Helen and I got away for a short RV trip last week. Her treatments have left her a little energy-sapped, and we both figured that the best therapy might be some time spent Creekside in our favorite campground in North Carolina, reading and watching the ducks float by. Once rejuvenated by the fresh air and mountain breeze, we might even take a hike.
The easiest way to interest me in hiking is to tell me there is a waterfall somewhere on the trail. They fascinate me, and I’m confident that I am not alone. To me, a waterfall is an art form not unlike some of the most delicate sculptures ever chiseled by man.
There are several waterfalls around Cherokee, North Carolina, including Toms Branch Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which we have visited several times. The trail leading to the waterfall and beyond is a flat hiking trail that follows Deep Creek for several miles. A brisk walk along that trail is a very pleasurable way to spend a day in the great outdoors.
Soco Falls is another waterfall in the area that we have not visited previously, even though it is within a short drive from our campground. We needed to visit Soco Falls. Helen did some quick research to learn all that was involved in reaching the waterfall. To our surprise, Soco Falls is only a few hundred yards from the parking lot—a good thing since we had dodged rain showers for our entire visit to Cherokee, limiting our time outdoors.
The short trail to the viewing platform was down a steep slope over slippery rocks and mud. Our hiking poles came in handy. I was surprised that even with the threat of rain, the parking lot was packed, and the trail was busy. Visitors on the short course accommodated two septuagenarians slipping and sliding down the hill.
Recent rains had filled Soco Creek, and the waterfall was quite a show for us. The viewing platform was busy, and I had to wait my turn for pictures. Two young ladies had walked beyond the platform to the creek bottom and climbed the rock face to a ledge within the waterfall. The act looked risky, but I might have been with them in my youth.
Our visit to Soco Falls was the only noteworthy outside activity on this RV trip due to the rain. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our time immensely and accomplished what we intended to do, rest and recoup.
This week’s edition of Easin’ Along would be relatively short were it not for two recent posts by bloggers Suzanne (Picture Retirement) and Terri (Second Wind Leisure Perspectives). Suzanne wrote an excellent piece about her love for water and the ocean and illustrated it with beautiful pictures taken on trips both here and abroad.
Terri’s Sunday post gave her readers details about the road trip she and her husband had just completed and asked readers to submit comments about their favorite road trips from either this summer or their archives. Both posts got me thinking that 1) I am drawn to water, and 2) our visit to Soco Falls prompted me to go through my archives for pictures of the many waterfalls we have visited since we began our retirement road trips. It was a fun exercise, and I wanted to share a few pictures.
In addition to Tom’s Branch and Soco Falls, another waterfall located in western North Carolina is Linville Falls, outside of the charming town of Linville. Closer to home is Bald River Falls, located in the Cherokee National Forest near Tellico Plains, Tennessee. I try to visit there at least once a year. (Picture at top of page)
Last summer, Helen and I returned to the western part of the country and made a stop in Crater Lake, Oregon. At the time, we did not know that there were five waterfalls near Crater Lake. We decided to visit them all on a single day. We made it to four of them before the sky opened up and sent rain down in sheets. The fifth waterfall will have to wait for our next trip. (Click on any image to enlarge)
Glacier National Park offers waterfall enthusiasts an abundance of splashing splendor. Pictured here are six waterfalls, and I could not begin to pick a favorite. The hike to Virginia Falls was challenging but well worth the effort. (Click on any image to enlarge)
Yellowstone National Park also has plenty to amaze and delight as well. The impressive Yellowstone Falls is always a crowd favorite, and Gibbon Falls is a beauty. Geologic conditions at Mammoth Hot Springs give us Mammoth Cascade—a heated and very colorful waterfall.
Deschutes Falls near Yelm, Washington, is a smaller waterfall worthy of a short hike and a picture. Stone Mountain Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia requires a longer walk of several miles to reach. I wanted to include it here because of its long, flat, and somewhat unique appearance.
The Grandaddy is Niagara Falls, on the border of the United States and Canada. Helen and I visited this stunning natural wonder on our first retirement road trip a few years back. Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls, American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. All seem to run together as a single waterfall. Over 3,000 tons of water flow over the falls every second, and the roar of falling water is deafening. For kicks, Helen and I donned blue ponchos and boarded the Maid of the Mist boat to get an up-close view. It was impressive. The distinctive sound of Niagara Falls is demonstrated in the short video below.
I hope readers enjoyed this little swim down memory lane. We’ve had a scorching summer here, and just thinking about a dip below one of these waterfalls was rather refreshing.
Have a great week. We’re Easin’ Along.
Great post, Joe!
Thanks, Eddie,
This one was fun to put together. Thanks for checking in. Joe
Wow! What an incredible array of waterfalls you’ve visited! I have been to many, but never the Oregon ones. (Glad there was something that stayed beautiful last summer in spite of the Oregon forest fires)
This is an impressive assemblage of photos!
