The dogs love going with me (in the evenings) to photograph the guy’s soccer practice. I usually there only a few minutes. But because Cocoa wants to “speak” to all the players (by running out on the field) and Chip wants to bark at them, they had to stay in the car. When I came back, I found both of them waiting for me.

I took the dogs to the falls the other evening, and Chip did his thing once again—he tried to pull me into the water. He loves to go for a swim. This time I did not give in because once he is wet, he has to travel back through sand on his way to the car. I took him to the small lake near the falls instead. There we found tons of little frogs hopping into the water as we walked around the shore. Cocoa tried to catch them (in her mouth) but Chip was fixated only on one thing: swimming! So, I’m going to let you decide: should Chippy go swimming at the falls or not?

The students are returning and I’m trying to understand the headbands and earrings. (I feel old.) Oh, and he has a girlfriend.

The other day I hiked the pathway that leads away from the falls and ends up in dense woods. This is the old post road that led to Helen, Georgia. It is also part of the Cherokee Indian footpath, which later became known as the Unicoi Turnpike. This is one of the areas where the trail crosses over a small river. “It runs between Vonore, Tennessee and Murphy, North Carolina, follows and ancient trade path that once connected the Overhill Cherokee towns along the Little Tennessee and Tellico rivers in eastern Tennessee to the coastal ports in Georgia and South Carolina. Most of the trail can be easily explored by automobile. A restored section of original roadbed that is located in the Cherokee National Forest, is open to the public for hiking.” (Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association)

I love the reflections of the trees in the water. Over the next few days I hope to post more photos taken from this area. It is raw and wild. And as the years pass, it is returning to its natural state.

Yesterday, we dodged rain drops but eventually ended up in sunlight. However in the beginning of our hike, we thought for sure we would have to find shelter under a rock ledge or overhang—something I don’t like to do, especially if there is lightening. This is a well used path that leads to a couple of sets of falls. The college has over 1,100 acres and many of our students boast that they have hiked every square inch of it.