50 After 50: Waterfalls and Wild Flowers

For our first adventure of 2017, we chose a familiar place not too far from home. With a forecast filled with rain chances and uncertain temps, we borrowed a friends camper for a long weekend at Old Stone Fort Archaeological State Park.  A small park with several inches of spring rains meant standing water with mud around our campsite. It was a no campfire weekend and a soggy mess that required mental adjustment. Thankful for the quiet, the bird songs, and the sound of roaring waterfalls, we slept well.

We awoke Friday morning to pleasant temperatures and a plan to hike after a hearty camp stove breakfast. 

Breakfast - Old Stone Fort

We drove from Manchester to Tracey City for a hike at the Fiery Gizzard trail  -- and discovered a new happy place.  It was a beautiful trail. At a co-w0rker's advice we chose part of the day loop. Entering opposite of the bathhouse and hiking to Sycamore Falls there was serene, calming, simple beauty all along the creek. A person could spend hours and days hiking this trail. We had a very enjoyable time with much more to explore. Judging distance is always hard for me while hiking. My co-worker told me how beautiful Sycamore Falls is, and at one point in our journey there we wondered if we had some how missed it. We kept walking and just before turning around, discovered it. A reminder to me about our journey thru life. That sometimes we may not know the way, but to continue -- keep going -- until we find the beauty that awaits. We may never know what is around the unknown corner. Trust Our Father who guides us, follow His advice, where ever He leads.

Sycamore Falls

Saturday morning, a Wildflower Hike was offered at the park. Mid-morning I joined a group at the museum for a Ranger led, very informative hike at Old Stone Fort. We were introduced to trees, plants, and wildflowers. The waterfalls were amazing after the rainfall. These Bluebells were a special treat, they only bloom a few weeks in Spring. 

 

Bluebells

Saturday afternoon while the sun was still shining, we drove a few miles to Tullahoma. Short Springs Natural Area is the home of Machine Falls. A short hike and then down some steep steps across a few rocks and this beautiful falls greeted us.

Machine Falls

What are you doing this summer?

Beverly Alice

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