We had been wanting to take our little grandson Michael out to visit
Rhododendron Creek in the Smokies. He had asked Pawpaw after preachin
on Sunday what we were doing? Pawpaw answered "going for a walk". He burst
into tears saying "I want to go!". He was highly put out that he had not been informed in advance and asked to go. We got the tears dried up and assured him
he was more than welcome to go along! We ate a bite of lunch and packed some snacks to take and some toys. We hit the road.
The drive for us is 45 minutes to an hour to Pittman Center depending on traffic in Gatlinburg. We soon arrived at the Greenbrier section of the Smokies.
We hit the trail letting him lead us. He had to check out everything and speak to folks. We had to stop at the first crossing to sit down and play in the creek.
Michael plays with toys in the creek. There was playing with water, rocks, dirt and sticks!
Teaching Pawpaw how to do it. I was the creek wader in the family as a kid.
Me and Valerie were out in the creek A LOT as kids. I was in trouble all the time
for wading the creek or stomping around in the mud wearing my good church clothes
and shoes. To ME patent leather shoes were just as good as the next type shoe for wading in the water. I did not discriminate! See? Now you know there was no way
in this world I was going to be a Tupperware wife.
I know that posture well. "Just a little bit further out here...." Michael has way more self control than I did. I'd have been IN the water wallering at that age. It is not too cold.
Cheesing for the camera! One of numerous beautiful cascades along the stream.
We visited some of the cascades along the trail. We made it about 3/4 of a mile before he was ready to head back. He talked about bears and snakes and bats and whats over there and were we lost? We hiked 1.5 miles total. We sat on the tailgate and ate snacks.
Watched the evening turn dusky. We headed home and I could tell he was going to sleep good tonight. Fresh air and sunshine and beautiful sights make for good dreams and peaceful sleep. I am thankful for my recovery and my grandson and husband.
Sunday afternoon we were sitting around complaining so I said we needed
to get out of the house. I needed to work on my exercise and rehab program.
I suggested we hike to the Avent Cabin in the Smokies. So that is what we did.
It was my first hike in the Smokies since getting out the hospital.
We hiked out Jakes Creek Trail and then dropped off the side down a manway to reach this cabin. It is real pretty and secluded. It was a fun hike and not too hard. We had overcast weather, but no rain and it was not real cold. The uneven ground was a challenge for me. I had to have lots of help. I need to remember to bring my trekking poles always. I need them more than ever now.
Hearth inside the cabin.
Front porch on the cabin.
Above are the foot log across Jakes Creek to the cabin and the creek itself.
I had a good leg stretcher and got some fresh air. We both enjoyed the time outdoors.
I appreciate Kenny's patience with me as I recuperate. I am getting better, but my vision continues to be abnormal. It is getting better gradually. I still have balance to work on.
My gait is not normal on uneven ground, but practice will help.
I stood there on the foot log across the creek and soaked it in. It was not wasted on me how beautiful the place is. I feel very grateful to be able to get out and do this again.
Thanks be to God!
**Edited to add-- while I was grateful to be out I did not tell what I really acted like. I'm not sure why. It was so bad trying to walk on that uneven ground I cried. It was nauseating, but I pushed on through it and did it. Feel the pain and the fear and do it anyway. ** added 4/6/2021
**Another blog entry damaged by using Flickr free photo account. I am repairing this blog entry and will not delete it, but I may have lost some of the photos for good. If I have lost my pictures of Panther Creek Falls it will be an excuse to borrow Andy's canoe and re-do this trip. **
Kenny and I decided to spend our anniversary tackling an off trail adventure we'd attempted about several years ago and did not complete. We wanted to find Panther Creek Falls in the far back country of the western side of the Smokies. We packed our gear including kayaks and set out Saturday morning. It was a rather impromptu trip so we got a late start.
We enjoyed the drive down Foothills Parkway west from the house. The Autumn colors were still peak there! The views were lovely. We soon arrived at the put in point for the kayak portion of our journey at the mouth of Abrams Creek. It joins Chilhowee Lake here. We put in and paddled upstream. We saw two men ahead of us who were also kayaking. I could not help hoping they did not have the same plans as us? I did not have to wonder long. They continued ahead up Abrams Creek while we hung a right and paddled back Panther Creek. The lake looked black and glassy and mirrored the stunning Autumn leaves and the sky today. It was a perfect day for this trip. It was supposed to be clear and sunny and warm up to about sixty nine degrees. The water smelled fresh and clean and the lake was very quiet. The sun was up but the bottoms of the hollers we paddled and walked today spend much of the time in deepest gloom because of the forest cover and high cliffs. It can create a sense of foreboding.
