Cascades Falls.
the waterfall is awesome, I think I enjoy the hike to it just as much!
It follows the creek the whole way
Chasing dirt roads, we found Shawvers Run Wilderness and Virginia’s Hanging Rock
The day before we were racing back to camp as darkness settled over the farm land of back roads but we saw camels on a farm and then buffaloes. We never found the camel farm, but the buffalo were out.
That night, we hiked up to Wind Rock for the sunset
Happy Father’s Day. I started early with a bike ride, fixed a lawn mower, then James, Elizabeth and I headed to Morrow Mountain State Park for a hike and picnic before kayaking.
The summit road was closed, so we hiked from the bottom.
Along the way we met a couple walking their cat on a leash.
I can’t take James and Elizabeth somewhere that doesn’t have a waterfall…. Moccasin Creek Falls on Falls Reservoir
For those who know the paddle, the dam was releasing water and the spillway was sending water over the rock island… the water was faster than I have ever seen it. I really thought there was no way we were going to make it to the caves today, but Beth was determined. We tried the right side, Clay attacked the middle and finally Beth said we had to go up the left bank, portage over the rocks and then all we had to do was cross the river – sounds easy enough. I was sure I was going to be swimming again like the last time I tried to make it during a release, so no pictures, I put everything away.
After long effort over the rocks we made it!
Nobody was flipped and Beth got to paddle into the cave.
Time to hike! We decided not to kayak since water was up and fast from recent rains, so we went to the closest waterfalls – Hanging Rock State Park. #1 Tory’s Falls
#2 
and a pretty drop below the pool of Lower Cascades Falls
#3 Window Falls
Window Falls from behind
Pretty unnamed falls above Window Falls
Hidden Falls
#4 Upper Cascades Falls from above
and below
Follow the creek down from Upper Cascades Falls to find this unnamed drop
After hiking we decided to explore, and found this building. Col. Jack Martin Stone House
Rider Falls – it’s on private property and this is the view from the road… it’s not in Kevin Adam’s book?
Maybe a Taco Tuesday picture as seen through an old farm building
Time to explore!
Kodak and I headed to the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness for a hike
she paused and looked at me like, “you sure old man”
pretty day
She is so happy, I have missed hiking!
The Great Channels in SW Virginia. I hiked here a couple of years ago in the cold and snow, today was much warmer.
It’s fun to explore the cracks and crevices.
and a daughter to show scale
these are the main “slots” – we explored trying to find more remote ones, but only got tangled in vines and bushes.
Another fire tower I can’t climb (Middle Knob) and since I was here last, the care taker’s cabin is gone.
Elizabeth recorded our track through the Channels
One last sunset
Today was spent closer to camp, we started by hiking the Lakeside Trail around High Knob Lake.
Kodak was happy to go in and out of the water
Then we visited the High Flag Recreation Area overlooking Norton, VA for a picnic lunch
Norton is a Bigfoot Sanctuary city, locals call it a Woodbooger
and explored a bit
we spent the next couple of hours driving forest service and dirt roads looking for hidden camp spots or whatever else we could find… this trail dead-ended and required a 10 point turn around
The woods are full of these flowers, maybe an upside-down Cheetah Lily
Next up – going to see Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
Today started with a hike to Devils Bathtub. This hike requires at least 11 creek crossings and had been on my to do list for years.
Most pictures of Devils Bathtub show this turquoise pool, but it is a great swimming hole just 100 yards from the actual “bathtub”
The “bathtub” is a 3 foot wide by 9+ feet deep pool at the base of a small waterfall.
I tried to touch the bottom… it’s deep!
The next stop, Stony Creek Waterfall
This one is awesome, you can swim behind the falls!
My cooking success tonight – I melted Hersey Miniatures in a double boiler and poured over cheesecake and strawberries!
Good morning from Jefferson National Forest, a rainy and foggy morning!
The whole site! 2 Tacomas, a tear drop, Flippac and Sam’s tent.
A cool log on the way to Cascades Falls.
Fungi
Cascades Falls
the 4 wheel drive trail to Butt Mountain
The fire tower was on top Butt Mountain, but you couldn’t climb to the cab.
On the way down, we took a different trail and James slid into a hole,
on Butt Mountain : )
luckily Maxtrax worked again… no damage! (other than a mud flap)
Keto Taco Tuesday. Chicken on bell peppers, cheese and sour cream.
Father’s Day started with a long mountain bike ride, and a nap in the Flippac before heading home.
Since it’s “my” day, I choose a family hike to the top of Little Long Mountain for a supper time picnic.
That makes a good day!
A busy day, up early for a run at Bass Lake, then time to explore, driving foreat service and dirt roads
a couple of short hikes
the view of Grandfather Mountain from Grandmother Mountain.
Ended the day at USAT summer singles league, I won my match 6-1, 6-3
