Chasing Waterfalls

 Jason and I topped off our Fall themed anniversary celebration with a trip to find waterfalls in the fall. Despite the drought, we were treated with many beautiful displays on our hikes through Tennessee and Kentucky. Leading up to the Burgess finale, we collected Falling Water Cascades, Pipeline, and Hemlock along with my fave, Cummins in Cookeville. The Cummins trail winds down into the gorge then criss-crosses the river until reaching the falls and pool. The path isn't marked since it changes with the river, making it an observe-the-struggles-of-those-who-go-before-and-adjust-accordingly type adventure. It was gorge-ous. 

Lunch at Thai Kitchen in Paducah

Pipeline Falls

Hemlock Falls

Burgess Falls (at less than half power)

River Tracing

I made my bed

Cummins Falls

I went that way. It was slippery. 

Falling Water Cascades

Fall Creek Falls was the driest, but had a fun albeit very strenuous trail, "for prepared hikers," down to the base of the falls that felt almost like climbing down into a volcano. Here, we added Fall Creek, Piney, Rockhouse, Cane Creek, and Cascades to our collection. My left boot lost its sole at the bottom of Fall Creek Falls making the climb up more adventurous than expected. 

Piney Creek Trail

Ready to go down into the basin behind us

My new boots took me to the bottom of Ozone Falls where the '94 Disney's live action Jungle Book was filmed. Water was super low here, but still a tremendous hike, even in new shoes. 

Next we hit the "Niagra of the South" at Cumberland Falls missing the moonbow phenomenon by a day. We were treated to a rainbow and the antics of a brave river otter above the falls. Just across from Cumberland was our most tiring hike over an Appalachian peak and then down into the basin of Eagle Falls followed by a trek out to the barely dripping Yahoo falls and arch. We hit 20K steps and navigated over 100 flights of elevation this day. We opted for the overlook of Natural Arch on our drive home, stopping for street tacos which we enjoyed along the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville. I'm so grateful my heart cooperated allowing me to pretend to be a real hiker for a few days. Most of all, I'm grateful for this time to play together and remember our yes.

View of Cumberland from Eagle Falls Trail

Yahoo Arch

I guess we'll go over it

Natural Arch

Three R's

The first cog to drop into the academic routine wheel was Gigi's sophomore year startup. She's already landed a role in the fall musical and picked up the alto saxophone. She plans to stick with choir and speech & debate and has joined the garden & beekeepers club. She attended a homecoming dance this weekend with a young man she met while doing theater. She knitted his boutonniere. As I write, I can hear her directing/choreographing one of her myriad filming projects in our basement with a group of friends and earlier today she showed me the Lego stop-motion movie she created for her Theology class on the book of Genesis. 

Alex moved into a row house for his senior year at Benedictine. The new awe inspiring library is complete. Its classical architecture is influenced by Independence Hall including a replica of the Assembly Room and Liberty Bell. I teared up walking in, wished I'd brought a blazer, and surely osmosed knowledge by sheer proximity. Alex was cast in a fall play too so we're already planning a return visit. 

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom

Uncracked Side

First Day of Senior Year

Ben too has hit the books. He has begun his Masters in Theology at the Augustine Institute as a distance learner. Jason built him a desk under Alex's loft to get away from the constant birdsong in our house. He continues his work as a 3rd grade catechist, his shift working after care at the Y, volunteering in the spiritual department at the hospital, and is almost finished writing his young adult fiction novel. 

Jason was asked to sing at a wedding at the Old Cathedral beneath the Arch. Not knowing the wedding colors, he wasn't sure what tie to wear but Alex had just given him a purple one for Father's Day, so he went with that. It worked out perfectly, blue with purple accents. 

After more than three months of having my Pots symptoms well controlled, I had a minor surgical procedure that triggered a relapse and have to restart my treatment plan. Bummer. But remember, Jenny, He does all things well.