If it was wanted by South Carolina state authorities, I guess I’d be a fugitive now. But sometimes not being wanted is a good thing.

First, the reason I left the state this particular weekend: my very favorite singer/songwriter/musician, Samara Jade, was doing a patio show at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. I think this must be the spot, although that eagle on the right doesn’t look very grey.

This couldn’t have been planned better to lure me out of my COVID hideout. It was a great show and I even got to speak with her. Her music, aside from just being great music, indicates to me that she understands the world, in particular the natural world, in ways that most people completely Don’t. Those who come here to get some peeks at nature through my pictures will probably find something that resonates in her music. Check her out on Band Camp and anywhere else fine music is streamed.

Even with the early show time, I figured I might as well spend the night in the area and save the long drive home for the next day. There was a dirt road behind the hotel that, curiously, had a “slow down, kids playing” sign just ahead of a large excavator.

Must be some Big Kids.

Also seen at the hotel, this bumper sticker on a New York car:

(speaking of the natural world)

First thing in the morning I headed over to the Dupont State Recreational Forest, run by the North Carolina Forest Service. As is typical for me, I got there well before the visitor center opened.

I was going to ask for suggestions for a trail to hike, but instead just set off from the visitor center on the High Falls Loop trail. The trail was mostly gravel, which I didn’t find to be the most pleasant thing to walk on, but it was very easy to follow the trail.

If you like waterfalls, this is the place for you. This is the view from a covered bridge not far from the visitor’s center.

Watch that first step, it’s a doozy!
Some of the trails are a bit of a doozy too. I’m not sure this is an official trail, but seemed well-traveled. So what’s one more set of bird tracks?

Remember what I said about that first drop from the covered bridge?

Guess that’s why they call these “High Falls”.

There are places where the water gets a rest…

…until the next set of falls (Triple Falls):

(all that water, and it’s still not enough for what humans want??)
Rocks? You want rocks?

The Hooker Falls are a little quieter.

Some trails are rated “difficult”. I found most signs Mean what they Say, so take heed.

After a bit of snacking I found the Three Lake Trail. This trail is a bit less
“maintained”, but more to my own liking.

As you might expect, it leads to a lake, for those who like their water in less of a hurry to get downhill.

Towards the end of my time there, I came out of a trail and waited while some other hikers went by. I realized, and said “I don’t want to leave this place”. But leave I must, as there were people waiting back home for me, not the least of which are the feathered ones who were probably wondering why I didn’t fill the feeders this morning.

Coming home I followed US-276 south out of the mountains. This looked like it would be a very scenic route, but you Really Need to keep your eyes on the road. Once again, those curve signs saying “15 MPH” really Mean what they Say.

Interestingly, the river I was hiking along there, the Little River, is the same one that comes all the way down through my nearby town. I could have kayaked my way home. Just watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy!