Bluff Spring Journal
February 2010
Freezing fog flooded into our area overnight and because of photos I have missed before I grabbed my camera and threw it into the SUV. Sure enough the scene below greeted my eyes when I approached this 90 bend in the James River.
February 11th
The family is taking a much needed getaway trip. The stars came into a alignment and our schedules worked out that we could take a couple of days to tromp through the woods and generally just relax.
The day started off with a couple of Anita's homemade sugar cookies and a warm cup of coffee. It just does yo u some good to sit and relax every once in awhile. We listened to some music and a very thought provoking podcast about the temptations that we walk by in life each pulling us to be less than our best. Then after a small nap we headed down to the Ozark Cafe for some comfort food. Hmmm, hmmm--sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy. Who needs no stinking diet!
Back at the cabin we loaded up the corgis and headed towards Mossville and Magnolia falls. There was about 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground and the temperature held steady at about 28 degrees with no wind at all. Perfect hiking weather. This is a short 2.4 mile round trip hike so we took our leisurely time enjoying the dogs bounding up and down the trail. If you want to go to this series of waterfalls you can located them by going 2.5 miles south of the Mossville church on Hwy 21 and then turn right onto a usually unmarked county road. The road is dirt and heads ever so slightly uphill off the main highway. Go about three tenths of a mile and you will see a wilderness sign on the left. The parking is just across the road on the right. From there you follow an old logging road past several big mud holes until you cross a small creek and then head a short distance uphill looking for a blue blaze on a tree just off the left of the logging road. Turn left here and follow the trail down hill alongside the creek and past some stone walls on the right. the creek will intersect with the main stream. To your left will be Magnolia falls and then down stream 40 yards you'll be able to see Woods Boys Falls by hiking up along the edge of the bluff. You can go on down the bluff line and hike back up the hollow to the base of the falls if you wish.
The falls were running fairly good and I was able to get a couple of photos of the falls and the icicles hanging from the bluff.
Magnolia Falls
Huge icicles hung from the bluff
Little Miss Annie being a good dog.
Little Miss Annie being herself and sticking her tongue out at me!
After hiking down stream to see Woods Boys Falls from the bluff above them we headed back home with a couple of tired dogs. It was a good day to be in the woods.
February 21st--Two weeks after we were at these falls a local photographer fell to his death just downstream from Magnolia Falls. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hadlock Family. Most of David's personal belongings were recovered except for his camera. If you are in the Boen Gulf area and find a camera please take it to the local authorities so that they can return the memory card to David's family.
February 27th
The weather was great, too great to stay indoors so the dogs took us on a walk. And as usual they drew their customary comments from the folks we met on the trail. "Look at their little legs" and "It's the Corgi procession. Just like the Queen of England". We just smile and say hi. It's nice to watch the smiles on their faces as they meet the little creatures.
Annie and Sid paying tribute to the men and women who have served our country.
(Who's that pretty lady with them?)
March
Sorry but I just had to do this.
Sunny 75 degrees
