Thursday, July 5, 2018

Beating the Heat with a Waterfall and a Mine

I've blogged about hiking to the Cascades before, but it was about 7 years ago.  We were overdue for a visit.  It's always much cooler there.  We left at around 6:30 in the morning to get an early start. 
 It can get crowded at the Cascades, but we timed it right and there weren't many people around.  It's a two mile hike to get to the falls.

 I have never been there when the water was warm.  Even though temps all week had been in the mid 90s, you can see from Cort's face that the water was shockingly cold.

 The falls are higher than they look in the pictures.  This one of Cort at the base gives you a better idea of their height. 

I fell on some wet rock steps on the hike back and busted my elbow.  While I tried to clean it up with a first aid kit, the boys discovered butterflies all over.  Here, Reid had two that landed on his hands. 

Aside from the crash down the steps, it was a fun hike.  Afterwards, we took a massive detour to go to the Beckley Coal Mine Expedition.  I had fond memories of a visit there with my cousins when I was a kid.  Here are the boys getting ready to ride down into the mine.
I think the boys were impressed by the history on our tour.  They asked a lot of questions.  It was a full day, but one we all enjoyed. 

17 comments:

Tom said...

...I'm glad that you found a way to cool off, it sure has been HOT.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Great fun foe a hot day! Except for your fall. Are you alright now? Those falls are HUGE, looking at the picture of Cort in front of them. Otherwise I would never have known. So great that you managed to snap Rid with the butterflies; that is a great picture. I never heard of this coal mine. You do know how to find cool places.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Lisa, I just read that they are having a balloon celebration with tethered rides and regular rides, and kid's activities. Wish I could remember the details now. It is in Lexington again, either at the horse center or across from it. Tomorrow and Saturday. Morning and evening flights. It is called The Rockingham something or other. I hope you can find it. I so much wish we could meet there!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Lisa, here is the info. "Balloons Over Rockbridge Festival". Oak Hill Field, Maury River Rd. Near the Va. Horse Center, Lexington. Both Friday and Saturday. Evening starts at 6:00.

Here is the website....www.balloonsoverrockbridge.com

Linda said...

Wonderful pictures! Be careful out there!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Which Cascades are those? Don't think we have seen them. VERY PRETTY...

Sorry about your Fall. Hope your elbow is okay...

VERY hot here too --but today they say we will get some rain and finally, some cooler temps.

Hugs,
Betsy

Lin said...

Beautiful hike! I want to get out east to do some camping/hiking one of these days.

Bummer about the elbow! What do they do for that?? Just stabilize it?? I hope you are feeling better soon. Summer is NOT a good time to be down with a broken bone.

I can't believe how grown up the boys are! OMG...it's like they just sprouted!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Wow, those falls are beautiful! .. when my kids were younger I loved exploring places like this with them. You're a wonderful mother, they'll cherish these adventures always.

Sally said...

Your boys are growing! So cute, always.

I love how you and Paul give them such fabulous experiences. Sorry about your elbow though. ouch!

xoxo

Out on the prairie said...

Hoping you heal quick. What a great hike and love the butterflies being so passive.I have cracked both of mine, once high jumping and once wrestling.

Nancy Chan said...

Such a nice, cool place to take the boys on a hot day! I hope your elbow is healing.

Harry Flashman said...

That waterfall looks like the one just down from my place, especially the shallow, rocky places at the bottom where the kids are playing. Sorry you fell. We had a lady walking on the upper falls in the next county, and she slipped and went over. That was the end of her. So at least it wasn't that bad!

mizztraveller said...

very cute kids
they are lucky to have you :>

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Sorry about your elbow. Looks like it was a fun day full of beautiful sights!
I have to say the boys are looking so grown up. Time is going by too fast. I'm finally going to be a grandmother in October. (I'll be 67 in October) I've waited a long time for this.

Terra Heck said...

The pictures of the falls are beautiful. Looks like such a pretty place.

Annette said...

What a cool hike and to see so many butterflies, too! Those falls are amazing. I'm with you...6:30 a.m. sounds like the perfect time to go out exploring!

Unknown said...

I see what you mean by those waterfalls and Cort's facial expression gave me a laugh! :D