ImDownWithDisney 342 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 We spent a long weekend at our local park and CG. I had to work the previous weekend, so I had a 4 day weekend. On Wednesday I got up at 0245 and headed to work.....I wanted to leave after lunch to get up to the CG early. We rolled into the CG about 4pm and scored our favorite pull thru....w00t.I quickly hooked up everything, and the girls started what would be a nearly non-stop bike riding session.Our siteMy wife had to work Thurs and Fri, and the oldest DD had to go to school. So me and DD5 spend some time playing and hiking each day.We did a nice gorge hike on Thursday. We went downriver and crossed over Black Creek at a rocky spot. The water level is really low right now. Sometimes, it is so fast that falling in would mean almost certain death. FWIW, a lot of people have died here over the years.We continued downstream past many overhung cliffs and crags. The Cherokee were prevalent in this area. Many of the rock roofs are still stained black with soot from fires. Ancient writings are said to be in the area, but I have not found any yet.The hiking trail is about 1.5 miles long and winds along the creek on both sides and under the falls. The trail used to maintained and had a guide book. There are markers at various points of interest. Unfortunately, the park no longer has the guide books available. I have looked online for a copy, but no luck yet. I really hope they start publishing them again.My hiking partner...she loves it and is very agile. She does really well in keeping up with me.Black CreekWe saw this turtle munching on moss while we were taking a breakAs we were hiking she was supposed to be on the lookout for arrowheads, and I was looking for snakes......we did not find either.We wrapped up our hike after about an hour. When we got back to the camper the dog laid under it for an hour and did not move.We did a lot of chilling on Friday. Friday evening we had some friends up for burgers and hot dogs.That evening I took our kids and theirs on a short hike down to a spot where I had found an old Indian fish trap.I really enjoy hiking and teaching the girls about nature. DD5 seems more appreciative of it than DD6. She is a little too much like her mother ;-)So far DD5 can spot poison oak, rhododendron, mountain laurel, sandstone, and conglomerate stone.Here are some pics from around the CGThe check in cabin is the first building on the left...one of the 2 CS's is just past itAnother of the CSSome of the partial sitesThe first of the full hookup sitesThe other CS and a meeting pavilion just past it.More full hookup sitesOn Sat both girls went with me on a hike under the fallsHere's bit of info about the history of the fallshttp://nocfalls.city...com/Legend.htmlMy crewIt's pretty cool underneath so much rockWider look from underneathThe older folks on the Gadsden history website talk about a huge cave down in the gorge that was used as a speakeasy during prohibition. It was said to have been a really happening spot. It was supposedly shut down by the revenuers and sealed up later on.I looked for signs of it, but didn't see anything. I plan on search a lot more on our next trip.There was also a dam and old mill further down the creek. I found the some foundations and iron from it.Here is Lizzy holding on to an iron rod that is hammered into a large rockOn Sat evening we had my mom and grandparents of for dinner. I grilled filet mignon and corn on the grill and boiled up some new potatoes. The wife made blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I was stuffed after all of that.Unfortunately, rain was in the forecast for Sat night and Sunday. We woke up to rain, but I had already put most of the stuff in the camper. I had a little bit of work to do then we rolled on out.Other than the rain it was a great little get-a-way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Those trails and waterfalls look beautiful! Your hiking partner is pretty darn cute too. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Disneyzombie-Brenda 10 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 You just brought back some fond memories. About 35 years ago we lived on Lookout St. just behind the falls. There used to be an ice cream stand at the entrance to the park...my girls loved to walk there and get grape ice cream. We lived in the Gadsden area four years, moved back to Ohio in 1978. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 Looks like a great campground! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImDownWithDisney 342 Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 You just brought back some fond memories. About 35 years ago we lived on Lookout St. just behind the falls. There used to be an ice cream stand at the entrance to the park...my girls loved to walk there and get grape ice cream. We lived in the Gadsden area four years, moved back to Ohio in 1978.Was it the Noccalula Nik Nak?http://collections.a...MB=1&DMROTATE=0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Look's like God's country! Nice looking campground too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Disneyzombie-Brenda 10 Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Was it the Noccalula Nik Nak?http://collections.a...MB=1&DMROTATE=0I think that was it! We still have family in the Southside/Rainbow City area, we visited just before Christmas two years ago for a wedding. We took the little ones to see Santa at the falls. That was really nice. We went by our old house,the neighborhood was really showing it's age. Mitchell School where my oldest went to second and third grade really looks old. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Looks like a great spot. I love reading about the history of an area like the Prohibition bit you mentioned. Fascinating stuff. I hope we are leading lives interesting enough that people will want to talk about it someday. For good reasons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hey- I missed this little report.Great job!What a great looking campground.I love how your 5 year old tagged along and how much she is learning.I hope that you keep looking for that old speakeasy- that would be really cool for you to find.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polkadotsuitcase 12 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Looks like a fun trip! Scenery (and companions) are beautiful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rdancemom... Pam 113 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Love the waterfall pics. Looks like a great place to enjoy a long restful weekend... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ImDownWithDisney 342 Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks for the comments. It really is a nice place to spend the weekend, and it is less than 20 minutes from our house too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
babets 0 Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Nice TR, thanks for sharing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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