Dark as a Jericho Mile down in them hollers!
We beached our kayaks on the beginnings of an old road bed that was used in the past for slate mining and logging. We'd have to pass the slate mines on our trip today. Lots of history in this part of the park that is far less visited than some others. The stream was quiet and pretty. Some of the trees had shed their leaves, but the beech trees and sourwood trees and maples still sported bright gold, copper and orange leaves. We donned our backpacks and trekking poles and set out on foot from this point. We did not have to go far until we met with our first creek ford. It was a rock hop. We could not recall if this trip had many creek crossings? We gambled on doing with one trekking pole each and left our water shoes in the truck. Recreational kayaks don't fit lots of gear with the paddler.
We hoped we would not deeply regret our choice, but we figured we'd manage.
Approaching the old road bed that leads up Panther Creek
Panther Creek is very scenic most of the way. Kenny and I both remarked we had forgotten just how pretty it was. It is a series of cascades, deep clear pools of blue-green, pot holes and jumbled boulders. We had not gone far when we could hear the roar of Garner Falls. It is a small waterfall and hard to get a shot of. It clings to the far right hand of the rock it cascades over. The terrain around it makes it difficult to view from the trail.
The plunge pool is more dramatic than the falls. It is deep and would make a good swimming hole. I expect from our past experience with it any season warm enough to enjoy swimming would find it clogged with snakes. We were here in March last time and found a couple snakes near this falls even as cool as it was!
We kept moving since we had a lot of territory to cover. We made our way upstream
and it was surprising how many things came back to mind from the previous trip. We could find exactly the spot where the wild hogs got after us. I had remarked that as many mud holes as I was seeing it was a wonder we had not run into any hogs. About that time here came a whole passel of shoats! I went to hollering "Pigs! Where's the mama? Where's the mama?" I just knew we'd get eaten up by a sow! But they were big enough to be on their own. We forded a couple more times. I looked up and saw some rusty metal artifacts. A closer look showed we had arrived at the halfway point in our trip today. Before us lay lots of rusty metal and slate blocks. They used this old rail line and cars to haul the slate out. The blocks were used to build some of the structures in the National Park including Park Headquarters at Sugarlands.
Getting out of the kayaks and getting read to hike from here
Old rail car used to haul slate blocks out from the mine site.
We were following the old road bed used for mining in the past as we made our way further into the back country. It was often filled with so much downfall and rhododendron it disappeared outright or was impassable. Many years of off trail hiking have smartened us up a little. Keep the old trace in sight but go around it. You have to be careful to avoid giving in too much to the "urge to go around" when off trail hiking.
The new Garmin GPS today was invaluable in helping us at least know which general direction to head. It delights me beyond measure to see how we've both gotten really good at orienting topo maps with the real lay of the land. It feels great to be able to say "Ok, this is the big ridge coming in from the left". It is rather surreal to me.
At some point on our hike this day I had a feeling of "finding treasure" envelope me.
I knew that I was living a recurring dream I have from time to time. I had felt the dream was not of a real place, but today I recognized it! Here was a photo from that moment.
Panther Creek viewed from above on the old manway.
Photos don't capture the emotional tone of such moments of joy.
One of my favorite trails in the Smokies is Goshen Prong. It is flat and follows
along above the stream with vistas like the one shown above. The rock forms are dramatic. Panther Creek Manway is like that only after the tornado it is in far better
condition than Goshen Prong which is supposed to be a maintained trail. Before I get too gushy I will remind myself there were ugly parts of rhododendron swimming and butts hanging out in space over cliffs whilst we clung to fallen trees in order to proceed.
**Photo lost here**
Trail? What trail? This is actually not that bad. The bad parts are to the point I can't get the camera out.
We came to one creek ford that was marked with two rock cairns. There was another ford beyond that unmarked, but a no brainer. The cliff on the left was sheer! We later saw some old cable and metal in the woods. We saw one more rail from the abandoned dinky line.
We got across the creek and pushed higher into the steepening drainage. We had not gone much further when I could hear the falls! Kenny called me down to where he stood and we could get a glimpse of it. Getting down to it from here was going to be rough.
