Smokies Wildflowers and Waterfalls

“I double-dog-dare anyone to have had as much fun on their wildflower pilgrimages as we did this weekend! It was awesome! My tootsies still haven't touched the ground! Saw Lower Ramseys Cascade, Ramseys Cascade proper, Drinkwater Pool and Upper Ramseys Cascade one day. Saw a boat load of gorgeous wildflowers. Talked to lots of nice folks. Had our very own taxonomist and botanist along on the hike! Went to Wildflower Heaven on Easter Sunday. Was able to lead a wildflower hike to see yellow ladyslippers and some more waterfalls. Found a couple rare species that my friend had not ever seen before. It was awesome indeed! Science Nerds Unite! :-)”

“what were the rare species pray tell?”

“Yellow lady's slipper for one.”

“two forms of wild ginger, and Star of Bethlehem. The last three not so much rare as my friend had never seen them in the wild. Twas neat! I was proud as punch for passing my taxonomy quiz. LOL I got all of the answers right on the verbal exam except one. And that was a closie.. instead of Adam and Eve orchid it was cranefly orchid.”

“As I tell Creek Dancer, they have big long Latin names, but around here we call them little yellow flowers.”

“Did you have a good weekend?”

“Yes, and outstanding weekend. See the Loser and Cluck Journal, Part I. Your old stomping ground (my old stomping ground too).”

“Well, I TRIPLE-dog-dare you to show the pics! ;o) Take that Ralphie!

It does sound like a wonderful adventure. I am a waterfall fanatic, especially the ones in NC and TN. I hope you will post some pics.

In the meantime, since you DID double-dog-dare, here's some links to my most excellent NC-TN adventure last year.

NC-TN wildflowers, wildlife, and scenery
NC-TN Waterfalls 1
NC-TN Waterfalls 2
NC-TN Waterfalls 3
NC-TN Waterfalls 4”

“wow, it must be great to be so knowledgeable about stuff like that. Adds a whole new dimension to getting out into the woods.”

“There goes Pennsy again.”

“Now show us your yellow springs collection.

And I thought those yellow springs on the AT between Stony Mountain and Sharp Mountain were because of iron in the water. Silly me!)”

“Pictures on the way. Can't wait to show them. Tell you what.... If c'mon over hyere, Geo and Pennsy.... this apron and broom will fit you fine...

I can work on pictures while you-uns clean up this place for me!?
LOL
Just kidding... I'll take care of both. I HATE house hagging. But somebodys gotta do it. especially after house full of company and hiking. I could do a Tide Commercial after Sat. and Sundays hikes. I have always been a fan of science and botany. I am lucky to have friends who share similar likes and one in particular who can teach me more. I will check out those pix and TRs Pennsy! You're good to share!”

“Well, it was a double-dog-dare Geo. I had no choice. ;o)

But hey, I love to share... and I hope she has some shots of the Ramsey Cascades to share. I didn't get there last year.”

“LOL danababy! What's a broom? If you saw my place, you would understand where my priorities are. Actually, I did post a pic of my living room once. Never again... geez, this gang was ruthless!”

“Were they mistreatin' you? I hate to clean and stay indoors too, but once in awhile its got to be done. I think the thing I hate most about House Hagging is rolling up my hair in curlers, putting a rag on my head over that, and walking around in my housecoat and slippers with a cigarette hanging from my bottom lip. LMAO”

“Are awesome! Thanks so much for allowing me to see them. I enjoyed them very much. My favorites if pressed to choose from among them would have to be the Sunrise Old Rag Mtn. and the side view shot of Baskin Falls. All are good though! Lorda mercy. You have done some serious waterfall hiking. I am impressed! I have got shots of Ramseys Cascades to share awright. Ramseys Cascades and Beyond In fact. ;')”

“Ain't em ar Smokies purdy. I have seen Ramsey's Cascades also.They were covered with ice and snow when I saw them. Awesome waterfalls.Must have been very beautiful with the wild flowers.I was on Mt.Sterling this weekend and awed at the flowers there.I'm just learning the names though.Enjoyed your pictures Pennsy and will be looking for yours Dana... :~ )”

“I'll be there in 2 weeks!”

“..rolling up my hair in curlers, putting a rag on my head over that, and walking around in my housecoat and slippers with a cigarette hanging from my bottom lip.

Now THAT is an image. LOL!

