We started off the morning swinging by the concierge to grab our welcome packet with all the resort information. We followed that with some Starbucks to kick the day off. Then setting out for a couple waterfalls about 50 miles away. These curvy roads are no joke it took a couple hours on back roads to make it. We took so many turns I don’t think I’d have ever made it back out with out gps but it was beautiful!
The first falls we’re in a newer state park with a nice visitors center. The falls base was a pretty strenuous hike forgoing that one we took the overlook which was great. We made a loop out of it coming back a different trail, eating lunch on the way. Veggie pitas I’d made this morning and a raise a hallelujah cookie left over from our heartiversary party. At the end was an old homestead which we thought would be a good spot to do photos with the prop we made. It works great and I got some really good shots of Amanda with it. I was really bummed we didn’t take it with us to the falls buts it’s big and I can’t just pack it inside my backpack. After how well it worked I was determined to take it everywhere. I rigged a hair bobby pin up to secure it to my backpack handle with the edges held down with the packs side straps. It works well going a couple miles and lots of tight trials on the following spot.
The next falls weren’t in a park but just off the road. The trails app I’m using said it was now private property and you needed to pay. We drove down but couldn’t find the check in, after calling I finally realized it was just a sign in sheet/waiver and a donation box. It was amazing and will be hard to top this one. We were able to get right next to the falls up top and very close at the base was well. The base trail was steep with deep roots and rough with steep stairs taking you right down to the rivers edge and we hiked in along the rocks. It was worth every step, Amanda did great I’m so proud of her!
We spent a while there and had planned to go up close to Kentucky where there are 2 huge arches. We had to abandon that trip for today with not enough time left, possibly shooting for another day. Instead we went for a long way back but Amanda was getting tired and her back was hurting a bit so we started to head back early. I’m glad we didn’t turn back and go the same way the drive back was fabulous with twist turns, switchbacks, and loopdies as we call them!
I made a grocery run as we got to town while Amanda took a nap then back to the condo. Gas isn’t the only thing high up here, groceries we super high as well. It may have just been the store, it was bougie like a small town Whole Foods! Let’s just say it was no HEB though. We were both hungry so I made a quick salad while Amanda put groceries up. Then making dinner, eggplant hold the parm and some pasta. I baked it and made the fire alarm go off twice. I had the windows open because the weather is amazing so I’m sure our neighbors love us!
We’re ready for tomorrow, heading to the Great Smoky Mountain National park. We don’t plan to do a lot of hiking just a lot of windshield time but we may hit a few trails. Playing it by ear is the name of the game tomorrow, we’ll just see what’s in store and roll with it.