The falls was surrounded on all sides by thick rhododendron and rocky cliffs. I could see the way down, but Kenny did not want to follow me. He finally came to the conclusion it was the only way which it was. We got in the drainage where a spring seep flowed down to join Panther Creek. It was slick and mossy and rocky. I finally just sat down and scooted. Better muddy, wet and dirty than injured. The only thing hurt today might be my pride. I also gave up on the idea of staying dry. I just got IN the creek and waded.
I was up to my knees in water. I made my way up to the falls this way. Kenny managed to cling to the rhodo and go through it in places.
Before us was Panther Creek Falls at last!
Panther Creek Falls Video As I have lost the photos of it. :-(
The terrain above the falls flattened out, but in order to reach it you'd have to get in and swim across the plunge pool. The walls on the sides are rocky and crowded with rhododendron and other vegetation. There may be more cascades above here, but we'll have to explore that another trip with an early start and a longer day!
While this falls is certainly not the largest we've ever visited or even the prettiest it was one of the more rewarding trips. Finding it was a challenge. We had to work together!
We're a good team. Its something we both enjoyed very much. We did not linger here much since we had about 2 hours of daylight left to get back out.
We made it out in far less time. We got out in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
We even had time to sit down on some logs near the kayaks and eat a leisurely snack.
Kenny was foot sore and glad to be back in the kayaks and off his poor feet.
We paddled out taking our time since now we should have no problem getting back to the truck before dark. We did encounter a couple boats on the way out. The first was a man and his son fishing. They stopped and waited for us to pass to avoid capsizing us with their wake. The second boat was SAR and they were flying by. Kenny yelled for me to turn the kayak INTO their wake. Timely advice for it probably kept me from turning over. Once that was done I had time to relax and caught a few photos of the setting sun and fiery leaves as we neared the take out point. What a wonderful day!
Fiery red leaves in the setting sun on Abrams Creek
I was in serious need of some time outdoors so I planned on Monday to get out and hike to see the Barnett Knob Fire Tower. I
also planned to enjoy the views and Fall wildflowers and lunch at Balsam Mountain Picnic area. I would then head back to Smokemont
and hike to Chasteen Creek Cascade. A good days outing, but nothing
too extreme.
The day was gorgeously clear with temperatures in the sixties in the higher elevations. I was blessed with sunshine, fresh air, and grand stand views. Traffic was not too bad on a random Monday.
I quickly found the turn off road for Barnett Fire Tower.
I parked and grabbed my gear and headed up there. It was an easy hike and simple to find. The fire tower was still standing including the old watchman's cabin. I went inside the cabin and prowled around. The tower was manned and used until 2004 according to Peter Barr's book. It was the most modern watchman's cabin I'd ever seen. Cowee Bald Tower is also very modern, but this one during the time it was used would have been the one to get my vote for "Most Comforts of Home".
Watchman's Cabin at Barnett Knob--I found it still standing & unlocked.
Barnett Knob Tower
I climbed up in the tower itself and enjoyed the views. I'd picked the perfect day for this sort of trip. It was very clear and the air smelled great. It was cooling off and I could sense the gradual approach of Fall. I could see the Smoky Mountains, the Plott Balsams, Mt. Noble and its tower in the distance. I could see the privy down below. I had not been able to see it until I climbed up.
My favorite view from Barnett Knob Tower taken from between the legs. I found the cab pad locked. Looks as though it is still being used to gather weather info.
I found a heater on in the cabin and it was cherry red hot. It was in the ceiling of the bathroom. I found a switch and tried to turn it off. Eventually it did go cold, but I
could not tell if the switch turned it off or if it was set to cycle? I wrote to Peter Barr about it to see if he had any answers. Hot as it was I'd feared it would burn down the hut! I am waiting to see if I hear from him.
I hiked back down to the jeep and proceeded out to Balsam Mountain.
The drive along the parkway was great. My thermometer registered 59 degrees by the time I stopped for lunch. I enjoyed the goldenrod, gentian, asters and other flowers along the way. I began to feel poorly so I stopped to eat and rest. I've been struggling with an illness that has made its way through my family for a month now. I'd wakened feeling pretty good and believed I might finally be over it. Now the fever, chills, body aches and cough returned full force. Ever the stubborn mule that I am.. I was not going to be so easily outdone. I popped a couple tylenol tabs, ate lunch, took some deep breaths, and rested. I figured "Shoot! I'll get this temperature and chills beat back and ride on out to Smokemont. I'll certainly feel like hiking once I get there." That is what I told myself.
