The day I fell in

This was December 2015. I took Briggs and Calvin to Cawtawba Falls, which is near us in Old Fort. I seem to recall it was a fairly warm day. We were all wearing shorts. We had a great time and made it all the way to the top of the falls. We had exercised caution on the way up when we had to cross the creek: uneventful. Not the case coming down. I slipped on a rock and the left side of my whole body landed in the creek. I happened to be holding my new phone/camera in my right hand. Luckily we really were on our way out and I didn't suffer very long with the cold water on me. Still a fun day and lessons learned.

Sam's Knob Hike, December 2016

 

I took Calvin and Briggs up on the Parkway today for a short hike. I had heard of Sam's Knob for a while, but we had never been. Over the weekend a Facebook friend went with his family; I was inspired. We went at midday to Brevard for a fast-food lunch. We ate that on the final leg of the trip: up US 276 to the Parkway. The access to Sam's Knob is just a few miles south. We were on the trail at about 130pm. The trail cuts across a glen before heading up the small-ish mountain.

 

We missed a switchback and found ourselves scrambling almost vertically! We picked the trail back up and made it the rest of the way with no trouble. On the way back down I realized that some of the tree trunks and limbs were arranged in such a way (at the point we missed the turn) to try to indicate the right direction. We had missed the signs on the way up. The view from the top was great. The past few days had been cloudy, typical December weather for us. But this day had really blown clear, prompting me to blow off a meeting at the office and spirit us away. After descending we headed back toward Asheville via the Parkway, seeing some places that we had visited before. The tunnels were a big hit (again). We got home about 430pm.

Short jaunt on the Parkway

We wanted a nearby trip on the Parkway today, but as we set off north from the Folk Life Center we saw it was closed a mere 8 miles ahead. South, I knew already Graveyard Fields was closed for improvements, so we didn't want to head down that way. So we stayed VERY close. We went to the parkway headquarters and visitors' center. There we took a mile-long loop hike and saw these flowers. (Plus Calvin near the trailhead.) Then we came back to the Folk Life Center for a picnic lunch. We trouped around the gallery a while and then headed home. It was picture day for the current baseball season, and both Calvin and Briggs had mid-afternoon time slots. It was a nice short outing. And a good day for spring flowers.

Plus some fiddlehead ferns in memory of my dad.

South Mountain State Park, Summer 2013

The Friday after the 4th of July this year found me at home with all three boys and rainy weather in the offing. It had been raining quite a bit for most of a week, so everyone was kind of edgy with boredom. On a whim I decided to take everyone to South Mountain State Park. We had been in 2008 also. I figured Eli and Briggs would remember it a bit, even if Calvin didn't. Herewith some before and after pictures. In 2008 the weather had been "normal" so the river was what one might expect. The contrast with the state of the river after a month of rain was quite remarkable.

Briggs in 2008. We spent most of our time on the 2008 trip near the parking area. There is a picnic area, and the water in 2008 was pretty, perfect for exploring.

 Calvin in 2008, about 9 months old.

Eli near the falls in 2008. Notice the flow level.

 

 The falls in 2008. Pretty enough, and tame enough.

At the falls in 2013. Gush-a-licious. Sorry it's a little blurry: the spray in the air, and the general cloudiness of the area gave the camera on my phone fits.

Calvin in 2013. He hiked the whole way up to the falls, around the top and back down, in pouring rain for the last 45 minutes. He was not willing to call it a "great adventure" until long after we had gotten home! But at this point the sun had actually broken through for a few minutes; true "calm before the storm."

Briggs in 2013, about half-way up to the falls. We knew the water level was up, and got a good indication of that here. Many places we had walked around on in 2008 were completely submerged this year.

 

There is a sheer rock face along the way up to the fall. Usually it's dry; water was pouring around it this time around. Above, Eli in 2013; below in 2008.

Calvin at the falls overlook. Standing there for just a few moments led to total drenching. There was no rain at this point, but the effect of the water coming off the falls was as if it were pouring.

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.

Moore Cove Falls

We hiked to Moore Cove Falls this afternoon (me, Eli and Briggs). I saw an article in Mountain Express this week that mentioned it.

To get to US276 near Brevard using NC280 is about an hour. Moore Cove Falls is about 6.5 miles up 276 from 280. It's not got a prominent sign, so we drove by it first time; it was easy enough to turn around and get back. The river passes under 276 at this particular point in the road, so there was that to enjoy after the hike to the falls itself.

The first 200 yards were the toughtest: a pretty decent hill to begin with. After that it was a breeze. Because of rain yesterday there was plenty of mud. There are some places where they have had to construct elevated wooden walkways, but nothing much more remarkable.

The falls are pretty nice. The best part is that one can walk behind them. There is a nice-sized crevice with lots of head-room. The falls were a little slick (none of us fell, once we got respect for the rocks). There are un-official trails to the top of the falls, but a boy fell and died from there in 2007; that was enough for even Briggs and Eli to consent to remain at ground level. There were plenty of places to sit and enjoy, and obviously one can dress for the ocassion and let the falls rain down on oneself. Briggs enjoyed that immensely. Obviously, when the weather has been dry, the falls will be minimal; today they were respectable, if not gushing.

We made a journey of it and came back via the Parkway: another 8 miles up 276 to the Parkway and then 30 or so to get back to Asheville. The Parkway is now re-opened through the Mt. Pisgah area, though there is a section of one-lane road, with a traffic light controlling the flow (on a busy day it could lead to traffic backup). Not bad at all today.