HIDDEN FALLS



*The first snow of the season graced our presence today, it was highly unexpected; although that may be because I fail to check the weather like I used to?!?! Snow is perhaps one of the most mesmerizing sights I have witnessed in my life. For so long I was deprived the experience of seasons while I lived in Florida; this will be my 3rd winter and I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited that we now live near the greenway trail so maybe this year I will get some good winter shots without having to drive anywhere when there is a heavy snow. Ah, but there's the question of motivation again!! I am thankful that we no longer live at the top of that treacherous hill any longer.
Acupuncture: This appointment was very different from the last two I had. This week my pain levels have been abnormally high, as a result they decided to place more focus on the actual pain instead of the heat, FINALLY! This time I received a total of 14 needles, sounds painful, huh? It may seem scary but it's not. As I laid there on my stomach and attempted to relax I was so tense it took me a while to settle into the treatment. Once I did though I sank into the table and just started to melt - it felt really good to slow down. Quieting my mind is another hard part while I'm lying there; I try to eradicate any negative thoughts that wiggle their way into my head during what is supposed to be a relaxation period. After my time was up and the needles were dislodged I sat up after a moment and was relieved by the fact that afterwards I felt lighter. My shoulders are a little tender but I sincerely hope that I get some extended relief as well as some much needed sleep. I won't have another appointment until after Thanksgiving, until then I will try my best to remain calm and collected.

Tory's Den

The photo above was taken inside a 20 foot cave, legends say that it served as a hideout for British Loyalists during the American Revolutionary War!
I could not get a good shot of it from the outside because of how invasive the sun was at that particular time of day, and we were in a hurry at this point to get to the next trail after seeing the sights so I didn't dare take out the tripod. Now, the picture below of Tory's Falls is a prime example of how starved we are of rain at this time. No where near as photogenic as Lower Cascades Falls as shown in the previous post, although that too was not as robust with rushing water as I would have liked to have seen. Tory's Falls was pretty sad really, but I still decided to share the bad along with what I profess to be good.

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TORY'S FALLS

I'm beginning to see that I am missing the boat in one fundamental area of photography, LIGHTING. I attribute it to the fact that we enjoy sleeping in on the weekends and I can't imagine dragging myself out of bed at the crack of dawn on a Saturday or Sunday to get the job done. I know my level of ambition is no where near those who take the astonishing pictures I wish I was motivated and dedicated enough to capture myself. I'm sure that I will come around soon enough but until then I won't let it bother me.

Lower Cascades Falls

In a span of just 3 hours Cody and I managed to squeeze in an entire days worth of outdoor activities. For starters the plan was to leave no later than 10:00 but we got sidetracked of course and didn't end up leaving until 11:30, and as I mentioned in a previous post it took us 2 hours total to get there. Once we got into the park we were hoping to find some food available but much to our dismay there was no food in sight. After speaking with the most unhelpful visitor center attendant ever we finally got it out of her that there was a restaurant just 5 minutes away, knowing that there were copious amounts of hiking to be done it was imperative to get some food beforehand. Thankfully, we found a little diner which screamed the fact that it was a place where locals frequented. After filling our empty bellies and studying the trail map we were headed back to Hanging Rock State Park. The first trail we took was to Lower Cascades Fall which was the waterfall I originally spotted in a photography book. I'm sure Cody got sick of me saying how cool it was that we were actually there in the flesh, finally. This by far was the most brilliant waterfall we encountered out of the four we visited while at the park. I was definitely pleased that we chose to see that one first so we weren't rushed; I was able to take my time and as a result fired off about 20 frames. I know that this photo can not succeed in portraying how incredible this little alcove really was but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.*In the very recent past you would have had to maneuver a steep and somewhat rugged climb down but they have since completed a project which allows just about everyone to gain access with little to no problems. It starts out with a wooden boardwalk complete with stairs which make the descent a whole lot more gradual than it would be otherwise, and turns into stairs composed of rocks as you see above.

Hanging Rock State Park
Alternate Link

Hanging Rock State Park

You may ask and/or wonder, "Why do they always go to State Parks?". Well, I have thought about this from time to time and the answer I come up with is that these are places in which you can obtain the most information on with just a simple search; and the fact that this alone makes it so much easier to up and plan a last minute excursion is what appeals to me most. This waterfall you see behind Cody and myself is or was just a picture I saw in a book a week or so ago. As I glanced through the pages I came across this place and said " I want to see that!", and if you don't realize how fulfilling something so seemingly insignificant can be I suggest you try it sometime. I often check out books and peak into visitor guides to find out about these places that otherwise would go unexplored. It thrills me to no end to see for myself something that was merely a photograph or description in a book or magazine. I know right now I'm just talking small potatoes since these places are so close to home, but this people is exactly why it's so special to me. I know that I can not got to Las Vegas or where ever all throughout the year so instead I satiate my need to travel by exploring that which is right outside our door. Okay, well, I know 2 hours aways is not just outside our door but you get the gist of it, right? I know I sound like a broken record when I talk about the mountains but these sights never cease to amaze me, everything is always so beautiful and I know how lucky I am to live in such a magnificently fascinating venue, believe me. I would do it no justice if I chose to sit at home all the time! I revel in the opportunity I have to share these places with you and I am also thankful that I have someone like Cody to readily have these experiences with, I truly am a lucky girl!

*More waterfalls to come so be sure and check back!!