Duurt nog even, maar dan kunnen we weer.
Optie Villa Kissimmee, Florida
We moeten nog wachten op de goedkeuring van het werk van Angelique, maar we kregen zo’n mooi aanbod van een villa dat we een optie hebben genomen tot dat het zeker is dat Angelique ook vakantie kan krijgen.
De villa staat in de wijk Country Creek Estate, Kissimmee. Ik wilde graag aan deze kant van Kissimmee een villa omdat ik dichter bij de 192 wilde zitten ipv de 27.
Het duurt nog heel lang, maar het begin is er weer. We willen graag van 17 Juli t/m 12 Aug naar Florida, we hebben de optie genomen op de villa van 24 Juli t/m 12 Aug.
We hebben dan nog de keuze waar we naar toe vliegen, Miami, Tampa of Orlando. De planning is als volgt:
17 Juli t/m 21 Juli Miami Beach
21 Juli t/m 24 Juli Fort Myers
24 Juli t/m 12 Augustus Orlando
Nu nog even afwachten!!
Groeten
Anthonie
Colditz Cove State Natural Area
Colditz Cove is one of eighty-two State Natural Areas in Tennessee. Located just outside of Allardt in Fentress County on the Cumberland Plateau, the main feature of the 165 acre area is the 63 foot high Northrup Falls. Although the location is not well marked with road signs, the directions on the state website lead directly to the gravel parking area. A 0.2 mile trail leads from the parking area to the rim with a partially obstructed view of the falls. At the rim, the trail branches to form a loop that drops down into the gorge, behind the falls and then climbs up the gorge before returning to the linear trail. The total trail distance is about two miles. I'd suggest heading left at the rim as the trail seems easier and provides better views of the falls than going right. I visited the area on the middle weekend in March, 2013, and found only one other vehicle in the parking area. I never saw the people, but I did hear them when I think they were in the amphitheater-like rock shelter behind the falls.
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| Trail head |
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| Short boardwalk over a wet area |
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| Trail to the rim |
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| First glimpse of Northrup Falls from near the trail junction |
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| The loop trail is narrow and steep in places |
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| Water drips off the rock face onto the trail |
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| The loop trail is broad and level in other places |
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| Northrup Falls |
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| Water cascades over the rocks at the bottom of the falls |
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| Looking out from the rock shelter |
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| Looking back at the falls for the perspective of counterclockwise hikers |
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| Just as on the way down, there are many wet sections of the trail on the way up |
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| Climbing out of the gorge on a dry section of trail |
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| There are wet areas even on the rim trail |
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| Bridge over Big Branch |
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| Looking at the top of the falls from the bridge |
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| Many trees were down along the rim trail |
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| Sunset from Allardt |
Other than a gravel parking area and the trail, there are no facilities such as restrooms or a visitor center at this natural area. There are no handrails or fences along the rim, so this might not be the place for small children or a group with more children than adults. A walking stick or trekking poles are very useful tools on this hike. Two bridges with handrails are provided. One crosses an unnamed creek just to the left of the trail junction at the rim and the other crosses Big Branch upstream of the falls.
The park website is http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/colditz/.
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is located just east of Wartburg, Tennessee. The park includes over 24,000 acres of state owned property plus an additional 20,000 acre easement. Of the total 45,326 acres, only about 330 acres are developed with the remaining 45,000 acres managed as a Natural Area. The 330 developed acres are in the Flat Fork area and include a maintenance base, a visitor center with restrooms and a gift shop, picnic areas and a campground.
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| Flat Fork near the park entrance |
In early March, 2013, I hiked a portion of the Panther Branch Trail and the Emory Gap Trail to Emory Gap Falls. The Panther Branch Trail head is at the end of Flat Fork Road. A limited amount of parking is available near the trail head. The trail is marked with blue blazes. Most of the portion of the trail I hiked is an old roadbed that doesn't need the blazes.
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| North Prong Flat Fork near the trail head |
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| The first part of the trail follows an old roadbed |
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| Small waterfall on an unnamed creek |
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| Another unnamed creek flows into North Prong Flat Fork |
After approximately 0.6 miles, a sign points to a short path to DeBord Falls on North Prong Flat Fork. This waterfall is only about 12 feet high, but it is very scenic as a rock formation splits the flow into two channels at that falls. An overlook with a railing has been built as well as fencing along the edge of the gorge. The overlook is downstream of the falls and about 20 feet higher than the top of the falls.
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| Path to DeBord Falls overlook |
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| DeBord Falls from the overlook |
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| Steps and a handrail lead to the base of DeBord Falls |
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| DeBord Falls from the access trail |
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| DeBord Falls on North Prong Flat Fork |
After returning to Panther Branch Trail, it is only another 0.2 miles to the junction with the Emory Gap Trail. The junction is well marked, with the white blazed Emory Gap Trail slightly to the left or nearly straight ahead. Emory Gap Trail is narrower and has many more rocks and roots to contend with than the previous trail as well as some wet patches. The trail is only one-half mile long and includes one rather long switchback to gain elevation.
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| White blazed Emory Gap Trail |
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| Over or under, your choice |
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| Bridge over an unnamed side creek |
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| View from the bridge of the unnamed creek |
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| The trail needs some water diversion work |
The first glimpse of the falls is basically at the end of the trail. Hikers have to pick their way across the creek and over several boulders or climb up the rocks on the left to the base of the rock house that continues behind the falls. An additional 100 feet of trail would be a major improvement. Emory Gap Falls is approximately 25 feet high
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| First glimpse of Emory Gap Falls |
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| Emory Gap Falls |
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| The plunge pool is littered with boulders |
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| Emory Gap Falls from the opposite creek bank |
I could not setup to take a video of Emory Gap Falls due to the large number of people and their pets wandering around in the small area. This isn't a criticism, just a note that the falls are a very popular weekend destination. The round trip hike was about 2.75 miles with a 500 foot climb and descent.
The park website is http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/FrozenHead/.