Margarette Falls, TN

My dog ate it?

Looking back, I see I began my last post with an apology for it being delayed a mere week. Well, let me apologize for this 28-week delay; it’s been a good and productive 7 months. I wish I could say I had gotten a dog since my last post, but the truth is less adorable – I’m a lazy man with a busy schedule. That makes for a time-consuming combination.

A lot has happened in my life since last October. I moved into an apartment. I got a promotion. I lost a little weight. I bought a new pack (don’t worry, you’ll see it in a moment). And I finished another semester at ETSU. Whew. I think that’s it – the important things, anyway. Oh, wait--

            I found the love of my life.

I'll spare you, my faithful readers, a long, Sparksian description of the love that has captured my heart. Diana and I met on OkCupid and for those of you who haven’t met her in person, you will do so in this post. I could type far more than you’re willing to read about how amazing she is, but her willingness to tolerate my adventurous lifestyle and mischievous nature is a better demonstration than I could provide.

So I haven’t posted in a while – my bad! Moving on…

A few weeks ago, on the first very warm day of 2013, Diana and I decided to hike to Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN. Considering the rain during the two days prior to our hike, I reasoned that the falls would be at full volume – for once, I was actually right.

This hike began a bit differently than to which I’m accustomed – breakfast. Traveling on TN State Route 107, we stopped at the Farmer’s Daughter to eat our fill before our hike (good idea, Booher). For those unfamiliar, the Farmer’s Daughter serves “home-cooking” country style and it’s amazing – breakfast was great and we picked up a few items at the bulk foods store next door. It was only a 20-minute-drive from there to the trailhead - not nearly long enough to digest such a hearty meal.

We were disappointed to find plenty of other cars parked at the trailhead, but we didn’t let the crowded trail ruin our fun. The hike to the falls is about 2.4 miles out-and-back. The first ½-mile is wide, flat, and graveled, the easiest part of the trail, by far – except Diana and I both clumsily turned an ankle on this, the tamest section. After the ½-mile, the trail forks, with the left fork heading into the rugged gorge carved by the West Fork of Dry Creek. The “west” part might be true, but the “dry” part certainly wasn’t – as I had hoped, there was plenty of water flowing.

 

 

 

The next 0.7 mile was a bit steeper and less urbanized than the trail before. Though we were treated to a very nice bridge about a third of the way through the gorge, the trail presented sketchy footing at times. I suspect the recent rains made a mess of things. Nonetheless, we made good time, stopping only to take pictures (and a work-related phone call).

My boy Adam Poff called me on the trail.

Not long after our only creek crossing (I skipped across the rocks, Diana just waded it), we made it to the falls. Two families had beaten us to it, but the experience was breathtaking nevertheless. Margarette Falls drops over 80 feet from the cliffs above in a voluminous display. The families soon departed and we found that we had the falls all to ourselves. Plenty of pictures were taken, fun was had, it was great.



Margarette Falls



 

 

 

We made our way to the base of the falls to take some pictures after our previous attempts weren’t satisfactory (women, right?). I set up my camera on its Gorillapod and snapped a few great wall-hangers – when I reached to remove the camera from the tripod, it popped off, flying several feet, smashing into a rock, and tumbling into the creek.

I stood, in shock. I just stared at the pool where the camera had fallen. Diana didn’t miss a beat, bless her heart, and quickly maneuvered to the water’s edge to retrieve the camera. The SD-card was fine (duh), but the camera was not. The lens was stuck open and it wouldn’t turn on again.

I now have a much better camera and actually managed to get the old one to turn on – but the lens is garbage. She served me well. After 3 usages of the accidental replacement plan I purchased at Best Buy, I can say that I put those cameras through more than they were due.

Despite losing a camera, it was a wonderful hike. As I’ve mentioned before, I mostly prefer to hike alone. It affords me a degree of solitude and a time of reflection and prayer that aren’t as readily available Inside The Wire. But I’ve found that the only thing that can improve a beautiful hike amidst beautiful scenery in the most beautiful part of the world is a beautiful companion.

 

Awww...

Thanks for reading!

P.S. I discovered the following Monday that my good friend Brian and his adorable family had hiked the same trail less than an hour after we had. Sorry we missed you, Arsenaults!