him... It was just so cute to watch. That little guy stayed on the railing for about 45 minutes --and one of the adults would come by and feed him. I watched him for awhile ---but then I had other things I needed to do. He finally left--and I haven't seen him since that day. The picture above shows that precious little Robin.. Note his fuzzy hair!!!! More pictures are below.







This is the Mama feeding her baby... Both male and female Robins feed their young. The Papa is darker and more colorful.







"Now, ain't I just the purdiest thang you ever done saw?" (Tennessee talk--ha ha)






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I've talked in several posts about this neat rose, Rio Samba. When it first opens out, it is quite yellow. Then , as it gets older, it turns pink... Isn't that amazing???? It's hard to believe that the two roses above are one-and-the-same. These are both Rio Samba!!!! Awesome, isn't it?







This new rose (new to us this year) is named Sweetness.... George brought one inside, and put it in a vase on our dining room table. This rose smells absolutely fabulous!







Here's another picture of our white rose, Sweet Freedom. I think it is prettier now that it has opened all of the way out... Do you like white roses???? I definitely do!!! (This rose is definitely white despite the picture which makes it look more pastel.)






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These Bluebird babies are now about 8 or 9 days old... If you compare this picture with others that I have posted, you'll note how much the babies have grown. You can see two of them clearly in this photo..


Bluebirds have 2-3 broods each spring/summer. After the first group leaves the nest, they then help Mom and Dad with the next brood... They even help feed the babies. Isn't that neat???? Oh--how I love my Bluebirds!!!


Have a great Thursday. We're heading back to Hendersonville to check on George's parents. Janet (George's sister) did our week when we went to the beach ---so we're doing two weeks in a row this time.


Hugs,