Stretching for the Leaves

A joke to start. What is Tiger Woods favorite waterfall?

Answer: HOOKER FALLS!!! (Not that funny.)

We got up fairly early, and started a day long North Carolina waterfall tour. Hooker, Triple, Looking Glass, Sliding Rock, Big Shoals, French Broad, Bridal Veil, and Dry falls. 8 in all.

Sliding Rock is just that. Maybe a 25 yard slide...ending in an 8 foot pool. Water temperature 50-60 F. And..yes...I did it. And...SO DID MY 86 YEAR OLD DAD!!! We both fell in the water trying to ford the stream (wet, slippery rocks) , and we both went down twice. Once on the easy side...once down the rougher side. SO MUCH FUN...AND OH SO EXHILARATING!!!

I had my mind made up to post a waterfall...when we ran into a small elk herd. It was just inside the entrance to Great Smoky National Park. We were allowed to get fairly close...with 2 elderly "park ranger volunteers" trying to keep everybody back. Always a thrill to see the large deer.

We are spending the night in Gatlinburg, Tennessee...along with thousands of other tourists.

Into the park tomorrow. Will catch up with your photos when I get home. 11:37 p.m. Night-night.

Waterfall shots are on my FLICKR PAGE. Swim over, and have a look.