Crabtree Falls

We have been planning to go on a hike to Crabtree Falls for a while now and this was the weekend we decided to go. Miriam and Elaine were a bit hesitant to go since the last time they went with Carlos the path was iced over and they fell a LOT and it was scary! The trail isn't hard but it has a lot of switchbacks and steep edges that could be dangerous. Anyway, the drive was fine, not too long...until the Blue Ridge Pkwy. It was so windy! Miriam lost her breakfast! :( But we made it! (on the way back was worse cause we hadn't eaten much for 4 hours and both Miriam and I had a hard time keeping it together! But we did!)
It was a beautiful day, perfect temp, not humid and we were the first people on the trail! The water fall was such a site and the water was cool and beautiful! We carried Laurie either on our shoulders or in arms and traded off. It wasn't bad. But we had to take a lot breaks and have a lot of pep talks that we could make it all the way! We had to keep reminding the girls that we were going to the top and it would all be worth it when we got there! It was! Even Miriam admits she is glad we made it and had a 'little bit of fun.' :)
By the time we got to the top there were people who had passed us and on the way down already! It took us a while! Round trip up and back was 4 hours!! Shouldn't take that long! LOL Anyway, we saw lots of centipedes, snails, flys, Azalea flowers (pretty!), and a few.......RATTLE SNAKES!!!!!!!
So here's the story: We got to the top, sat there viewing the majesty of the mountains, eating our snack and resting when a family comes up and starts doing the same thing. The dad says 'wow that is a big rattle snake!' I thought he was kidding, picking on his kids! NO, I turned back and there it was, going away from us thank goodness! I told him I thought he was joking, and he was obviously not and also not a fan of snakes! It was a little weird, but when he said it, I pictured the big AZ/UT rattlers, all coiled up. No, this was about 2 1/2-3 ft. But still, a rattle snake! So it slithered away, phew! So on our way down, I asked Carlos what we should do if we see another one on the trail...? He said, don't touch it! lol So not minutes after we start on the trail down, did we have a scary experience! I was turned around with Elaine doing something, and when we turned around Carlos was saying something about going slow and careful but Elaine doesn't do those things and she proceeds when we hear 'TDDDDDLLLL' (ok that is my attempt and imitating a rattle snake warning sound! LOL) She stops, I grab her to back up and we stand perfectly still. There is a snake just on the other side of the trail going up the hill...head away thankfully! But it was scary!! And bigger than the other one!! It stopped, we stopped, and waited, people started lining up behind us... we told them what it was so we all just stood there not sure how to proceed.... Then the snake started moving again up the hill and when it's head was a better distance away, I picked up Elaine and on the count of three quickly walked past while holding my breath! Carlos had Laurie on his shoulders and Miriam in his arms! It was defiantly an experience I had never had and will never forget! LOL Needless to say the rest of the way down we were extremely cautious and worried of another encounter! I am glad to say we didn't have another one! Phew!!!
So we went as fast down the hill as we could because at that point we were ready to be done! So tired, and being careful...but not careful enough! Miriam slid a little and fell backwards on to a big rock that happened to have a point on it and it left a big BLACK and BLUE bruise on her thigh! She was so good, didn't cry too much and kept going! Then not long after, I didn't see one rock and slipped on it and twisted my ankle! My gymnastic coaches would be proud of me, after a brief catch of my breath and pain to subside, I 'toughed it out!' :) It was ok, just a little sore. It was so great to get to the end and feel so happy that we made it all the way to the top and back! All of us! It was wonderful!
This morning my ankle was a bit swollen but not too sore. I iced it and that helped a lot, it will be fine! Hurray! Oh and our camera stopped working. Apparently the last fall from the counter to the ground, courtesy of Laurie, ended it's life! It still turns on but won't take pictures! Grrrr. so now we have to decide if we want to repair or get a new one. Sheesh!! So I have no pictures! Sorry. Carlos took some on his phone so he will have those but I don't!