Pink Lady Slipper growing near Deer Gap
Maple Hill Campground-- Trip #2--Camping with Gabriel
Hoodtown, Alpine Mountain and Deer Gap
Friday May 1 thru Sunday May 3, 2020
Kenny, Dana & Gabe Koogler
Pictures are here:
Hoodtown Pix
Friday
We had planned on taking Gabriel camping the first weekend we went out. The weather forecast was questionable so we decided to wait. It worked out really great thanks to Ken Edenfield and Maple Hill Campground. They worked out an affordable deal with us where we could leave our camper over there for the week. We turned around and went back with Gabe the next weekend! He was beyond excited. The first time we had him camping there he was very small. He got upset and could not understand the concept of sleeping in the camper. He thought camping was a game for the day. He wanted to go home to his own bed at night. We wondered how this trip would go? He did want me to sleep with him each night, but he did great. He loved the trip. Maple Hill got a five star rating from him. I heard him telling Kenny on Sunday "We will just stay here forever!" Kenny had to break it to him that we HAD to go home. He responded "NO!" I couldn't hear the rest of their dispute, but that was a wonderful turn around from the previous trip.
We arrived at Maple Hill just before lunch on Friday. By the time we'd gotten set up and had lunch we had half day to do something fun. We needed to pick something that would not mean another long drive in the truck. We went to Hoodtown to see the overlook and the falls.
Gabriel was very wound up. He was satisfied as soon as he was able to get out and stir around. It was a perfect day. Blue skies and a cool breeze and warm sunshine. We headed down the trail on the RZR. We soon came to the overlook. It was a nice clear view across the gulf.
Above: View out over the gulf below...
We left the overlook and continued down into the bottom of the gulf.
The road was always rough, but the recent logging aftermath coupled with heavy rains have it worse than ever. It will soon be impassable and it is not likely to be fixed. Deep trenches in red dirt several feet deep were what we encountered. The first dealing with this road it had one bad spot and that was a serious rock outcropping that had to be negotiated. It at least had a work around. The work around trail is still there, but while it helps with that one bad spot.. it can't help with the even worse places you'll run into.
We parked at the bottom and walked the rest of the way to the falls. It was a short hike from here. It helps motivate Gabe to hike if he believes he is showing me how to do it.
Gabe straddling a log across the path to the falls.
Take my picture sitting on this rock, Nanny!
Massive boulder and one cute little boy.
Papaw is the best!
Xanadu Falls was roaring today! Most water we'd ever seen coming over it. The water pools up, flows back into a cave, and a pit!
Glimpse of beautiful blue skies in the background.
A side shot of the falls. Love the layered rock.
We enjoyed the falls and the cool spray off of them. Then we marched back to the RZR.
We went on over to the river to see how the water levels were. Very high and running fast. We'd never tried coming in from this end of the gorge when the water was too high to ford here.
East Fork River at high water levels. 
We went on over to the river to see how the water levels were. Very high and running fast. We'd never tried coming in from this end of the gorge when the water was too high to ford here.
We stopped by the river for a drink and a snack. Gabe had to draw in the sand and throw some rocks with Papaw. We then began our trip back up out of the gulf. The sun shining in the windows, the gentle breeze, being snuggled in between Nanny and Papaw... Little Gabriel fell asleep and slept right through all the rough, bumpy trip up to the top! He was still asleep when we got back to the truck. We sat looking at how peaceful he was, but he soon woke and was raring to go after his power nap.
Saturday
We got up Saturday and decided to take Gabe and head to Alpine Mountain.
We figured we'd explore up there and show him the spooky old house site and the ponds, and he could play in the shallow creeks up there. We arrived in Alpine and parked at the old gym building. We arrived to find numerous other riders and people there! The day was warm and sunny and perfect. Honestly it was wonderful to see other smiling faces. We visited with people a long time.
Gabe grew restless to get going so I took him across the grounds to the swing set at the church. He played on the swings and slide awhile and with some energy burned off was ready to head back. We talked to a couple folks who knew a lot about the mountain. We hoped we'd find the Bigfoot Overlook. We set off to find it and possibly ride with them some today. On our way up the mountain Gabe was sitting on Kenny's lap "driving". A cow was out and ran up the road in front of us. It was hilarious. We play a driving game at home.. and Gabe wants us to make up a story like "ah! watch out! There's a cow in the road!" so when it really happened he fell out laughing!
Above: Heifer in the road trotting up in front of us.
We got up to the top of the mountain and after a short while Gabriel was ready to eat again. We stopped at a likely spot to pull over and have lunch.
I brought the Pocket Rocket camp stove. I fixed him up some Ramen Noodles and he ate like a horse. We failed to find the overlook, but we did see loads of beautiful scenery and partial views off the mountain. We encountered numerous other groups of nice people out riding today. It was like a party. We found some trails that were like a big red dirt rollercoaster! That part was exciting and fun.
