Rufus Morgan Falls, Franklin, NC

I talk alot about how much I enjoy being deep in the mountains with nobody else around (except George of course) enjoying a beautiful waterfall. I feel God's presence all around ---and can just sit there and meditate for hours. One of these waterfalls that comes to mind is a little-known one in a remote, mountainous area near Franklin, NC.

We visited here (about a mile hike) on November 10, 2006. The falls are named after an Episcopal priest, Albert Rufus Morgan. He was quite a hiker--and hiked to Mount Le Conte in the Smokies 172 times. He lived to be 97 years old--and died in 1983. Here are some pictures from that hike. Above is Rufus Morgan Falls. You can see that this waterfall is divided into two distinct sections.





I loved this hike WAY up in the mountains. There is laurel and rhododendron everywhere!





This is the upper falls. What a beautiful setting!




George got fairly close to the falls.




Now see me holding up the rock???!!!! SURE I am!!!! ha





Now we are closer to the bottom part of the falls. Note the top part in the distance. This is such a neat area!!!! We had a wonderful hike up that mountain.





On our way back down that mountain, we could see Mrs. P (our Prius) waiting for us at the bottom... Can I tell you that the hike down was easier than the hike up?????? ha





Here we are at the bottom of the mountain. But--our sweet Prius keeps asking us WHY we make her drive us all over the mountains while we search for new waterfalls????.... She's better than a 4-wheel drive vehicle for sure since she drives us on many gravel and dirt roads in those mountains!!!!!

IF you enjoy hiking in the woods and are ever near Franklin, NC (this is for you, Peggy)---check this beautiful area and waterfall out.


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Today is 9/11.... Please fly your flags today in memory of all of those Americans who died on 9/11/01. God Bless those families ---and God Bless the USA. Let's show our Patriotism today---and all of the time.

Hugs,

Woody and More

Yesterday afternoon, as I sat on my throne (the sofa) doing some blogging (of course), I was also watching the birds come and go from the feeders on the deck. I didn't get a picture---but we've had several new baby Cardinals on the deck recently---waiting for Daddy or Mama to feed them. They are so precious, while sitting there shaking and tingling (like a little bell) begging for food.


BUT---the best visitors to the feeders were three different varieties of our gorgeous woodpeckers. I want to share some pictures I took yesterday. Above is always one of my favorites , our Red-headed Woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker). Below are several more.







Here's another view of a Red-headed Woodpecker on one side of the suet feeder and a Red-bellied Woodpecker on the OTHER side... See him????









The Red-bellied Woodpeckers LOVE the suet feeders. AND---they also love to CHIRP loudly up in the trees off and on all day long!









This cute little Red-bellied was telling me that he liked the suet in the feeder!!!!









This cute little guy is one of our Downy Woodpeckers. Isn't he pretty? They are smaller than both the Red-bellied and the Red-headed ones.









I love this shot of the little Downy... He looks like he is really concentrating, doesn't he????









These last three pictures were not taken yesterday. But I wanted to show you the other two woodpeckers we have in our yard. This guy is a Northern Flicker--and they do not come to feeders. But we have alot of them around ---and see them often. Aren't they pretty birds?







I love this picture of the Northern Flicker. He looks like he is getting ready to sing a song!!!! ha







And ---here's one of my all-time favorite woodpeckers, the Pileated Woodpecker. This is the largest of our woodpeckers ---and when they are around, you can really hear them! They have come to the feeders ---but only on occasion. I love these woodpeckers though.


Hope you enjoyed my day with Woody and the others!!!


Hugs,