A Color Filled Soul: Waterfall Wednesday.

My first experience of a waterfall was when I was about 6. My parents saved up to finally take a honeymoon.(with 3 kids in tow) It was an experiance I will never forget. I can still see the falls today, as clearly as if I had just went yesterday.

Since then I have not seen anything that even compares to the magnitude of the Niagara falls, when it comes to waterfalls anyway. However, I think each drop in the water, is unique, beautiful, and meant to be admired.

This one was just a little cascade in a river. I am not even sure it has a name. Yet it is so powerful, it deserves admiration. This was taken in the little pigeon river inside Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

There is something so peaceful about sitting and watching the water rush past you. To sit and admire nature in all her fury. This water was ice cold. In fact it was so cold that after maybe 3 seconds in the water, my feet tingled and burned like I had frost bite. I didnt expect it to be so cold in March. I drastically underestimated how cold it could be. I am glad I only had the mind to put my toes in.

Different angle of the same location.

Driving further on down the road, and through the park we happened upon another waterfall, just off the roadway. In fact it was so unexpected we had to turn around.
Meigs Falls, Smoky Mountains. I was very grateful for the roadside waterfalls during this trip. Hiking with our 2 year old son, is not feasible at this time. You see, he had no fear, and acts hard of hearing most times. Like most 2 year olds, he hears what he wants to hear, and ignores you when hes having fun. Not a good combination in the mountains.

Getting to see any waterfalls, was a pleasant surprise for me. I fully accepted that we wouldn't see any, because we could do major hiking that day. So when I saw Meigs falls out of the corner of my eye, while doing 45 down a mountain road. You can imagine me screaming "WATERFALL, WATERFALL, YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND!!" Thankfully my husband is used to such demands, and turned around as quickly as he could. It must be hard being a photographers husband.

more images from Meigs falls, Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee

The last big hike we ran for a waterfall adventure was before my son was born. We hiked down to see Dark Hollow Falls, in Shenandoah National park, in Virginia. The hike has a 440 foot elevation change from the top of the hike, to the bottom of the falls. Its about a 1 1\2 miles round trip hike. But honestly the hike down was easy, getting back up was pretty strenuous. I can tell you it was well worth the trip. The falls are spectacular.