Catawba Falls

On a whim we set off to Catawba Falls this morning. Nobody (!) had anything pressing to do, and the weather was great (sunny and 50o). We had been a couple of years ago, but I don't think we made it to the very top. At least I don't remember getting there; Libby is pretty certain we did.  No matter: we did today. The parking area has definitely been improved since we were there last: nicely gravelled and good signage.  We set off.

We stayed on the south bank until we got to the old mill (easy as pie). There is a tree log with a handrail that serves as a bridge. From there it was still pretty easy. Even Calvin had no trouble. We got to the spot where I remember us bagging it last time, where a stream crosses the trail (excellent for dogs) and meets the river below. Nice fall-like features and fairly closely confined. One can scamper up the creekside and get a taste of what's coming later on the trail. Today we kept going though.

The summit was very nice. We passed by the old dam and everyone had a blast crawling over all the rocks and trees. We didn't linger too long at the top, as it was lunch time, and we still had our descent to make. We stopped again at the stream-crossing, this time to explore the big rocks below the trail. The boys found a "cave" that was a big hit.

We decided to forego fastfood and go for lunch at an eatery (The Rail Restaurant) in Old Fort. Libby had eaten there last summer and said it would suit just fine. Meh. They got her order wrong, messed up Briggs' burger and left my sandwich under the salamander too long. And it took a little too long given we were the only folks there.

After lunch we cruised Old Fort and drifted toward the Davidson Fort. Everyone but me got out to explore. They got a very earnest lecture from a guy working on the roof of the place. He imparted, Libby is sure, everything he knows about the site. But all in all everyone enjoyed it.

Calvin's birthday

Calvin turned five last week. Talk around here was, "now you're a whole hand," meaning he wasn't just 2- or 3- or 4-fingers on one hand, he was all five fingers. The boys didn't grasp the full meaning when I said that meant he "was a handful."

We had cake and ice cream on the evening of his birthday. I let my rehearsal go early so I could get home and see the fun. By the time I got here, the presents were all opened. I asked Calvin if I could have a cupcake. He said, "No."

In keeping with tradition his birthday spread over a few days. So a couple of days later on last Friday we went to see a monster truck show as part of his birthday celebration. Eli had gone to a show in Richmond in the downtown coliseum. Briggs had never been before; neither had Calvin. I was prepared to this event to be not as cool as the one in Richmond. The arena just wasn't large enough for a full-scale show. The trucks could go about 50 feet before they had to slam on brakes to keep from running into anything. They raced mini-monster trucks (oh, the irony)  and ATVs. But the big trucks were too big to do laps in this arena. So it was not all that exciting. Calvin (and the other brothers) were ready to go by intermission.

Granny came over on Sunday evening with her presents for Calvin (and Libby), thus extending the celebration even more.