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Seven Hollows Loop Hike Only Has Four Hollows (Day 114)

bkdunn — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:52:04 +0000

Knowing that, you’d think I wouldn’t have been surprised when a hike billed as “4 to 4 1/2 hours” took two. I guess I wasn’t shocked, actually. It was clearly a hike meant for tourists and it was only 4.5 miles long, just that 4.5 miles in Vermont time could actually *be* a four-hour hike.

And then it turns out this wasn’t the best day to be there. You’ll catch onto that in a second.

See, cuz on a day when its wet enough for water to be flowing here, this photo actually becomes pretty.

Departing the grotto.

Blue arrow points the way.

Because otherwise this post would’ve seemed light on photos.

It *was* a beautiful day and not a bad one for a walk, even if the one scenic part wasn’t performing. I got to the trailhead about 7 and was the first one there. Ended the hike at about 9:15 and the lot was full — probably 30 cars. It’s nice to be the first one on the trail sometimes.

I kind of like the blue arrow photo. Huh.

bkd

PS, This was in Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas, where I’d stayed the night before. Now you know.

Cedar Creek Falls at Petit Jean Park (Day 113)

bkdunn — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:59:20 +0000

Spent most of the day driving through various states (MO-KS-OK-AR), but ended up in Arkansas at Petit Jean State Park with (barely) enough time to go check out Cedar Creek Falls, which I think is some sort of park highlight or something. There’s also about a one-mile walk to the other side of the creek where there’s a different place to look at the same waterfall. (!)

I like how exclamation points inside parentheses imply enthusiasm. Which I’m not saying in order to imply the opposite of enthusiasm. It’s just what it is.

The one thing I’ve learned about myself on this trip is that I really like rivers (and creeks).

Past peak color *and* past peak lighting.

Grasshopper, rock, lichens.

Same falls, other direction.

I also never knew what a vast body of work is attributable to the Civilian Conservation Corps. They didn’t exactly cure the depression, but they sure left their mark on the country’s and states’ parks, forests, and wilderness areas.

Then I went and slept in the “overflow camping lot”. It was crowded and un-private, but I had a view of the lake.

bkd