CeCe,
The waterfalls around Crater Lake were fabulous and relatively easy to get to unlike some of the falls in Glacier. Nevertheless, I needed the exercise. Have a great week! Joe
Glad you got away for some refreshing waterfall scenery. I share your fascination. Great photo collection of waterfalls. Hope the fresh air and scenery rejuvenated Helen.
Hi, Ingrid,
Anytime we can get away and sit beside a creek, we get refreshed. Thanks for the nice comments. Give our best to Al. Always great to hear from you. Joe
Joe, what a wonderful display of natural beauty. Malcolm and I are waterfall chasers too and will go to some lengths to view the special ones. Our collection is not nearly as extensive as yours, and I would love to get to the NP’s one day.
Thank you kindly for the mention. I can’t think of anything more soothing to the soul than the sound of water. Many blessings.
Good morning, Suzanne,
Soothing to the soul is an apt description for the sound of water. When we camp beside a creek we always leave a window open to hear the water rush through the rocks. That makes for good sleeping. I am a National Park Geek and very grateful that we have one in our back yard. National Parks are the greatest gifts Americans have given to ourselves. Hope your summer is going well. Thanks for stopping by. Joe
Hi, Joe – I knew from the title that I would love this post and I absolutely did. I’m so glad that you and Helen continue to explore such gorgeous areas. Sending big hugs to both of you!
Hi, Donna,
So glad you enjoyed our look back. This post was a lot of fun to put together and a little mental break from all the hot weather we’ve had lately. We hope to get back on the for for some short trips for the rest of the year, but we’re taking things as they come right now. Always great to hear from you. We’re sending hugs back to you and Richard. Joe
Hey Joe,
I too am drawn to water, be it falls, lake or ocean. My main comment refers to Linville Falls. It brought back memories of my Little League team, the Cardinals going camping there after the season was over. Jim Stewart and Jack Toole took us for a weekend camping trip.
Thanx for reminding me of that trip that I had forgotten.
Best wishes to you and Helen.
Hello, Mike,
Glad I could do that for you. I never heard of Linville until Helen and I took a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway and camped in nearby Newland, NC. It’s a beautiful area and the campground was first class. Great to hear from you, please come back. Joe
Thank you for the shout-out, Joe and honored I could inspire your waterfall road trip! Boy do I need to look at refreshing water scenes this week–pretty hot here even for our area! I’m glad Helen is feeling better and that your latest trip offered you both some peace and refreshment! So many of the places you shared in the PNW are not terribly far from us. Our summer road trips will be taken in cooler areas rather than the deserts of the southern parts of the states. Great capture of Upper Yosemite–must have been April or May when the falls are typically flowing! Have a wonderful week and stay cool and safe!
Good morning, Terri,
It’s hotter than blue blazes in East Tennessee right now, and I find it difficult to get out of the house in the afternoon. Thankfully, we have a pool in our neighborhood and that helps. I envy your location for summer travel. We really loved being in the PNW over the last two summers in beautiful weather and NO humidity. You’re correct about our visit to Yosemite–it was in late May and the creeks were full and the falls flowed mightily. Always great to hear from you, thanks for checking in. Joe
Glad y’all could get away!! The pics were beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Luanne
Hi, LuAnne,
Although we got hit with a lot of rain, we still had fun. Any time spent beside a creek is time well spent. Say hi to Frank! Joe
Hi Joe, so glad that you and Helen got away to one of your favorite nearby places. We love hiking to waterfalls, too. What a gorgeous collection of photos of your waterfall hikes! You guys have seen such a magnificent variety in your travels. It’s fun to take time to look back at photos, isn’t it? It always makes me realize just how much we’ve done, and makes me so grateful that we’ve been able to travel and explore.
How wonderful that you have the mountains in your backyard for some quick getaways this summer. Sending our best to you both!
Hi, Laurel,
Like you and Eric, we’ve been blessed with the gift of travel throughout our beautiful country. There’s still a lot out there to explore and we hope to get back to it soon. I look forward to reading about your current adventure so, please stay in touch and stay safe out there. Joe
I’ve always loved the soothing sound of water whether in the form of ocean waves lapping the shore or the cheerful gurgle of a flowing creek. Waterfalls are particularly entrancing – that combination of beauty, sound and motion is hard to resist. Each one has its own personality, too, which makes all of them even more fascinating. We visited Niagara Falls when the kids were young and thoroughly enjoyed our Maid of the Mist adventure, too! Loved your beautiful photos, Joe – thanks for sharing! Hugs to you and Helen!
Good morning, Mary,
Each waterfall has a personality of its own–I couldn’t agree more. If there is one near me, I have to check it out. I had forgotten that I had a video from our trip to Niagara Falls, and after I dug it up, I must have viewed it ten times. Thanks for stopping by, and please stay in touch. Joe