Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls

We got up early this morning to get ready and pack for a hike down Petit Jean Mountain to Cedar Falls. We didn’t get out quite as early as we planned since we were out a bit later than expected last night, but we still made good time. Dad packed a bunch of stuff for lunch that we didn’t really get to enjoy because the place was packed with people. We parked way out by the road coming in to Mather Lodge and walked down to the lodge, and then hiked down to the waterfall. You couldn’t have a fire on the trail, and we didn’t spend any time looking for a place with a grill, so we just ended up eating cold hot dogs by the waterfall.

Summer spent a while sitting in quiet contemplation after I had been in a mood all morning. Dad wandered around taking pictures, and even wandered back behind the waterfall with Autumn. Eaddie didn’t want to get that close, so she got camera sitting duty. I perched myself on the same rock the whole time, trying to prepare myself for the trip back. I knew coming down that it was going to be a difficult return trip for me, but overall it really wasn’t that bad. I was probably a bit thinner when we went to Hemmed in Hollow several years ago, but that trail was over twice as long with nearly four times the elevation gain. That hike absolutely wrecked me. Today I had to stop a couple times on the way up, and got really dizzy once, but I was able to sit it off once I got everyone to quit crowding around me. I’ll be sore later, but at least I didn’t ride the motorcycle to this hike.

We got back to town and sat with Dad a bit once we got unpacked, but then I had to get the girls back so they could go to karate. Summer came back and we went to Walmart for stuff to make barbecue nachos. I spent what felt like forever getting all of that together, and nearly didn’t feel like eating once I was done, but I made myself a little bowl once everyone else was eating. They were way better than I expected, but I wished I had a larger bowl for all the vegetables I had in mine. Nobody even cared to warm them up in the oven, possibly out of pure hunger.

I was too tired for a movie after that. Autumn fell asleep anyway. Eaddie stayed up super late watching Supergirl. I don’t know how she does it, but here I am on the computer. Somehow this spring break feels like it’s just accelerating as it comes to an end. I’m going to be worn out by the time I have to go back to work.

I can’t wait for my visit from Charlie Horse tonight.