WATERFALLS and HIKING in North Carolina-- 3/21/17

This is me sitting on a rock resting my weary bones at Upper Secret Falls after hiking to see this beauty!

George and I took a short trip to the Cashiers, North Carolina area to do some hiking and searching for waterfalls on March 21-23, 2017.   We love the Cashiers area --especially the little INN where we stay (Laurelwood Inn)..  This is our third time to stay at Laurelwood--and we loved it.  If you'd like to see a blog post showing pictures from Laurelwood Inn (2014),  click HERE.

This year we first drove through the Cullasaja Gorge area (which we have seen many times --but love it since there are four waterfalls to see along that gorge area).  This gorge is located between Franklin and Highlands.

After checking out all of the waterfalls in that area  we drove way way way back in the mountains south of Highlands searching for a new waterfall for us,  Secret Falls.    We took a nice hike back in the woods through a garden of Rhododendrons before finding Secret Falls.  Not too many people know about this waterfall --so we had the trail almost all to ourselves...  Had a gorgeous day for a hike in the woods,  and I did pretty good (after being so sick for a month)...

After that hike,  we headed to Laurelwood Inn,  checked in --and then went to a local Pizza place  (Slab Town Pizza) for dinner...  Great pizza and we recommend this place if you ever go to Cashiers.

Today I'll share pictures of our DAY in North Carolina... Hope you enjoy them.  You can click on them for enlargements...

Cullasaja Falls 

Quarry Falls (along the Cullasaja Gorge, NC)

Dry Falls (from an angle);   We've seen much more water coming over this waterfall and we've seen less.   BUT--we've never seen it DRY.... Until this trip,  we have been able to walk behind this waterfall.  BUT--they took away that option stating that there have been some falling rocks... We were disappointed --but glad not to get hit in the head by a falling rock!!!!

Bridal Veil Falls (along the Cullasaja Gorge);   We used to be able to actually drive behind the falls but they won't allow it anymore.  However,  you can walk behind the falls .  

Since we had never hiked to Secret Falls before,  we were glad to find the TRAIL in good shape.  As you can see,  there were a lot of leaves popping out on the big trees.  (We were almost into South Carolina in this area.) 

I loved the trail to Secret Falls...  There were lots and lots of beautiful Rhododendrons in that area...

Upper Secret Falls  (south of Highlands,  NC)

We took some pictures together with the tripod when we were at Upper Secret Falls.  I LOVED that area---and if you ever get there,  take a picnic lunch.  This is a perfect setting for a picnic --and maybe a NAP... ha

Secret Falls  (Photo by George);  I sat on the rocks at Upper Secret Falls while George hiked down a steep trail to get some pictures of the 'main' waterfall here.   Isn't this one a beauty?  Thanks,  Honey.

HA HA HA----What my man does when I shake my finger at him.... This was taken at Cullasaja Falls...

Thought you'd get a kick out of this last picture....  My sons all know about Mom's pointing finger!!!!!  AND--remember,  she's a LEFTY.    She's a 'mean one'.....ha ha .....

Hope you enjoyed reading about and seeing our FIRST day in North Carolina on 3/21/17....  We have two more days to share with you sometime...

Have a wonderful week.

Hugs,

Spring in Tennessee 3/24/17

FORTISSIMO DAFFODILS surrounded by PERIWINKLE

I took time this week to 'walk the yard'... It's the first time I have done it this year...  One doesn't realize how much beauty there is outside in Spring until he/she takes a camera and begins taking pictures... We have had a mild winter followed by a 3 day horrible freeze.  SO---until now,  we weren't sure when we would have anything blooming.

Because of the mild winter after a horrible drought all Fall,  most of our Crocuses,  Hyacinths and Daffodils  bloomed early.  Many of these little beauties got 'zapped' during the freeze....BUT--there are still quite a few Daffodils blooming now.    Daffodils are hearty little flowers and there are so many varieties.  Today I'll show you several different ones that are still showing off their beauty in our yard now.

BUT---Daffodils are not the only thing blooming.   Our Tulips are beginning to bloom and the ground cover,  Periwinkle,  is showing off its blue flowers... Hope you enjoy seeing some of the blooms in our yard... All of these pictures were taken on 3/24/17.

Here's an interesting point (showing how different one year can be to the next):  This time last year,  we had lots of Irises blooming now.  This year so far,  NONE.   AND,  this time last year,  our RedBud trees were blooming... This year,  nothing yet.  I think I mentioned before,  that the horrible drought really hurt the Forsythias in our area.. Some are trying to bloom a little this year,  but none are as pretty as they usually are...  At least,  they are alive. The drought also hurt many Rhododendrons --including ours... We have almost lost our big one (BOO HOO) and have lost one of our little ones totally we think...  BUT--life goes on!!!!  That's just part of Gardening --but not necessarily the part we like!

These are called GRAPE HYACINTHS --and are very small... Most people don't even see or notice them since they are tiny.... I love them though!!!

COLOSSAL DAFFODILS  (these are the typical and common yellow ones we all grew up with and love)

HYACINTH  blooms;  I wanted to show you the cute little Hyacinth blooms up close and personal.  Hyacinths are also small flowers --but oh so gorgeous!

DAD ADAMS DAFFODILS;  These little guys have my heart since George's Daddy gave them to us and they were among the first little flowers we planted when we moved here.

Our Pink PHLOX are blooming now and so pretty mixed in the the blue Periwinkle...   (The white Candy Tuft in that same bed hasn't bloomed yet this year.)

I love the colors of this pretty little Daffodil.  (I've seen several names for this one --so I won't even try to guess.)  I do like it though.

Love this Pink TULIP named  BRIGHT PINK LADY;  Right now,  this one is the only Tulip blooming in that bed... But--she doesn't seem to mind since she is so gorgeous.

Our ground cover,  the PERIWINKLE;   I always love their little blue flowers.

TAHITI Double DAFFODIL

PURISSIMA TULIP;  This one is a pale yellow with a darker yellow inside and in strips along the outside.  It is a gorgeous Tulip.

ACCENT DAFFODIL;  I love this pastel Daffodil with that pretty peachy trumpet.

FORTISSIMO  DAFFODIL  (one of the larger Daffodils in our yard)

My favorite group of Daffodils,  MT HOOD DAFFODILS;  These are almost white --with some yellow on the inside.

Hope you are having a good spring (or whatever season you are in now).  Spring is always a favorite of mine because I love seeing winter end and all of the greens pop out along with all of the beautiful colors...  It is so nice to see the freshness of Spring --after a drab winter!!!!   What is your favorite season?

Have a great week, my Friends...

Hugs,