Eventually we all got frustrated at not finding our hoped for overlook. We just headed round the mountain. Down the back toward Conatser Lane. It was rough, but not as bad as last weekend. Gabe dozed off for his nap with a full tummy.
About the time we arrived at the first nice creek to play in he woke up. He must not have gotten his nap out because he cried and did not want to play in the creek. Instead he fussed and wanted Kenny to hold him.
Beautiful little spring branch flowing down the mountain
Above: Trail here was flat as a fritter.
We went on toward the pretty spring pond and hoped he'd settle down. He did get in better spirits and more awake. Once we arrived there he loved the sight of the pond and all the nice blue water. He liked the frogs singing and hopping.
We went on toward the pretty spring pond and hoped he'd settle down. He did get in better spirits and more awake. Once we arrived there he loved the sight of the pond and all the nice blue water. He liked the frogs singing and hopping.
Below is a very short video of the pond. You can hear the water flowing, birds chirping and frogs croaking.. and Gabe's voice echoing in this holler.
The pond had even more water in it this Spring than last year. The water flows out one end, down the trail and down the mountain forming a lovely cascade.
Gabe took time to throw rocks and play. We carefully picked our way down the slope to check out the cascade up close.
Below is a video of the little cascade
We were growing tired so we moved on to the "spooky" old house ruins.
We took time to check that out very carefully. Thankfully we did not see any snakes today.
We finally wrapped up our explorations and headed back to the truck.
The cow was STILL out. Back at the church Gabe and I grabbed something to drink and headed to the swings for round two. He wore himself out running and playing. Christ Church Presbyterian is one of the all around prettiest churches I've ever seen. Kenny put some things away and got a drink. He kept the RZR out because he wanted to do one more thing.
We walked back across the field and met Kenny. We piled in the RZR and went up to the top of Linder Mountain where the Pilot Lookout Tower was supposed to be. We passed Nettlecarrier Creek and Means Creek. Up top we found no tower, but the anchoring foundations from two different towers! The first one was a three legged deal and the second one had four legs and stairs in the middle.
Below: sand and rocks and Gabe
Pebbly banks of Means Creek
We went back to the campus parking lot behind the old gymnasium and loaded up to return to the campground. We got back and we were all sweaty and dirty.
We had not even gone in the camper yet when a bald headed smiling man yelled a greeting at us across the campground. He waved and hollered "It's me! Zach!". Kenny's co worker had phoned before we left for the day to get advice about places to camp. Lo and behold.. he found us and brought his whole family and two other co workers to camp. They brought five dogs between them! We had us a good time. The kids played together and were very sweet. The only dog that was out to play was Murray's dog Leo. He is a collie and very soft and affectionate. We visited and talked with them. Met their wives and kids.. we had a good time.
We visited with friends and played around until it was late and we were way past supper time. We fixed a quick bite for us and then went to sit outside in the nice evening air. We slept like rocks that night especially Gabe from being so tired. He played hard! We had invited the rest of the gang to join us Sunday after breakfast to hike. They agreed.
Sunday
We woke up and fixed breakfast and prepared to go hiking. We took our time so as not to rush Zach and Co. We were to go home later today so we had to again pick something close by. Zach had a problem having bent the hitch on his truck/trailer rig. They ended up not going with us. We went down to Clark Range to hike to Deer Gap Falls.
Gabe was not too sure about it. Papaw had to carry him a little bit.
The hike is a little over half mile one way. Once we got to the creek we had to ford. Once across we went up the hill and saw some pretty pink lady slippers and a marvelous view!
We walked over to the crack in the rocks you have to go down through to reach the base of the falls. It is a four drop waterfall and it is impossible to see the entire thing in one spot. It is a couple hundred feet from top to bottom. Gabe did great with the crack in the rocks. He sat down on his butt to scoot because the leaves in there were slick!
Climbing through the crack in the rocks
Down the steep mountainside we went til we came around the bend to the waterfall! It was running pretty good today! Everything was nice and green and cool down here. We saw a few wildflowers, a toad, and a frog!
We finally wrapped up our visit at the falls and headed back to the campground. We were surprised to find when we got back that Zach and the rest of the crew were already gone! We ate lunch then packed up our stuff. Before we left we visited with Ken Edenfield the owner of the campground. We also met a cute puppy and one of the puppy's family members.. Cane. The puppy is Gypsy.. a white pit bull puppy! Gabe and Gypsy played for a long time.
Finally despite Gabe's protesting we had to leave for home. It is always fun at Maple Hill. It is always better to have such a good time you hate the thoughts of going home rather than a bad experience where you can't wait to leave!
Below is a video of Deer Gap Falls
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy hearing from those who read & make use of my blog. I have made some wonderful friendships through emails from readers. I respond to all comments and emails. I appreciate folks reaching out to let me know when my blog entries are not functioning correctly or if the situation somewhere has changed. Many Blessings to you!
Dana 🐝