August 15, 2006

Falling water

buttermilkfalls

I can't take the heat. So on August weekends, I prefer hiking trails that wind along streams, trails that lead to waterfalls and pools of cold water. Just the sound of water beating against rock and sloshing downstream makes me feel cooler. Even though trails that follow gorges tend to be a bit more strenuous -- we are always walking up or down a steep incline -- it's worth the extra sweat to be able to stop to wade in cold clear water or duck our heads into the spraying mist of a waterfall or plunge right into rushing chilly water.

Last weekend, we explored a quiet trail that took us past several waterfalls, with a shallow stream that was perfect for wading. Shaggy Hair Boy looked at the first waterfall carefully before deciding to slide down the rock with all that water. Even just sitting on the rocks near the waterfalls was delightfully cool, and the patches of sun on the flat rock felt great after we were wet.

The kids had started the hike at a fast pace, pulling way ahead of their parents, but soon they stopped to skip stones and play in the water. On a bridge that crossed the stream, the kids began playing a game with Shaggy Hair's sandals -- tossing the sandals upstream and letting them float downstream a little way before performing dramatic rescues. I took some photos, explored one of the waterfalls, and then sat on a rock in the shade with my husband. A lazy August afternoon.

abridge

If you look carefully, you can see all four of my children in this photo. Boy in Black is in the black shirt, of course, With-a-Why in the red shirt, Shaggy Hair in the blue shirt, and my Wonderful Smart Beautiful Daughter is sitting in the shadows under the bridge.

22 comments:

Marni said...

Beautiful - simply beautiful.

PG said...

Looks really beautiful! I'm sure it would be amazing in the Fall too.

Chip said...

nothing like a nice waterfall to cool off on a hot day!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures. Wishing there was a nice place that around here with water that's actually cool.

ccw said...

Such beautiful pictures! I love the one with all the kids.

Anonymous said...

It's hard to believe these beautiful children are the same ones that are farming you out a a freak show. (I hold a grudge)

Yankee, Transferred said...

I cool off just looking at that water. What a great photo of your kids!

Leslee said...

Sounds like just what a person needs on these dog-days of summer!

RageyOne said...

Lovely photos!

Rebecca said...

I am in awe, not just of the scenery (OMG, waterfalls!), but of the activity. What a great way for a family to spend time together.

Mona Buonanotte said...

I bet that water tastes really good...mmm....

Liz Miller said...

Georgeous.

molly said...

Great pictures. It seems like everyone in your family actually gets along and likes each other. When we're all together, there's yelling, screaming, and general mayhem. I'd never get a picture like this one, we'd have scared all the tranquility away!

Silver Creek Mom said...

You live in God's Country. Very Nice.

And I love that your kids still think it is cool to HIKE with their parents.

Amber said...

I am amazed at the amount of time your kids spend with you. They really like you. That seems to be quite an achievement with teenagers. I mostly enjoyed time with my parents when I was a teenager, but I don't recall many of my friends feeling the same way.

How do you do it? My kids won't be teenagers for a decade, but I have a feeling that what I do know will make a difference then.

nancy said...

You always have such beautiful photos...I've been savouring your entire summer's worth of pictures, absolutely stunning, yet full of love and personality.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

What a lovely afternoon! Beautiful shot of all four children too. We love to take the same kind of hike.

Unknown said...

We seem to agree on how to spend a summer afternoon. Sounds (and looks) like a wonderful day.

Marie said...

Gorgeous pictures! And you seem to have such a great relationship with your kids. I bet it's because you just enjoy watching the sandal game rather than telling them to stop and that Shaggy Hair was going to lose his sandals and blah, blah, blah. What a Mom!

Gannet Girl said...

What magnificent photos.

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Wonderful, once again, I'm jealous!! I've been working so hard I haven't had time for much fun!! :-D

I love this kind of stuff!!! YAY!

Kristen said...

Those pictures are gorgeous. The kids together, the background, the waterfall. It's all so amazing.