A Walk in the Woods

Yesterday started out as a really yucky day.  It was raining when I woke up (YAY!), but I was afraid it was going to mess up part of  my plans for the day.  Oldest Son had a day off, so I went up to see him.  He's turning into quite the "Nature Boy", so he had a hike on a very small part of the Appalachian Trail planned for us.  I love waterfalls, so OS had one he wanted to show me.
By the time I got to OS' house, it had pretty much stopped raining.  We had to go by Financial Aid and drop something off, then we grabbed a quick lunch and we were off on our adventure!  On the way we went through a little town that has the oldest covered bridge still in use in the state.  
Then, we made it to the trail:
At the beginning of the section we hiked, there was a canopy of these gorgeous rhododendron:
I bet it's absolutely stunning when they're blooming!
Not too far in, we came across this sign:

My trail guide!

We crossed a bridge that was just a little  scary to me because  it was pretty high and you could see between the slats:
But the view was lovely:

We saw walls of rocks:

Then, we came to a very large "hill" with rocks built into the side to make stairs:
We finally made it to the falls:
This picture  doesn't do it justice as to how big it really was.  OS & I had a discussion about how anybody could see that and not believe in God.  
I was pretty fascinated by the foam that the falls made:
 The whole way down to the falls, I kept thinking about having to climb back up the hill.  It sure would be a lot easier if they had installed an escalator when they made the rock steps!  I mean, there's plenty of water, so it shouldn't be that hard to generate electricity, right?  It turned out that it really wasn't all that bad; I stopped a couple of times going up, and it was all good.

I spent 4 years in that area when I was in undergrad school, but didn't take advantage of everything that the area had to offer.   After yesterday, I regret that I had no idea of the beauty of the area.  I did go to the river a couple of times, but never hiked.  
After spending quality time with OS yesterday,  I learned a few things:
1.  OS knows what he's doing when he's out on the trail.  He showed me things to look out for just in case something happened to him and I had to make it back by myself.
2.  His tendency to wear out shoes is apparently now working to his advantage.  The shoe company is sending him free shoes to wear out, then send back so they can figure out how to make them last!  
3.  OS loves him mom.  He looked out after me during our hike, stopping every now and then when we were walking up the hill from the falls.  He made sure I had plenty of water and gave me a walking stick to use!  Yes, I am the queen!
4.  I am incredibly out of shape.  Now that my back is better, I'm definitely going to have to hit the walking trail & treadmill.
5.  OS is in incredibly good shape.  It's a different shape than he was in when he played football, but I don't even think he broke a sweat when we hiked.  Me,well, I was soaked by the time we  got back to the car!
6.  I really enjoyed being out in the middle of nowhere.  Taking in the clean, fresh air and just being out there with my boy, and feeling completely safe.  (Of course, I don't think I'd like it when it was dark...I have too great of an imagination-thinking about the bears and other wild animals that are roaming out there!)   I may even invest in some boots (which are necessary to keep the rocks out of your shoes!) and take in some trails around here!

You know, as hard as it is to admit that my baby is all grown up, it is just as satisfying to see him as an adult.  Sure, there are areas where he still needs some guidance, but I'm extremely proud of the man he's become!

30 comments:

  1. That looks like it was a lot of fun. And how great to bond with your boy :)

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  2. I give you a lot of credit, I don't think that I would have been able to cross that bridge. Way to go!

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  3. I really enjoyed the hike with you and your son. The scenery is awesome, the exercise is great, but the best part is, you spending this day with your handsome son. Happy hiking, Gerry

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  4. What an awesome experience...and what a great memory you created. I'm glad you had a nice time!

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  5. what a sweet time you all must have had. i know what you mean about seeing gorgeous things in nature and wondering how anyone can not believe in god.....i see Him all around me! your son is a cutie by the way!

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  6. It's a BIG day when we actually see our "boys" as the men they are becoming. Yesterday will be a day that neither of you will ever forget. So good that he wanted you to go with him and so good that you actually went. He is obviously becoming a very capable, thoughtful, loving man. You must be extremely proud & thankful!!

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  7. I think it is awesome that you hiked all that!

    The pictures you shared were gorgeous. Nothing like that around here. I'm glad you are taking time to stop and smell the roses.

    Life passes so quickly and it is such a joy to see a mom share it with her growing son! (Gentleman)

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  8. The pictures are great! So fun you got to hike with him!!

    Thanks for stopping by Lilac City Momma now following.

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  9. I love hiking but it's been so long since I've been. We've got a big one planned soon and I know it'll be hard for me, haven't had done it in so long.

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  10. Beautiful pictures. I don't think that I could have done the bridge. you are braver than me. lol
    thanks for visiting my blog. Now following you.
    I'm also now on Blog Frog, but I can't get logged in for some reason
    Sherri

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  11. I love to hike. And there is an old Covered Bridge in the neighborhood I grew up in. We drove over (under)? it almost daily. I never thought too much about it until the first time hubs came home with me and he commented on it. I always notice it now.

    A day out with grown up kids is always good: )

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  12. aw, what a great post! I'm so glad you got to spend time with your son. Isn't that fun? I love to hike when I'm up north; but not so much down here in the bayou. It's scary and way too hot down here. Beautiful scenery where you are! Enjoy your week, Candace

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  13. What an awesome day!! Quality time with OS. The beauty of nature. THe smell of clean air. And you made it!! Beautiful pictures.

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  14. Sounds like a time I would have enjoyed, but that bridge is missing a railing on one side and I don't do well with heights. I probably would have been crawling across! :)

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  15. Sounds like a fabulous day - the photos are beautiful!

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  16. That place looks awesome. Glad you had a good day with your son.

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  17. That place is awesome. Glad you had a good day with your son.

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  18. love the falls. spending the day with your son sounds like a good opportunity to learn more about him, it worked

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  19. this really made me miss my hikes in Washington State with my friend, Molly. I'm really happy that you got to enjoy such a beautiful hike with your son; it sounds like the payoff for all that work was well worth it :)

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  20. Great photos and thank you for sharing them with us. I am so glad you had such a wonderful day in the woods. It is so lovely to commune with God isn't it. Happy Weds.

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  21. good for you...i need to go walking

    love me some appalachian trail

    GREAT pics!!

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  22. You've done well raising my nephew! I know you're proud...and maybe just a little sad that you no longer have a "little" boy?

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  23. Congratulations on having raised such a son! The next time my son asks if I want to go biking with him, I'll think of you and says, "sure"...

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  24. What a great son you raised and wow that day looked and sounded wonderful! I love to hike but I've never been anywhere like that! You are so lucky to have gone there...and to be able to go with you son is even better!

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  25. You've just gotta love boys!!! They can be so good to their mamas!!!!

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  26. A lovely post - how wonderful to spend the day with your son.

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  27. Sampling today. I loved this post. Time spent outside with someone we love is the best time, isn't it? Your photos really helped show just how beautiful this was.

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  28. My only son and child is not yet four. I am disabled and I probably won't be able to do the walk you did with your son. But I do hope to have the close relationship you two seem to share. Beautiful post and pictures too!

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  29. This saturday sampling seems like a really good idea. And I'm with everyone else, I don't think I could have crossed that bridge, I am so afraid of heights!
    But, it was all very beautiful, so that's what you get for being brave I guess :)

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