Monday, April 12, 2010

Down in the Hollar

The joy of blogging is that you meet wonderful people that you might never have met if you hadn't started this crazy thing called a blog. Now we might have met Brittni because she is the daughter of Morgan's teacher and a substitute teacher herself, but I don't know if we would have been invited to go "down in the Hollar" by her if she hadn't been introduced to my blog and found me and Morgan to be true naturalist type folk.
When Brittni called and asked if we would like to go for a nature walk we jumped on it but had no idea the adventure we were about to be treated to. First I want to say, thank you Brittni, you are a wonderful inspiration for all young women. Hold to your values and keep being who you are. You will go far!
This is the google map photo of where we were. That is one heck of a Hollar!Here is the terrain view......and the red dots are my interpretation of where we walked. I may be a little off at the start and distance but you get the picture! It was a hike and a half. If I'm right we walked nearly a mile one way...but it sure did seem longer.This is probably the longest blog I've ever posted so I'll try to keep wordage to a minimum.
The start of our walk was a steep descent.Morgan and Brittni heading down.There were so many beautiful wildflowers along the way.Right at the bottom we were treated to the falls. There were a number of them.
This is where Brittni grew up, she is right at home here in the Hollar.Our first challenge was getting down to the rocks. The normal route was blocked by a tree that had fallen in a storm so we clung to roots and small trees as we crawled precariously along a cliff above the water. Huge boulders littered the stream.Walking was tricky. Moss and wet rocks are well know by naturalists to be very slick, so we knew to keep clear. Not one fall was made by the three adventurers.Of course with Brittni being such a dear, there were a lot of helping hands and "yes Mams"!
Her parents must be so proud...they sure raised her right!I heard some birds in the woods, some Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, and Red-bellied Woodpeckers but the most we could hear was running water. Not a bad trade-off.There were trees growing out of rocks......and rocks growing out of rocks!Every now and then we'd take a short break for those who were young at heart......who were looking for wood fairies that like to slide on natural slides.We found a heart shaped rock placed there by God just for nature lovers.This is an all white butterfly we found...the best shot I could get before it flew away. If it is a West Virginia White it will be right on the edge of it's range.Brittni and Morgan. Two sweet, beautiful young women.Farewell, till we meet again...Hollar at ya later!!!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great place for a hike, lots of water features and logs and plenty of plants to shoot.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Oh, Eve. What a fabulous adventure for you and Morgan. Brittni is a sweetheart of a gal to treat you to such an enchanted look at the area. I'm in awe, truly. This is amazing - your photos of water and flower and trees and fairy slides and white butterflies. All the makings of a wonderful children's book, yes? Thank you so much for sharing this with us all!

Anonymous said...

Thats just a beautiful place to walk Evie.

FAB said...

Superb location. I bet it felt like you were in another world.

Jenny said...

What a wonderful walk Evie.Amazing scenery at every turn! Nature blogging is the best! (-: I'm glad you and Morgan found Brittni or that she found you two!

Mike Simmons said...

Thanks Eve for posting this! A nice adventure in a beautiful setting. It looks like the three of you really had fun!

Rural Rambler said...

Great blog Eve! Lots of wonderful pictures and Morgan and Brittni look like they are enjoying the adventure. And now we all have a new blog to check out and read. I don't think I have ever seen a Hollar that beautiful! The header is every bit as awesome as I thought it would be. Just so very cool.

Brittni said...

Eve, your pictures came out stunning! I am also glad that we were able to take this adventure. I had a great time too.

Mary said...

What a wonderful place! How fortunate you are that she could guide you there and show you all those beautiful things. The girls look like they enjoyed it, too. Lovely falls and flowers.

Bluekat said...

What a wonderful place to explore. The scenery is stunning! Great post - thanks for sharing it with us!!

ps I have a little collection of heart shaped rocks, and I love to take pics of the ones I don't pack home. (I thought I should leave a few for others to find!)

Carolynn Anctil said...

Looks like a great day. I've always wondered where the Hollar was...now if I could just find Down Yonder, I'd be set.

Unknown said...

Eve:

meeting other bloggers and enjoying a day with nature is priceless.

bob
Wet Coast Scootin

Peggy said...

I'd never been to a hollar but would if I could! Looks like a great place for wonderful surprises! Loved your post today!

kerry hawkins art and photo said...

I love your adventures and all the photos you take along the way

Rick said...

Nice pics. I've made some good friends that I wonder if I will ever meet face to face this side of heaven. Facebook and my blog has been a great adventure in that way.

Danni said...

Beautiful pictures and a beautiful day. And wow, is it my imagination or has Morgan grown? The shot of her walking down the hill makes her look very tall. And she's so poised in all those other shots. Sniff...."our" baby is growing up, Eve!!!! :-)