Blogging Buddies Hit the Trail

Last week I received a last minute invitation to hike Mouse Creek Falls with one of my favorite blogging friends, Sharon from Gains and Losses: Life Through Sharon's Eyes. Being that we've tried to get together for this hike since last fall, I was thrilled that the weather was finally cooperating and giving us the perfect spring day to meet.  Did I forget to mention that this was one of my 2010 Fitness Goals...one that I didn't achieve (due to weather) and so therefore became one of my 2011 Fitness goals? To say that I was a little excited would have been an understatement.  I was finally getting the chance to meet someone I've so admired and who's blog I love, and was going hiking in the Smokey's, and was going to meet a personal goal...all in the same day!!!  What could be better than that?

Of course we needed pictures to commemorate our day!!!

Sharon's a serious hiker...she came prepared with hiking boots and walking poles.

Me...well I wore my old sneakers (which you can see in my previous post) and somehow managed to trip more than once on this 4 mile hike!!!  My parents didn't nickname me Grace for nothing!!!  I was hoping that Sharon wouldn't become privy to the fact that I'm a complete clutz, but that was not to be on this day!!!

Note to self...add hiking boots to my list of must have's!!!

The first thing I realized not soon after taking to the trail was Sharon's vast knowledge of flowers and their proper names.  All along the way she was able to identify everything that was coming into bloom.  Me....well I just noticed that they were pretty and purple...or yellow...or white!  I was definately in the company of a true nature girl...and oh what a fun day we had!!!

The trail was truly beautiful, but nothing could compare to Midnight Hole.  This picture hardly does justice to the humongous boulders that flanked a rushing fall of water.  Directly below was a deep pool that I wanted to jump into so badly I could hardly stand it.  If the water had been warm enough, Sharon may have had to wait on me to take a dip!!!

It seemed that around every corner there was something more beautiful to see.  The water was high from all the spring rains we've had here in East Tennessee and roared loudly down the mountain.  Between the beauty all around us and the wonderful conversation, it was turning out to be a lovely day!!!

Before we knew it we reached the falls where we sat and enjoyed our lunch...a healthy lunch at that!!!

I had the best time and am so happy I got to share this special day with Sharon.  You know, it really is an amazing thing that we (in blogland) get to connect with one another in a way that wouldn't have otherwise been possible.  I never would have thought all those months ago that sharing my journey with you would lead to so many wonderful things, but it has.  I am truly blessed!!!