I headed to Smokemont and continued to tell myself I was fine.
I got out my hiking guide for a quick glance at the directions to Chasteen Creek Cascade.
I'd hiked to this falls before and found it very easy. I sat there looking at the directions and the reality of my situation confronted me. I was SICK. Really sick. It was not going away. I was getting worse. It was going to take everything I had to drive home. No one was there to call to come meet me. I had to fix this myself. I backed out of there and began heading home. The drive seemed like it took forever because of the misery I was in. I finally made it and boy was I pleased to be home.
I started some antibiotics right away and went back and forth from the bed to the couch. My day didn't go as planned, but I got out for a little bit. I'm feeling better today. The chills, fever, body aches and cough are gone. Thank the Lord for that!
View from Mile High Overlook
Below is a short video of climbing the fire tower.
(these images are not from that trip linked above, but I lost many of the original photos thanks to Facebook)
I had a bad experience with trying to take Obey hiking this particular week. I wanted to take him with me hiking to the woods and figured he'd be all about it. Instead he ate my seat belt in the jeep and was a general pain. I decided to go to the Smokies which I often don't because he is not welcome there. I was put out with his behavior so he was not welcome to come along with me anyhow. I took a notion I wanted to hike Little River Trail up to Goshen Prong Cascades. I had this vague feeling that I had perhaps bitten off more than I could chew hiking distance wise, but I ignored it. I had done it before and it was fine. I hiked it then in ninety-five degree weather. I'd done it before in Autumn so I knew I'd be ok.
I wanted to see how bad the trails were damaged after the huge wind storm July 5th, 2012. I got an early start so I didn't see anyone on the trail except a ranger on the way in. I talked to him about the trail conditions and he said that the Little River Trail was in fine shape. He went on to say that Goshen Prong while closed to use was worst from CS 23 up to the Appalachian Trail. I told him I planned to hike up Goshen Prong Trail just as far as the cascades and double back.
It seemed like no time at all and I was already at Huskey Branch Cascade.
It was gushing today and the swimming hole in the river below it was beautiful.
Above: Huskey Branch Cascade Below is a video of Huskey Branch Cascade Below: Huskey Branch Cascade flows beneath a bridge and into Little River.
Below: Swimming Hole in Little River @ Huskey Branch Cascade
Goshen Prong --one of a series of low sliding cascades
Below is a video that illustrates the trail damage on Goshen Prong after the derecho.
I continued on up the trail and finally arrived at the junction with Goshen Prong Trail. I sat down and ate my lunch and rested. I continued down this trail and started seeing downed trees just before the metal "Goshen Gate Bridge". Nothing too bad. Easy to step through or around thus far. I saw some turks cap lilies also. Pale jewelweed bloomed along the trail. It was not long til I started seeing an increase in the amount and scope of trail damage. Downed trees were everywhere and the further into the back country I went the worse it grew.
At one point the downed trees were almost entirely covering the stream. It made me feel a little sad since this is one of my favorite trails. I hoped the cascades would not be completely clogged with trees?
Goshen Gate Bridge-- All hikers in this area should be VERY glad for this bridge. Goshen Prong is not a stream crossing to be trifled with. It is a wide, deep stream that would be dangerous to cross when the water is up. Goshen Prong Trail--I never saw another soul on this trail today.
Goshen Prong Cascades--there are several along this trail. Ledge type cascades. The last one is heading up to the A.T. past the campsite.
Below is a video of Goshen Prong Cascade
Turks Cap Lily along Goshen Prong Trail. Goshen Prong
I struggled my way through the downed trees and made it to the cascades. I was able to take photos and video of them, but there were a couple downed trees in the way. Not as bad as it could have been, but still torn up. It is going to be a long time until this mess is cleared and this trail and campsite are reopened is my opinion. It gave me a slightly bad vibe. I didn't tarry long. I turned and headed back. I knew what was facing me in dealing with the trees again and the long hike back out.
I saw lots of folks on my way out. I ran into Ranger Kim DeLozier who surprised me that he remembered me from a previous meeting. We all got rained on seriously! It rained on my way back out and how. I put on my rain jacket. I did not bring the rain pants as it was warm. I found that my rain coat turned into a funnel sending all the water to my crotch. I tuned out the discomfort and continued on. I remembered that I had a dry change of clothes in the jeep. I had fresh dry clothes and shoes. I had snacks and cold drinks for the ride home. I could hang on til then. The sun came out and started drying things off a little bit before I made it back to the jeep. I was tired, stinky, muddy, bark and leaves in my hair which now looked like a Gorgon. Blonde snakes! Every piece of hair has a mind of its own.
