Hiking Black River Gorge

So we went hiking in the Black River Gorge today.  We get there and are trying to figure out where to go and what path to hike on blah blah blah.  We start by looking for the promised visitor center, we follow a German couple to a building that looks like it might be what we want but upon further inspection it looked more like a prison under construction.  By that time Mom has taken the lead (surprise, surprise) and the couple is following us.  We walk to another building and walk in, there is a map on the wall and a few trail descriptions in this little tiny room.  We are thinking that there is no one to explain it to us when a man walks in and starts telling us about the different trails.  After looking at a few different trails we decide on one that is only 3 kilometers one way and ends in a waterfall and bonus the little plaque about it says that it is only moderate difficulty. So we start off!  

Dad immediately goes off way ahead of us, a man on a mission trying to find the well marked trail that we were promised.  Even though the path we were following was wide and easy to see we weren't sure if we were walking down the intended trail.  It is kind of hard to see in this picture but the road was very rocky and a little hard to keep your footing, I was very glad that I had nice sandals (thanks Mrs. Kristy!)

We continued walking, a little ways on we had to cross over a bridge that had water flowing over it so my feet got wet, once again the sandals were a blessing.  I thought  "oh if this is all the little man ment when he said you have to cross the river a few times this is no big deal!  It is actually kind of cool and refreshing."  Oh innocent Celina, you're so cute.  

 Stopped for a kiss and water break.

We found a trail marker and headed off on a separate path taking us to the trail we were wanting to be on.  Before long we were walking up stream right through the water, it was a little hard to keep your footing but not that bad.  

 After a lot of hiking up hill through the woods we had to actually start crossing the river.  We had to cross quite a few times during the adventure.

 One of the places we had to cross.

 Ahh the cool water (rocks are actually quite comfy if you can find a good nook to settle your bum into)

 The trail was a lot of climbing down steep banks into rocky water.

 Although the rocks were pretty hard to maneuver through it was still fun.

 Some of the beautiful pathways we got to walk through.

I think it is a sign from God ;).  

 We also crossed through a few overgrown viny areas.

 Lots and lots of big rocks.

 Some of the view through the trees during part of the adventure.

So after climbing up and up and up and crossing the river a bunch of times Mom and I just sat down on some rocks in the middle of a stream ready to give up all hope of seeing the waterfall.  Dad (the goal oriented one), couldn't just give up without a fight so we waited while he went ahead to see if it was near by.  After about twenty minutes he came back and said that there was no hope in sight.  So we decided we had seen enough beauty and it was time to head back.  The trip there (where ever there was) took about an hour and thirty minutes.  The trip back down was a lot shorter (only like and hour) and it was so much easier.  After we started to figure out how to easily maneuver around the rocks it was easier, and down is better than up.  When we got back to the main path which on the beginning of the hike I thought was awful with all the rocks it felt like a walk in the park. We got to see some really beautiful things and it wasn't super sunny and my feet were always wet so I didn't even sweat very much.  I just have to say I hate mosquitoes, they are awful! Plus the bites are going to stay with you for a while after the trip, get dirty? Oh well you can just shower when you get back, get tired? oh well you can take a nap and rest later, get wet? Oh well you will dry, slip while crossing the river and break a leg? slap a cast on that baby and move on with life, but get bitten by a mosquito? That is going to be with you for DAYS! And they were EVERYWHERE!  The bites seemed to not itch so much after swimming in the pool though so that is good.       

After the hike we decided to drive up the a different area to see a different view.  WOW!  This was just on the side of the road! I know if I was a better photographer and had a better camera you might be able to actually see the beauty that I got to see.  But even with my poopy skills and lake of equipment you can still see the beauty shinning through!      

By the time all of those things were done we were hungry and tired and dirty and hungry and thirsty and hungry.  

We had to stop by the grocery store on the way home and bam right behind the parking lot is the beautiful mountain.  This island is so beautiful!  Yeah I know I didn't even hold my camera straight to take this picture oh well.  

Well that's all!  I should be posting soon some pictures of the place we are staying and the views that we have here!