Connesstee Waterfalls

The photo above is actually only one half of the waterfalls, behind me in this photo was the other half. They are twin waterfalls from two creeks that join together. These waterfalls are not located in Pisgah National Forest. From what I researched online, the waterfalls were privately owned but the owner allowed the public to view them. Wow, that was really nice of him! In the last couple of years, it appears he has turned them over to a land conservancy which is currently trying to get loans from the state to turn the waterfalls into a park for the public. I really hope they can get this done soon as the waterfalls are really gorgeous and access to them is currently in a state of disrepair.

Looking Glass Waterfall Wedding Photos

Just downstream from the waterfall, a small group was doing some wedding photography. I know their photos will turn out absolutely gorgeous but it really was entertaining just to watch. From my observation, I would guess this was the bride's idea, the groom was going along with what she wanted, and the photographer was like "OMG, what have I got myself into" as he did not look comfortable trying to walk in the creek.

Looking Glass Waterfall

Looking Glass waterfall is one of the most photographed waterfalls. However, I do not remember if that was the most in Pisgah National Forest, NC, East Coast or where! It is a very beautiful waterfall and I of course could not let it fall from the list of most photographed.

Moore Cove Waterfall

Moore Cove Waterfall had a cave (cove?) behind it. You can see Mom, Dad, and Daniel walking behind the waterfall. Pisgah National Forest allows backpackers to camp anywhere in the park as long as it's a specified distance from any road. There were remnants of campfires under this cave and I thought that was probably a really neat place to camp, a bit damp but dry in comparison if it rained.

Moore Cove Waterfall Trail

A bridge next to the trailhead to Moore Cove Waterfall.

Creek to Sliding Rock

This is the creek that led to the Sliding Rock Waterfall. Looks innocent enough, doesn't it?

Sliding Rock Technique

Some people had interesting ideas on how to slide down the rock. I think some people thought they had a great idea but once they got to the bottom I wonder if they were rudely reminded that this is not a manmade fiberglass waterslide but rock!

Sliding Rock Waterfall

The view of Sliding Rock Waterfall as you're waiting in line.

Sliding Rock Waterslide

This is Sliding Rock Waterfall in Pisgah National Forest. It is $1/person to get into see this waterfall but the park itself does not have an entrance fee! The park has lifeguards stationed at this waterfall and the wait was about 30 minutes to slide down the waterfall. It was a beautiful day probably around 90 degrees but the water was only 48 degrees!! Definitely shockingly cold but as soon as you got out the air felt so warm you did not even need a towel!

Cabin Creek

My parents rented a cabin beside this creek near Brevard, NC in the western NC mountains. Daniel and I stayed with them for a couple of days and visited the area. This area of NC is known as the Land of Waterfalls and I had no idea NC had all these beautiful waterfalls! (Photos to come in the days ahead.) I'm really impressed with NC's variety of natural features from the mountains to the coast.

Grandpa's Silly Grandchildren

Photo Credit: Kendall

I love my sister and brother, they're the greatest! We all seem to share the same silly sense of humor. This is in front of the door to the barn our Grandfather built from scraps of another old barn. Very impressive and I'm sure it will be standing for a very long time to come!

Grandpa's Farm

Grandpa's Field of Wildflowers

Grandpa's Sky

The sky above my Grandpa's farm on Father's Day.

Grandpa's View

For Father's Day, I gathered with my Mom's family to scatter the ashes of my Grandfather on his farm in Ohio. He wanted to be buried on his farm, so, we chose the top of this hill behind the house and barns with a beautiful view. I'm sad and I miss him but it makes me happy to know he is at a place he loved.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 2: Grand Finale Cake

This is a 6" 2-layer cake. The basketweave sides and rope border at the bottom were done with buttercream icing. The birds were done with colorflow icing and the flowers were done with royal icing. Colorflow and royal icings are very similar to each other and dry hard because they do not have butter like buttercream which keeps the icing softer (and edible). The flowers are pansies (purple & yellow), daffodils (yellow), daisies (white with yellow center), primroses (pink with yellow center), violets (small purple), and apple blossoms (small pink).

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 2: Class 2

Royal icing: violet leaves, violets, and apple blossoms. Colorflow icing: birds.

Closeup of violet.

Closeup of apple blossom.

Wilton Cake Decorating Course 2: Class 1

Rosebuds, stars, chrysanthemums, grapes, bows, shells, smiley faces, and sweet peas.

GA Aquarium: Manta Ray

Photo Credit: Kendall

The manta ray was one of my favorite animals of the entire aquarium. It was so large I probably could have laid comfortably on its back as it carried me gracefully through the water.

GA Aquarium: Sawtooth Shark

Photo Credit: Kendall

The largest tank in the aquarium has a clear tunnel at the bottom that you walk through. This is the view of the underside of the shark as you are looking toward the surface of the water. I'm not sure of the exact depth but it's fairly significant.

Ages: Under/Over v. Down/Up

I've noticed when referring to a persons age that signs, menus, and such often read: 17 & Under or 18 & Up.

Why is it never: 17 & Down or 18 & Over??

It's almost always a mix of these two groups of opposites instead of choosing one group and being consistent!

GA Aquarium: Jellyfish

Photo Credit: Kendall

Triathlon Training: Week 7

Monday Schedule: OFF Actual: OFF Tuesday Schedule: Run: 30 min Actual: OFF Wednesday Schedule: Swim: 400 yards Actual: OFF Thursday Schedule: BRICK: 30 min Bike/10 min Run/20 min Walk Actual: Comments: Friday Schedule: Swim: 400 yards Actual: Comments: Saturday Schedule: Run: 40 min Actual: Comments: Sunday Schedule: Bike: 15 miles Actual: Comments: Overall Thoughts:

• How did it get to be week 7 already?!?! I still feel like I'm at the level of like week 3 maybe 4.
• I think this week is turning into a miserable failure and perhaps I should just call it a rest week.

GA Aquarium: Sea Turtle

Photo Credit: Kendall