Thanks for the nice comps. I'm looking forward to your pics. Btw - you are not Rich Stevenson's (from ncwaterfalls.com) friend DanaB by chance, are you?”

“i'll be in the smokies in 2 days. all this talk of wildflowers is pleasing me. my camera holds 188 pictures and i'll probably fill it up.”

“Yes I am one and the same DanaB. "Rich's Dana." Just wait'll he finds out he owns me. LOL He tells me I am the Queen of Waterfalls. I like that! I readily accepted the title. ;-) I am sending you a link to Waterfall Wanderings. You need to hook up with us! Twould be an honor. Thanks Trekkngirl.... yes the Smokies are purdy. I am such a sentimental sap. I'd been to the regular Ramseys Cascade before with my spouse about 3 yrs ago. When we went this time it was to the Upper Falls we had not known of back then. They were so beautiful and there was a rainbow too. I started crying it was so pretty. There is no description for the feeling of being present in the moment.”

“Cool, Dana! I was huffing it up and wading the cool waters of Eagle Creek. Had lunch at Spence field, and scurried down Jenkins Ridge over the long weekend.

On Eagle Creek, I saw tons of wildflowers, but not any rare, I don't think. I am not very good at classifyin' but I did see three kinds of Trillium, bluets, violets, and little brown jugs. Oh, and lots of trout lillies and hepatica.”

“Yep ductape, that's why I picked this weekend for our trip. This will be great.”

“You are one tough cookie to do Eagle Creek. I have heard it is a hard trip. Glad you had a good weekend for it and saw lotsa pretty stuff!”

“danababy - You are DanaB from ncwaterfalls? Woaw, that is really cool! Rich has some incredible shots on his website. Pennsy and I were talking on the last trip about getting in more pictures of waterfalls. With all the snowmelt from this winter, this would be an exceptional oppurtunity for waterfalls!”

“girl!!.. I am soooo jealous.. so u did the Ramsey Manway???... did you go all the way up to the AT??”

“I'm glad to hear the wildflowers are out in force. I was starting to get afraid that they wouldn't be at elevation. The temps up at LeConte are still pretty cool. I'm expecting upper 50's and upper 30's this weekend at 5000'+”

“For Dayhiker, do not fear! The flowers will be abundant and at higher elevations more plentiful and just a tad behind the lower elevations in blooming. I've been from Whiteoak Sinks(low low) to high (not quite to the AT) and have compared. Both are pretty and plenty of flowers with the higher elev. being slower to flower. Saw a ton of Clintons Lillys but they are not yet in bloom. They need another 2 weeks at that elevation.

Towndawg, jealous, huh? yes to the manway, but did not go all the way to the AT. Went to the tip top of the Upper Falls. It was not a bad hike at all. I was pleasantly suprised how easy it was compared to last Mays selected offtrail.
The folks who went with us are great hikers but they do not hike year round. They were not up for the trek to the AT. Said they'd kill me if I made them try it. I'd be willing to go back with ya sometime and head clear up to the AT though. It was awesome!”

“Sorry man, I left it off that last post. Yes to being the Dana from ncwaterfalls.com Rich is a friend of mine. Great guy! Maybe you'd join us sometime on a waterfall trek? We have de mostest fun and he just moved to Asheville NC area! I think that hoo hoo's shot he took of me sliding is why I am the waterfall queen now. Hmm. I need to pay him back for that one too.”

“Thanks danababy! Sounds like a goood time! Maybe I can get Pennsy to give me a ride down, if he has room for me in the truck after he packs up all his camera supplies!”

“Bobo - I might have room in the back of the truck. ;o)

Dana - that's really cool that you are "Rich's Dana." I met Rich on my NC trip last year by a wild coincidence. If you recall his Memorial Day report, I am "Bruce from Pennsylvania." We had a really wild bushwhack to Dismal Falls. What a neat and hidden jewel. I hiked with Harry and Joanne as well. Very good people.

He finally moved to Asheville? Last year all he talked about was moving to western NC. Good for him.

Thanks for the link to waterfall wanderings. I'll be sure to sign up.”

“Pennsy aka Bruce! Delighted to find that out. I remember him telling me about that! I'll be darned. Glad you joined Waterfall Wanderings. He did find a place and is in the process of moving. He is excited! So am I. That means he is that much closer! Squeeze Capn' Bobo a little space in the truck now. :-)”