Hiking the Trail

Once we, my little family and my parents, arrived at our magical spot, we happened upon my sister, Shannon, and her husband. Actually, we knew they were having lunch there and thought we'd barge in on their party. They were just getting back from a hike on the trail. Apparently Ben had been chatting on the trail about how they needed to get the whole family together there for a day. Surprise! (Holly, where were you?!)

We gathered at a picnik table and soaked in the atmosphere while eating our lunch, sharing chips here and a cluster of grapes there... Eventually we were ready to set off for an adventurous hike. Shannon and Ben stood on shore and waited until we were around the bend before continuing down the road on their own adventure.

Mom and I were (as always) the dueling cameras. The boys ran circles around us, as we stopped to take pictures of everything.

Fallen trees are cut away to clear the path. Large sheets of bark cover swampy areas of trail.

The falls greeted us at the end of the official trail. But 'the end' never stops us...

I'm always reluctant to try a family photo in the midst of an adventure (what little boy can sit still in the best of times, much less when a trail beckons, and who looks their best after a hike?), but we made the attempt anyway... (And I have a crazy-huge bruise on my knee from slipping on the wet rocks and saving my camera instead of my body...)

This little waterfall heads down to the creek from the cave that gives the site it's name. Later I'll show photos from below.

We had to stop for a moment to feel the damp, cold air and listen to the echo-y trickling sounds coming from the mouth of the dark cave.

When we were hiked-out, the boys were ready for a little water action (the weather was incredible for May!). More photos to come.