After getting maps and directions at the PNF Visitor's Center, we headed out to find the Daniel Ridge Loop. We selected this trail because it was of moderate difficulty and a longer hike: 4 miles. The directions are difficult at best: Go .1 miles then walk down gravel road, turn right at the fork in the road, left at the snake hole, climb up big tree, look down... etc. Ok, I exaggerate but it isn't far from the truth. Jen and I got a little testy with each other because each guide we were reading had different directions.
We finally found the Daniel Ridge Falls and it was worth it!
The trail head was near the falls and we took off on our hike. There were so many sights and the pictures in no way capture the grandeur of what we saw. There were tight passage ways through twisted trees, steep climbs with tree roots as stairs, wide open gaps where we walked high along the mountain side on a 2 foot wide path looking down into deep gullies. There were moments of shade with only the sounds of rushing streams and moments of echoes of bird chirps and animals walking that bounced around the rocks that bordered our path. A few times we traveled off the beaten path to find little waterfalls.
At one point we came upon a snake on the path that I saw before Jen. I calmly said, "Jen..." as she suddenly walked ahead and was going to step right on the snake. "Jen, just run, JUST RUN!" was my command and I might as well have said, "Jen, dance a jig Micheal Flatley style!" because she began her sprint with a sprightly back and forth knee high step. Thank God she missed the snake - I have no idea what kind of snake it was, and the poor thing was probably more scared than us. I stayed and watched as Jen high stepped over the creature and as it slithered across the path back into the woods. Of course then I laughed as I asked Jen if she was ok. She was, and we both enjoyed the hilarity of the moment. I'm sure there were some nervous giggles sprinkled in there as well. (Jen: All I thought @ that moment was that if I just kept jumping back and forth from left to right, I wouldn't step on it -- then I took off on a high-step run like a bat out of hell. We could not stop laughing after the shock wore off.)
Coming back out of the woods was a strange feeling. We didn't realize how long we had been hiking: 3-4 hours! Being in the forest by ourselves was so calming for me and I know I'll be counting the time until we can find our way back here in the future.
We found a few other falls on the map and took the short hikes required to see them. Again, the pictures do not do justice to these beauties.
Our dinner plans this evening involved the Fiddlin' Pig BBQ Restaurant. This place offered live Bluegrass music as we ate our smoked meats and greens. I love love love bluegrass so it was a fine end to our days adventures. (J: I loved watching Stacey smile her way through dinner, as she listened to the band. She also got all teary-eyed as she watched the elderly couple dance - it was so cute. Also, there were these kids that took over the dance floor and one little boy was dancing like a maniac the entire time. It's like he just couldn't NOT dance. No inhibitions whatsoever. I was never like that, even as a kid!)
I have slept so well here. The mix of physical activity with the relaxing sounds and sites has brought on a feeling of complete relaxation that has rocked me to sleep each night. I have to figure out a way to incorporate this into my life in Florida. Suggestions welcome. (J: It helps to have skylights directly over the bed so we can see the stars at night. I wish we had scenic hikes like this in FL. I'll miss it.)
aww those old people are so cute!!!
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