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.

Weekend off!

I am taking this weekend off from church. I had originally thought about going to the Guilford homecoming, but decided not to go. Saturday we set off for the NC Zoo, but we got a really late start, and shifted plans at MP 111 and opted for South Mountains State Park instead. We had a nice picnic lunch and walked one of the shorter trails. Eli lost a tooth at lunch. Briggs managed to avoid getting wet in the river. We prevented Calvin from ingesting too many leaf bits. All in all a pretty good day. The place was pretty busy for a cool-ish fall day, but it was clear, so that brought out the hill folk and the urbanites as well. The main trail was nice and wide and paved for part of the way. There was a large clearing where several trails converged; the brothers were able to run around a bit. We hiked to High Shoals Falls, about a mile. It was an easy hike, with plenty of wooden bridges and steps in place. There were a couple of steep places, but all in all quite easy. The view at the falls was very nice. There were lots of campers, so the scent of charcoal fires was deliciously hanging in the air as we left. We're heading for the Zoo on Sunday.

Robert Lake Park, Montreat

Briggs and I had a nice afternoon together a couple of weeks ago. We went to the park in Montreat. It's right on Flat Creek, which runs through our section of Black Mountain. Montreat is build around a small-ish Lake Susan. Just a couple hundred yards down from the dam is this park. Lots for little climbers to do and touch. It's a popular town-y place in the off-season. It was blustery for us, but Briggs didn't seem to mind. There on the left he's fixing a broken hinge on a door!