Benton Falls Hike- 4-13-15

On April 13, 2015,  we left home heading south to stay for a couple of nights in the lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia... Since it is only a four hour drive there from our home,  we decided to stop and check out a waterfall and to do some hiking along the way. 

We had been checking the radar for a couple of days ---and knew that there was a chance of RAIN every single day of our trip.  We had several options of which way to travel to get to the state park...  SO---since the radar didn't look as 'bad' (rain-wise) if we went southeast to get there,  we decided to go that way.

AND--did we ever get lucky!!!!!!  We didn't have much rain at all while in the Cherokee National Park area.  The rain was all around us --but all we got were a few sprinkles and a couple of quick downpours while we were in the car.  While hiking,  we had NO rain at all.  Thanks be to God.  We had a marvelous time.

Today,  I'll share some pictures from that first day of our short trip hiking to BENTON FALLS!!!!  Be sure to click on them for enlargements. The top picture is US at Benton Falls.

We stopped on our way up the mountain at some of the overlooks.  You can see that the skies around us were showing clouds and rain ---but  even though it was breezy,  we enjoyed being at that overlook.  I think that is Parksville Lake down below.

Hiking to Benton Falls (about 3 miles round-trip) was perfect.  The trail was in great shape and we enjoyed the hike so much.

I love the WILDFLOWERS this time of year ---and this little guy (that looks like s Wild Iris) caught my attention as we hiked.  Pretty, isn't it?

I took this picture of George as he climbed around the big rocks near the base of Benton Falls ---to get some fantastic pictures of that 65 feet tall waterfall. 

Here is one of George's fantastic waterfall pictures.  This is BENTON FALLS--taken on 4/13/15. 

At another overlook --on our way back down the mountain after our hike,  I took this picture with my long lens showing the area--up close and personal.

We didn't have a picnic at this overlook ---but we stopped to take pictures.  Wouldn't it be neat to have a picnic there sometime?

HA HA HA-----I got caught!!!!!  Can you see my feet????  George just had to take this picture of me without my shoes on!!!!!!!  He loves to say that "You can take the girl out of the mountains,  but you can't take the mountains out of the girl!"    SO TRUE....   I truly don't go barefooted much anymore ---but had just taken the hiking boots off and were going to put on my tennis shoes... I just hadn't done it yet!!!!! ha

Here's one more picture from one of the overlooks...  I love seeing the new green leaves popping out on some of the trees.   That peaked mountain is named Sugarloaf Mountain.

This is my 'creative' shot showing the angry skies....  As I've said,  there was rain around ---but we were just lucky not to get wet today.  (We did carry our rain jackets with us though just in case!!!!  My mother used to say to carry an umbrella to keep it from raining.  SO--maybe our blue rain jackets work the same way!!!!! ha)

Here is one last picture of George and me at BENTON FALLS,  Tennessee..  IF you want to read more information about this area,  click HERE.

I do want to share one story with you today --so I hope you have time to read this one.  George and I always meet such nice people on the trails when we hike.  On this particular day,  as we were hiking back to our car after viewing the falls,  we met a family of 4-5 people on the trail.  Of course,  we talked to them --and during that conversation,  I noticed that one of the men was carrying a bouquet of flowers.   I then asked,  "What is the special occasion?"   WELL---I was sad to hear that this was the family who lost a 6 year old child (little girl) on this same date in 2006.  A black bear had attacked the family while they were at Benton Falls--and both the mother and little brother (who were there on this occasion) had been injured by the bear.  The little girl ran off --and the bear grabbed her and killed her.  This family was going to put flowers at the spot where the child had been killed... I almost cried while talking to that family.  I prayed for them---and continued to think about them the rest of the day.  NOTE:  There has never been another bear attack in those woods,  so the rangers think that this particular bear (which they did catch) was sick... Nevertheless,  that was a horrible thing for any family to go through.  God Bless them all.

Hope you have a fantastic day/week.

Hugs,

Emoticons

Winter Bird Photos of My Backyard Birds--Part 2

That Mockingbird looks rather disgusted with all of the ICE around.  Poor Thing!  (Photo taken on 2/17/15)

Last Thursday I showed you the first 10 photos of my Backyard Birds which I took the past few months... Click HERE   to see that post if you missed it.  Today,  I'll share 10 more with you.   Hope you enjoy the pictures... The poor birds really struggled here this winter after the horrible ICE, snow and frigid temperatures we had... I love feeding them year-round --but especially during a cold winter.  Be sure to click on the pictures for enlargements.

I kept having to break the icicles off of the domes --so that the birds could get in there for some food.  (Photo taken on 2/16/15)

I love this photo showing the Northern Flicker at the top suet feeder,  the Finches in the plate feeder in the middle,  and the Robin on the deck rail at the bottom....The Robin was trying to find a way to get his LARGE body up to the house feeder.... Not sure he ever made it to that feeder!!! (Photo taken on 2/26/15)

The Pine Siskins flocked to the feeders (and deck) during our harsh winter.  (Photo taken on 2/18/15)

Love this picture of a Tufted Titmouse grabbing a peanut!!!  (Photo by 2/17/15)

I have a 'heated' Birdbath ---and the birds love it especially when they can't get water in other places during an icy/snowy winter.  (Photo taken on 2/26/15)   (NOTE:  I told you that our 'resident' Robin was here most of the time... He seems to be in most of the pictures... ha)

Our little Carolina Wrens are such cute little birds... They are always around ---and LOVE to 'sneak' into our garage and try to build a house in there (which is a NO-NO).....ha   (Photo taken on 2/17/15)

I seemed to take alot of pictures of the Northern Flicker Woodpecker (but they are such gorgeous birds).   (Photo taken on 2/16/15)

I love this picture of an Eastern Bluebird on the tree --waiting to come to the feeders.  (Photo taken on 2/18/15)

Always a favorite bird at our feeders!!!!  (Photo taken on 3/28/15)

I didn't see our Pileated Woodpeckers when the weather was so bad --but after it began to warm up,  they began coming back to have a snack at the suet feeders. Like the Northern Flickers,  the Pileated Woodpeckers are so gorgeous.  I never get tired of seeing them.

Now that Spring is here,  some of our winter birds are moving on (like the Pine Siskins).  There are now some new birds at the feeders (Brown Thrashers,  Blue Jays) ---and I hope to see the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks when they come through here while migrating... AND--of course,  we are looking for the Hummingbirds to return.

Happy Spring to YOU ---and Happy BIRDING!!!  Sorry I haven't been around in Blogland much lately.  We've been out having fun ---searching waterfalls and doing some hiking!!!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons