Walking Sticks and Waterfalls

Mary

As you have read, we have been packing and loading our rig to leave on our maiden trip. We are very excited. There are a few things that we have decided to bring -- just because. One of those things is my walking stick. It is not one of those fancy ones that can be picked up at a welcome center or on the interstate at one of the Flying J’s for about $10 bucks. It is one that was picked up off the ground on a back woods trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was given to me.

Tim and I were exploring waterfalls in the Blue Ridge last fall. Some of these falls are off the road quite a ways. There are no tourist stands in the area. Roads to many of the waterfalls are unmarked. The only way many of them can be found is to make a turn at the next road after mile marker such and such.

The trails to the falls are well marked. The National Forest Service has done a wonderful job of making these treasures accessible, but not TOO accessible.

We were walking down one of these trails when we passed another couple coming the other way. They were done for the day. They were relaxed and happy to have made the trip to Courthouse Falls. I asked them if it was worth the hike down to the falls and they both said Ohh yaa.. She said I was gonna need her walking stick, it was just one she picked up on the ground. I still have it. To me the value comes from the memory it has of a generous and happy woman sharing something she enjoyed and of a great weekend trip.

It was worth the hike to the falls. It is a treasure hidden in the woods. There are over 300 waterfalls in North Carolina. There are about 250 in Transylvania County alone. We were able to get to about 5 of them in a quick weekend.

We are looking forward to many more weekends to come.