Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls

Cumberland Falls State Park

I know I've quoted this little "song" before, but I always think of it when I post a picture of a waterfall. Since reading that book, waterfalls always "sing" this song to me, when I sit near them.

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song

from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Cumberland Falls

I finally made it to the woods! This summer has been so hot and buggy, that it's made it nearly impossible to want to be outside. So, I haven't wanted to venture out on the trail, even though I've desperately wanted to!

Well, a couple of weekends ago, I got my chance. The weather was perfect—highs in the mid-70's, 0% humidity, and breezy. Now, that's my kind of weather! So, we made it a goal to get out in the woods, and traveled about an hour and a half to Cumberland Falls State Park. We packed our lunches in the daypack, grabbed our trekking poles, and hit the Eagle Falls Trail. Since we had our daughter with us (21-months, today), we didn't want to take on more than we could handle, so we thought the 1.5 mile trail would be perfect. It would give us the chance to see both Cumberland and Eagle Falls, and allow us to be in the woods.

The trail was gorgeous, mostly shaded, and all-around wonderful! But, don't let that meager 1.5 miles fool you. This isn't just a piece-of-cake hike. Parts of this trail are described as "very rugged." But, it's so worth it! It offers an up-close look at Eagle Falls, and some of the best views of Cumberland Falls (see above). It's truly a beautiful trail. And, it satisfied my craving to be "in the woods." We were exhausted by the time we were done, but so happy, too. Now, I'm just hankering for the next trip . . .

Amicalola Falls

Amicalola Falls

Dawsonville, GA

As I said in a previous post, our family spent Christmas in Georgia this year. It's easy to see why this is one of Georgia's most popular state parks. According to the Web site, "Amicalola, a Cherokee Indian word meaning 'tumbling waters,' is an appropriate name for these 729-foot falls—the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River."

The Brink

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song
from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Smokies

"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! "

—John Muir

This picture was actually taken at sunset, not sunrise. But, I love the way this stream is in the shadow of the Smokies, and you can see the sun on another mountain in the background. These woods and mountains are so diverse, they fascinate me. What a wonderful piece of Creation! The Smokies always remind me a bit of Hinds' Feet on High Places, and the journey of "Much Afraid." I can't help thinking about that story whenever I'm there.

"From the heights we leap and go

To the valleys down below,

Always answering to the call,

To the lowest place of all."

Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We took a short hike into Grotto Falls in the Smokies. We spent quite a bit of time here, playing in the water, snapping shots, looking for salamanders (there are tons!), eating lunch, and relaxing.

The falls are fairly easy to get to (some list the trail as "easy", others as "moderate") from the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. It's well worth the short trip in.