I got back to the jeep and found the parking area polluted with people. I opened that vehicle up. Stowed my gear. Got out my dry clothes. Shucked off the wet, dirty ones. Threw them in the back. I stood there butt nekkid with that wild wooly head and gave everyone around me a HARD LOOK daring them to say a word. I put on my dry duds and sighed. I climbed in and ate a snack. I drank a cold drink. I drove home listening to some excellent tunes. Sometimes it pays to be "Nell". Tay hey in da wi-hin! Last of all is a video of the beautiful sparkling clear Little River
I had been wanting to get back over to Balsam Mountain in the Smokies for awhile now. I knew the purple fringed orchids had to be peak bloom. All wildflowers and flowering shrubs are about a month ahead of schedule so I knew if I was going I better make smoke!
I was bound and determined to make it to the base of Flat Creek Falls this time. A couple years back my friend Maggie and I hiked here. We had a wonderful day's outing, but did not make it to the base of the falls. We were both disappointed. I was especially disappointed since I had been before and felt I should be able to recall the way down. It had been a decade since I went the first time with Kenny. We made it to the bottom then.
Flat Creek Falls is seldom visited because of its location. It is in a part of the National Park that receives far less use than all the other areas. It has a trail that takes you to the vicinity. It has a manway that leads to the top of the falls. After that you're on your own.
Guidebooks describe there being a view of it from the road in Winter. The waterfall guidebook for the park also says bluntly there is no way to the base. It goes on to say that the track to the left is NOT A PATH! And it is true and a good warning. Heading downstream there is a track that continues and you can see where others have tried it.
It is a rocky crevice and slick. Almost perpetually wet. It does not lead to the base. Having tried that twice before I speak from experience.
I drove over to the trail head today and enjoyed the beauty of the scenery on my drive.
The Carolina rhododendron was in bloom along the main highway. Saw lots of mountain laurel, flame azaleas, rosebay rhodo, catawba rhodos all blooming at once! The day was clearing off and promised to be gorgeous. I stopped along the main road once to take photos of a mass of columbines blooming there. It was quite pretty. I arrived at the trail and parked. Not a soul around. I had the place to myself!
Foggy Day on the Blue Ridge Parkway but the mountain laurel and azaleas did not seem to mind!
Roadside lined with wild columbine blooms.
The Flat Creek Falls Trail is beautiful and runs through a boreal forest high in the mountains. It is always lush and green and very little used. Today it had been freshly maintained and was extra nice. It smelled good enough to eat! Citrusy smelling and clean of pines and damp earth. The tread was soft under foot and most of the path is in deep gloom. Mountain laurel bloomed along the path and here and there mushrooms could be seen springing up yellow, brown and orange.
Flat Creek Trail Flat Creek Trail in the shadow with just a little sun coming through.
I enjoyed the beauty and ease of hiking the trail while I could. The woods smelled so wonderfully fresh today. The temperature was a balmy 65 degrees. Perfect hiking weather! Sunny skies. Before I knew it I was on the manway portion of the hike. A grassy, overgrown snarl that is narrow and goes over fallen logs. Last time here grass and briers were up over our knees! Today was not as bad. At least I could see my feet most of the time. I quickly came to the top of the falls. Standing facing downstream there is something that appears to be a path, but it is not. It is merely a rocky track where folks have tried to climb down only to be forced to turn around and perhaps struggle back up it. It is always slick and dangerous. I crossed the creek at a cascade. No path from now on.
Once across the stream I picked my way up higher in the drainage and wound through rhododendron, dog hobble, briers, over fallen logs, around boulders always heading downstream. I got to a point where I knew I was past the initial drop of the falls and things opened up a little. The going was still slick, but not as bad. I was able to see the first drop of the falls. I sat down on a rock to enjoy the view and rest. Bushwhacking! No Trail!
First drop of Flat Creek Falls. You can see where it gets its name!
I worked my way down gradually and from here it was actually not as bad. Just being able to not have to swim through rhododendron was great! I picked my way down the slope and got right over against the stream and took in the falls from as many different vantage points as I liked! It is an impressive sight and I was pleased to have the place totally to myself! I managed to make it to the base of the falls. I was so thrilled. I had wondered if I'd ever stand there again. I savoured the spot. I got right in the creek. I sat down and ate my lunch in the creek. It was just absolute Nirvana to me. Flat Creek Falls from the base.
