Panthertown Valley

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

Waterfalls, sandy beaches, sheer rock walls... all in one hike!  That's what Panthertown Valley had to offer the Girls in the Woods this week.  We couldn't have ordered a more beautiful day.

We hiked eight and a half miles and jumped on and off of several trails.  We ended up hiking backwards from our original plan, but still saw everything we wanted to see on this trip.  Never straying far from the water, we made numerous crossings on rocks, logs and sometimes bridges.

The first waterfall was Schoolhouse Falls

We were like turtles soaking up the sun.

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

The second falls we came to was Granny Burrell Falls.  There was ice all along the edge, so we cautiously worked our way to an area where we could see.  Even though it was sixty degrees today, it has been dropping down in the thirties at night.

This was the strangest thing.  A sandy beach in the middle of the forest.

We ate lunch on one of the sandbars and this was my view.

A friendly reminder to respect the forest and the shelter.

The Great Wall was aptly named.  We hiked to the base of the mountain in complete awe, feeling very small.   Maggie was trying to figure out how one would go about climbing this giant.

The last falls took a little work to get to.  We were all getting tired by this point, but were so glad we had made the effort.  I am never sorry that we push ourselves to see just one more thing.

Greenland Creek Falls

It was an all day hike, as you can see by the late afternoon sun at the top.  But what a day!  This hike is a little over an hour from my house and I had no idea these falls were here, or that rock face.  Exploring the beautiful area where I live with my hiking friends is one of best things I do for myself.  It's my therapy.

" In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir

I Love Grandma Time

I was thrilled to be able to spend some time with Travis' family at the end of January.  We didn't get to see them over the holidays, so I was itching to get down there.  This little one is changing weekly and she's in such a fun stage now- practically running all over the place and bursting with personality.  Four days of grandma bliss...

Outside is her favorite place to be, and since the weather was accomodating (short sleeves in January), we spent a lot of time there.  She would find even the tiniest puddle of water for splashing.

Late Christmasing.  I can't even stand the cuteness.

We played at the park.  She loved the swings and the slide.  Not quite ready to take the slide on her own, I went down with her, but couldn't quite pull off taking pictures at the same time.

If you look very closely you will see a tiny curl.  Yay!  The girl is getting hair.

We read lots of books.  I love how she holds "baby".

We watched some Beat Bugs.  Children's tv has changed over the years. This was a lot more fun than Sesame Street.  She's sporting her daddy's overalls, which made me all kinds of happy.

We took walks, where grandma took oodles of pictures of the landscape and foliage.  I love to walk the neighborhood and see how different island life is from my own.  Spanish moss hanging in the trees is lovely and one of the first things I always notice.

Beautiful flowers and fruit...

We saw some horses

but no turtles,

and no alligators, which was fine by me.

You gotta love it when walking the neighborhood includes some beach time.

The weather changed on me and turned cold before I left, but it takes a lot to keep me off the beach.

I feel blessed to get to spend time in this lovely place

with this little angel, and her parents.  Grandma time is the best.

New Year Blessings

"If you are really grateful, what do you do?

You share."

W. Clement Stone

January entries in my gratitude journal...

1- misty rain on my face

2- a graveside prayer

3-white squirrel scampering in the woods

4-new CTR rings on little hands

5- face time with Margeaux

6- hot cornbread and butter

7- hoppin john

8- meeting new neighbors

9- a clean refrigerator

10- cozy blankets

11-pot of soup

12-new lotion from a friend

13-being a "regular" at the Y, instead of a "newbie"

14- a warm washcloth on my face

15- air in a flat tire

16- Christmas decorations packed away on shelves

17- a new move for Kenzie

18-money to pay taxes

19-sparkling clean house

20- balsamic glazed brussel sprouts

21- near miss accident on icy roads

22- time with Mary Kay

23- encouragement from church leaders

24- making it up a snowy driveway

25- being home

26- organized cabinets

27- a new budget app on my phone

28- melting snow

29- amaryllis in bloom

30- bath time with  Margeaux

31-clean doggies

32- melted cheese

33- fresh sauerkraut

34- stepping into a hot shower

35- lunch with Cindy and family

36- help with pruning the fruit trees

37-sugar free hot chocolate that I love!

38-red headed woodpecker

39-sweet memories of my Nana

40- pink morning skies

41-lunch with Whit and Sadie

42-morning stretching to Paul Cardall

43-walking in the rain

44-hearts and flowers from Mark

45- a friend who's stepped back into church activity

46- a generator

47-reminder of temple blessings

48-red grapefruit

49-sunshine on my face

50-sweating through an exercise class

"Count your many blessings; name them one by one.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

Let's Climb the Fire Tower

The Girls in the Woods were off to Tennessee for this hike.  I had missed a few weeks and was ready to get back on the trail.  It was a cold day though, and I struggled to keep my hands warm.  I'm investing in some hand warmers for the rest of these winter hikes.  Jeannette and Maggie shared theirs with me and it made all the difference.  A real friend shares her hand warmers.

Even with the cold weather, it was a beautiful day.  I love the browns of winter, with an occasional splash of evergreen.  We had some long range views through the trees as we climbed.

Pretty rocks under my feet.

We were making some elevation gains!

I like to hike near the back, so I can stop to take pictures.  I have to be careful not to get too far behind though, because these girls are moving on and I don't want the group to have to wait on me.  The disadvantage to being in the back, is that when the group stops for a rest, they are ready to go again by the time you get there.   

Four miles behind us and one to go.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

This fire tower was our destination.  It doesn't look that tall, but climbing it made me nervous.  I think it was all the open stairs and railing.  I was glad Maggie was behind me to encourage me when I began to think maybe I didn't want to go all the way to the top after all.  She told me I did.

This was on the ceiling.

The view from the top.  Imagine it like this on all sides.

Julie and Susan

Here we are.  Coral's holding on to me tightly.  It was windy up there!

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Time for lunch.  I had packed soup in a thermos and man did it hit the spot!

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

Margie and Maggie

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

My back side.

(Photo courtesy of Julie Eargle)

It was a great day.  It was a cold day.  I didn't warm up until I got home and took a hot bath.  When my brain thawed a little, I started thinking some thoughts. It would've been easy to have chosen to stay home today. I could've wrapped up in a blanket and read a book and piddled around the house.  But, I'm glad I chose to hike.  It was good for me to be outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.  It was good for me to push myself to hike up a mountain (almost ten miles!).  It was good for me to climb that fire tower, even though it made me nervous.  I felt like I had faced my fears when I was standing on the top, having pushed myself out of my comfort zone. It was good to be around these women who make me want to be better just by being with them.  It was a great day.