Apple Orchard Falls

In September, in an attempt to still feel like a family with all of our new schedules and to prove to myself that we could still get outside for family adventures, we headed to Apple Orchard Falls in the Peaks of Otter area of the Blue Ridge. 

The trail follows water for about half its length, and though we didn't stop to play in it until the end, we enjoyed the sounds of the water tumbling down as we hiked up. If I remember correctly, two-fifths of our team wasn't feeling friendly or happy, but that all works itself out in the first mile or two on a trail. I don't remember any problems after the waterfall.

After the falls, if you hike up just a little bit further, you get this amazing view. It's the only overlook on the trail, and well worth the last steps to the the top.

The slowly descending fire trail is about a third of the hike's length. Late in the summer it is lush and overgrown with flowers and tall grasses. E is our wildlife spotter, and he caught several frogs and a couple snakes effortlessly.

The descent alongside Cornelius Creek was perhaps our favorite part of the whole trail. A dunked her head. E trapped crawdads. 

We met up with the Bassok-Helinski family at Cave Mountain Lake and enjoyed a couple hours in the afternoon and a campfire dinner with them. Their cute twin miniature firemen entertained us and we even caught a glimpse of the pair of otters at the small campground lake.

I feel steadier after these short trips for some reason. I don't know if it's the release of the exercise or the immersion in the mountains. The mystery of that sense of balance makes me feel like I need more of it.