Peaceful Paths Gentle Streams

 

 In Transylvania County North Carolina there are nearly three hundred waterfalls.  It’s pretty easy to find some impressive headlands and hear the thunder.  It is also easy, though not as popular, to find quiet trails to gentle sprays and sinuous twisting runs.  In the low water of October, even the giants display their gentler side. 

MOORE COVE FALLS IS JUST A VEIL OF WATERY LACE ….ALONG A TRAIL OF ADOLECENT GIANTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even Looking Glass Falls, just at the edge of the highway, is restrained –- meaning the blast of spray at the base does not chill you from a distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the North Slope Trail, Patty stops to repair a little damage from a tree fall and wonders about the Mother and child, dead on the same day in 1916.   Some accident??  The devastating Spanish Influenza??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday we set out on Gilligan's “Three Hour Tour”, a brief sortie to bag two little waterfalls in a mile and a half before lunch.  No need to bring the water, the snacks, the “10 Essentials” everyone should carry.  No NO NO. Well, we were on the right trail. hypnotized by all the stocked trout in shallow water near the hatchery, and we were walking beside the creek and we were walking the Cat Gap Loop trail  -- BACKWARDS.  As we know (and soon relearned) “Gap” trails go UP. and we did and did some more, but we eventually returned to see this beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS BEAUTY was NOT pleased to be hiking 4.5 miles in her cotton jeans with no provisions….but she said not a cross word.

Meanwhile,  adventurers Rowan, Tessa, June and Beatrice ages 9 years to 6 months were conquering JOHN ROCK –- JUST 5.5 miles and 1200 feet of elevation gain!!  Are these kids AWESOME??  Yes, the are!