This was another shot from my Christmas Day hike to the summit of Blood Mountain. I took this one on the way down and along the southern flank of the mountain. There are several bare rocky spots on the side of the mountain which is where this was taken. Luckily, it was not too icy along the rock parts. No one in our group fell, but we heard there were some that did.
The start of the trail to Debord and Emory Gap Falls starts at the end of the main road into Frozen Head State Park. From there, the trail parallels the stream bed most of the way to the base of both sets of falls. Unfortunately, I decided to visit the falls during a very dry spell and most of the water was flowing under the stream bed instead of in it. I was able to get a few shots of some of the pools of water along the stream, but I thought the empty riverbed looked pretty neat also.
I was walking along Gay Street one evening when I ran across this building. I thought the reflections were pretty good in the building. I tried to get a shot of the other building too, but there were not any good angles.
I was out taking photos of icicles when it was really cold this winter. No, it was not the same time as I shoot The Frozen Waterfall, but it was still real cold. I was making my way down from some cliffs up the side of a hill when I noticed this one random icicle. There were no others near it and it did not appear there was really enough water to support this one.
I found this little gem of a waterfall along Salacoa Creek. There is no real waterfall here, just a lot of water draining off the cliffs. However, with the blisteringly cold weather we had this winter, it made some pretty good ice falls. I took my youngest along to this one. She thought it was great, but too cold. You could feel the decrease in temperature as you got closer to the ice.
Yay, it’s been three years. Hard to believe, but we made it. Not too many missed days, many miles and adventures later it has definitely been fun. Sometimes it has been taxing on resources, mainly sleep, to make sure these make it out there. I would not trade the experiences I have had for anything. Truly capturing memories for a lifetime.
The next few months will really stretch my abilities to juggle. Some of my family and I have decided to make a trek through the Great Smoky Mountains via the Appalachian trail. Not only am I having to train for 70 plus miles in 10 days, I have to make sure everything is in working order. Can’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the time and capture some more memories.
I think this was one of the easiest hikes that I have ever done. The entire trail is paved from the road to the falls. The only difficulty that a disabled person may have is at the falls themselves. There is a small foot bridge across the middle of the falls and a small step down. Other than that, an easy path to walk or take a wheel chair. Although I think having a paved path in the forest takes a little away from it, it is more than made up in the fact that wonders such as this can be visited by those less mobile.
I decided to take the kids on a hike around Gator Lake in St. Andrews State Park. We got about a quarter of the way around the lake when the trail was completely covered in water and there was no other way to go. This was at the end. I kept expecting an alligator to surge up out of the water and chase us away. It is hard to explain how the water was clear, yet dirty.
I was driving out the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway from Boise one afternoon when I stopped to shoot this bridge. I was trying to find a good spot when I ran across these skis. There was no name and I can only imagine what happened. However, the view was beautiful and peaceful.
I was driving some back roads and ran across this little barn / falling down building and a gate. I thought the surroundings were just perfect. No one had kept up with the yard / landscaping and it fit real well with the dilapidated look of the building.
Another shot from my adventures in Knoxville. This was a challenging building to capture during the evening. It is all lit up and then everything around it is dark. Made for some fun time.
