LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, October 5, 2009

Land Where the Water Falls Part Two


Among our favorite activities we include hiking, especially to the many waterfalls in our area. Recent heavy rains have filled our streams and rivers. We have continued to have around two inches of rain every week since the flooding rains in September. After three consecutive years of drought, the rain makes us happy indeed.

One of our favorite hikes is an easy hike in Dupont Forest. Hiking only a mile, we are rewarded with three amazing waterfalls, Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls.

This photograph of Triple Falls was taken in May of 2007. The water level is somewhat less than "normal" because of the drought.



Compare that photograph to the following photographs taken last month after some heavy rains. Note the amount of visible rock below the falls in the 2007 picture. None of those rocks are visible in the September photographs.

The pictures do not do justice to the marvelous falls. To really appreciate them, one must be standing there listening to the roar and watching the spray.















Tonight is the BIG game. The Green Bay Packers are heading to Minnesota to play former teammate Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. [Thanks, Rae, for pointing out my error about the location. Guess I got carried away.] Here's hoping the Packer defense will intercept Brett several times and sack him just as often. Here's hoping the Packer fans will have a happy trip back to Wisconsin. Here's hoping the Viking fans will go to work in the morning tired and depressed at having lost to the Packers. As Vince Lombardi said, "If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?" And if the Vikings happen to win, I'll be thinking of another Lombardi quote, "We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time."


HERE'S HOPING...


25 comments:

Rudee said...

Well it certainly appears with your Lombardi quotes, you're in a no lose situation.

The falls are beautiful, truly. I'm hoping that with El Nino, drought will be diminished and we'll finally get a bit of a milder winter around these parts.

robin andrea said...

The falls look beautiful and full. We haven't had our rains yet, here in California, and we are so ready for them. I can't wait!

I don't follow football, but I really do hope your team wins!

abb said...

What beautiful photos!

Carol Murdock said...

Carolyn, don't go messing with our home town boy! HA! Should I say our mental poster boy! I hear ya!
Love the "falls" pics! :)

Rae said...

The falls are breathtaking and beautiful. More breathtaking would be a BIG FAT Vikings loss and Packers win. It will be so lovely watching Brett on the ground surrounded by men in green and yellow. Let the celebration begin. Go Packers!
BTW- I thought they were playing in the dome in Minnesota. I didn't know it was going to be at Lambeau but that will be better yet. Only real football heroes play out in the cold weather.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love those three waterfalls, Carolyn. Glad you got to see them after the heavy rains. I can only imagine how marvelous they were.

God PACKERS. I used to like Favre--but NO MORE. (My poor Titans are 0-4... GADS!)
Hugs,
Betsy

Cedar ... said...

There is always something calming about being next to moving water. The sounds, the spray,... the view. Nice post.

Cheryl said...

The falls are truly beautiful. I am drawn to waterfalls, music to my ears. You are lucky to have them so close.....
The change in water level is amazing....I am so glad that your drought appears to have ended.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful photographs......

Barb said...

Hi Carolyn,
I could almost hear the roar of those beautiful falls! Looks like high water indeed.

Sam said...

That is a LOT of water! It seems most of you have welcomed it, though, so that's good. Seems nature sometimes doesn't know how to act in moderation.. first a long drought, then a long rain spell.

Donna said...

Wow, the falls are beautiful. I can almost hear the roar.

KB said...

So much water! The falls are gorgeous, and seeing the rush of water suggests that your drought is over!

I don't follow football but I loved the final cartoon.

And, thanks for the recipes. Just had the high-cal one, and I feel full and happy!

Kathryn Magendie said...

LAUGHING! The Brett Favre thing!

We're getting ready to have more rain! And boy do we need it....my creek was so low, and now to hear it sing again....

Anonymous said...

I asked Hubby who he was pulling for and he says that as much as he loves the Packers, he's pulling for Favre. That means he's pulling for the Packers, but hopes Brett does something amazing late in fourth quarter to pull it out.

Sorry...I'm just pulling for a short game. :)

Triple Falls --WOW! Looks like that energy could light the town!

Vicki Lane said...

It's been quite a season for waterfalls -- one of my favorites is Mingo Falls in Cherokee.

amarkonmywall said...

Oh, my- beautiful falls! Will you tell me where they are? I'm headed to Asheville this weekend to plan for our big move there in February.

amarkonmywall said...

I found it! Only 32 miles from where we are in Fairview. I might drive down this weekend. :-)

Twisted Fencepost said...

Wow, is that some rushing water. I can almost hear it. Beautiful pictures!

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

Amazing difference. We might have visit that trail one Saturday in the near future! I love getting hiking location ideas from your blog, since I'm new to NC!

Tina said...

Great shots! Your photos of your water falls always look so inviting to visit..I can imagine the roar of them after so much rain!! Mother Nature can be impressive at times..in a good way!:)
Sorry about your Packers..My hubby and I are college and NFL fans and it was a good game..neither team, however, was are our fav..but one has to give some kudos to 39 almost 40 yr old Brett..he played a fantastic game and accomplished some stunning throws!

Shelley said...

Those waterfalls looked powerful and beautiful in your photos. I hope your team wins too! (Any team is better than my Detroit Lions unfortunately!)

Beth said...

Wow, those falls are so beautiful and awe-inspiring. We really need to head south more for our hikes! I think this one will be first on our list.

Good luck to your Packers!

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for all your comments.

Rudee - I do try to cover all bases.

Carol - I knew you would have something to say about your homeboy. I do believe he is a nice, fun kid; the operative word being "kid."

Rae - Thanks for catching my mistake. I just got too excited. The Vikings come to Green Bay in November.

KB - Hope you can take in enough protein and calories and that your mouth is better soon.

Kat - Our creek is pretty full. We did have more rain on Monday night and Tuesday.

Vicki - We haven't been to Mingo yet, but I have heard about those never-ending stairs.

Vicki - I send the link to your blog.

Lupines - That trail will get more and more busy as the fall color appears. If you have someone who cannot walk the trails, watch the DuPont Forest Website for "Tour de Falls." They have buses to drive people to those waterfalls and others in the forest.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carolyn: You and Betsy should have stories to swap on waterfalls. The Farve photo was a classic.

Dawn Fine said...

Water falls and Favre! Great...they keep on giving!