We took both dogs up the trail to Catawba Falls to see the waterfall.
Along the way, my son watched for edible treats the woods had to offer.
While my eyes scan for heart shaped rocks or stones to craft a riverbank fairy, he is on the lookout for mushrooms and berries.
While he found very few on this walk, he marks the spots where they were to check back later.
Molly was a perfect trail dog. Dorothy needed a lift for a great deal of the way.
Although she did enjoy the trip, even if her tiny legs needed a break. I am going to get a sling/carrier for her for future trips. Since her littermate and mama died, she can’t be left behind, the poor girl needs to have us around.
I see more hiking in her future.
While we found the scenery scrumptious, we were far from the only viewers. This place was packed as you got up toward the higher spots. The trails that led upward weren’t bad, but once you hit the start of the falls, it gets crowded as everyone stops to enjoy them.
Because of the Covid upticks, we wanted to avoid being in a mass of humanity, so we settled into a little rocky pool, not too high up where we had a private place to enjoy the river and still see the falls up in the distance.
I applaud people for wanting to be in outdoor locations now, but man. That was a lot of them! Still, we had many peaceful moments. You can skirt crowds if you make an effort.
And if there are going to be multitudes of hikers passing by, I probably should consider wearing makeup. Oh well.
Downtown Asheville is equally busy, but we managed a scenic hike through it while keeping mostly distant, and masking.
It’s been years since I had time to check out the area, and it’s not just vibrant and bust, it’s funky and fun too.
My favorite building?
My son did the carpentry trim on this one, of course it gets my vote!
He also made rock fairies with me while we relaxed at the falls. What a sweet son.