Beyond here the stream splintered into many smaller streams and widened out. It no longer had the benefit of the rocky channel to help turn it into a waterfall. It was running beneath boulders and down Bunches Bald. I decided against trying to go further. I figured it probably was not worth it. I knew I had to save some energy to get my butt back up the mountain and out. I finished my lunch. I filtered some water to replenish my supply and I began my ascent back out.
I had one brief Uh-Oh moment. I was not lost. I knew exactly where I was. I just had to cipher how I was going to get from where I was back to where I needed to be. I spent a few minutes in the rhodo trying to decide should I work my way back closer to the stream or go higher into the drainage? Going higher meant traveling further and possibly still not making my traverse any easier. Going lower meant a possibly shorter route and perhaps easier, but also more dangerous. Potentially more slippery. Potentially getting too close to the falls upper rim to be safe navigating around it. I'd done that bit before at Big Falls and really didn't want to tempt fate. I was having such a rough go in the brush that I decided to dance a little closer to the edge. I'd risk the fall rather than the rhodo. I finally decided since I was sweat soaked and drowned anyway.. I"d just GET IN THE CREEK! Traveling off trail reduces you from miles per hour to hours per mile!
The creek was filled with cascades. They were covered in dark green moss like carpet. This helped my travel considerably and I was tickled about my choice. Until I realized I did not recognize anything around me. I had missed the cascade I came down to to start. Ok so I'm not lost. I'm still standing in Flat Creek in the Smokies. The trail is here I just have to find it. I swallowed down that feeling of panic and looked around. The stream goes down the mountain. I need to go UP the mountain so follow the stream. The trail will be along the stream on my right. I went a few steps more and saw above me a level area. I just climbed out of the creek and went up the bank to the grassy, overgrown manway. I was never more tickled to see that tall, snakey grass and briers. Oh well, a little trail confusion is part of it. I sat down and rested and mopped the sweat away. Halleluyer! I was going to be ok.
Trail Confusion will make your head spin!
I got back to the jeep and was tickled to change clothes. A van was parked there. A man got out and started messing with his camera and hiking stuff in the back of it. I put my stuff away. Got out my dry clothes. Kept an eye on him. He wisely and politely averted his gaze while I changed. I opened both jeep doors and stood between them to shuck off the wet and muddy in favor of the clean and dry and comfortable. I had leaves and sticks stuck in my hair and to my body. I just wore that the rest of the day. It really scares people and how often do I really get to rock that look? Not often enough! I was covered in black mud smudged on my face and legs. My nails were caked in black mud though I had washed my hands in the creek before coming back. A woman's gotta eat a peck of dirt before she dies anyway.
I set to work photographing purple fringed orchids which were found all along the Heintooga Road! I just left the vehicle there and set out on foot walking with only my camera and keys. Purple Fringed Orchid with bumblebee.
The orchids were peak bloom and I saw lots of them. I'd say about 200 total today. They were growing on both sides of the road. More than I'd seen in previous years! I saw a few people pass by in cars, but not many. The guy in the van left to parts unknown. No one bothered me. I was free as a bird. I decided to drive the Straight Fork Road today to see if the wildflowers were pretty along it? I did see one more purple fringed orchid, but that was it. The road had partial views, deep gloom, and I only saw three vehicles on it total from start to finish. I saw lots of bright red fire pinks, bold yellow primroses, orange and yellow flame azaleas, milkweed, mountain laurel in white and pink, rosebay rhododendron, and deep blue spiderwort. I passed by the trail head for CS 42. Now that is a place to go! It is so high up there that if you go up there with the right person and you can see God! How do I know this? I've done it.
I listened to some great tunes on my iPod and listened to the quiet. I took in the sights all along the lonely road. I confirmed that there IS a waterfall coming off Ledge Bald. It's a nice one too! Perhaps sometime I'll get back to visit that and photograph it. I was running out of steam and had a long drive home yet. I saw a turkey hen and her brood of chicks. I saw a ruffed grouse. I saw a downy woodpecker. I also saw an elk in full velvet! Deep gloom of Straight Fork Road at middday.
One open vantage point along Straight Fork.. the Heintooga Overlook.
I had seen both main things I came to see. The falls. The purple orchids. And so much more! I soaked up enough beauty & peace to hold me for awhile. I drove my weary self home and slept like the dead.
