Hooker Falls changes

Different flow of water when I visited first in February 2009.  Notice all the rocks that show!

2019 flow much heavier.

Since 2009, many changes have happened.  More parking for one, portapotties for another. (And now I see they are building a real bathroom for visitors, but it wasn't open yet.) A footbridge for people to get from parking lot to the path which goes up to Triple Falls is also pretty new.

For all the 10 years I've been visiting (and not even every year) by driving the 50 miles from my home to that parking lot, there are some fun stories.  Like the February visit with 2 other friends, when I locked my keys in the car, and we waited and waited till AAA came to unlock the car, only to find they hadn't been in my purse in the trunk after all.  They were way down at the bottom of my back jeans pocket.  In the hour that I stood around, one friend at least slid herself around on the icy walk over to the river, but none of us made it to the falls that trip.  I was glad that she got to see the river at least, because I shared some of her "visits to water" in that year, her last in this lifetime.

2019, one of the men who was rafting over the falls!

This year I visited and saw 2 men go over in a kayak and a raft (respectively).  2 years ago I was with my son on his one day visit from Ohio...which certainly was a lovely thing...but a bit hurried of course. We tried waking up to Triple Falls, but I didn't have the stamina for that.  I had done it back in 2009 though!

I may try Triple Falls later in the year.  Who knows.

The bridges over The Little River

What a bit of water was flowing the other day...not at flood any more, but still above regular flow.  All the sand on the paths told that they had also provided beds for water to flow when the rain had been heavy last week.

 I went to Hooker Falls, a much easier path for me!

 The bridge/roadway where all non-foot traffic can go over the river!  It used to be the only crossing, and was quite dangerous for pedestrians!

Walking down to Hooker Falls...it's merely a quarter mile I think.

A surprise at Hooker Falls

 Unfortunately the video of the man in the raft going over the falls was too big to post here.

 Man gesturing to the falls has just come down them in the orange raft...backward, and fell out at the impact at the bottom.  He quickly got back into raft, and held on to the paddle!

 Woman with 2 children didn't seem to be involved, but was like me, observing this craziness.

 Another man will take the raft back up the river by land, then repeat the process...much like sledding down hills!

It's not just awkward, but apparently heavy too.

The hill coming up from the falls, I noticed the young woman continued to carry her child on her back and climbed this hill without stopping.  I was surprised that I could slowly climb it without stopping also.

 Last look at the falls from the road.

The raft is about to be put in again by the guy who hauled it up the path.

Flat Creek soothes my soul

 Rapids pour over a new dam that was made in the summertime...and still hasn't fallen to the rushing water or logs of this wet season.

 The waters were certain of their direction, always moving down, around and over rocks that got in their way.

To sit on a rock beside the stream

 An easy choice for me, where I can bend to sit, and get back up without falling in the water!

 This rock has been smoothed by the water many years.

 The rough edges of this rock show it hasn't been underwater, or perhaps it's broken apart many times.

Water smooths the edges of rocks, as they tumble against each other for years.

The bridge over Flat Creek

 It looks cobbled together out of sticks...

 But thankfully there are a couple of big wood power poles under the planks.

 The water was high after a long rain the day before.

Oh glorious sunshine! The bridge is barely visible just at the end of visible water. 

Historic Asheville

 I don't know what the castle type building was, but perhaps a hotel.

Asheville more old photos

1911 people listening to World Series.

Is this in Asheville or did I save an English village on the wrong folder?

More vintage photos of Ashevile

Since I posted the first batch, I have lost the link to where I got these photos on line originally, so I don't have details about them. But if you can be patient, then just enjoy them as being early Asheville photos.

 The French Broad River crossing following the Civil War, when bridges had been burned...

The Fire Department in Asheville.

 Looking toward Vance Memorial obelisk and Court House.

I think this is the Baptist Church.

Victory parade at end of WW I. 1919

 "The Citizen" newspaper building with writing across it.