The weather has gotten a little chiller these past few days and outdoor adventuring was not the top priority on Sunday. My husband, after spending a couple days cooped up in a hospital with gall bladder issues, decided, we need to get out and do something. Several weeks ago, I had mentioned a waterfall in McConnell Mills State Park in Butler, PA. He was listening after all! So with a stealthy look he told me to pack some extra clothes and some snacks and let's go. After a short 45 minute drive, we came upon the park. From the time we got into the park, we were spellbound. The trees and rocks were amazing. We actually stopped several times to get great photos. Then we cam around the bend and saw the dam. Flowing water, rocks leading down, perfect. Pulled over and all got out. Sweet little FEAR-ME-Not went right down. It was a raging little creek so we had to actually stop her from going too quickly and too close. She was in heaven. The spray was wetting her face and she somewhat resembled a dog with her head out the window with the glee she was experiencing. After a little wandering and exploring, and obvious rock collecting, we got back in the car for her first covered bridge ride. You would have thought we were on a loop-de-loop roller coaster from the weeeeeeeee's coming from the back.
As we traveled on, we thought we had gotten lost. See, you leave the park and go back around it and then enter at a different location to go to Hell's Hollow. Before getting there, we pulled off to go explore a quarry. Big hole in the ground, why not. We laughed so hard. Not because quarries are so funny, but because the male in our home lost his shoes twice in the mud. Muddy messes are funny!!
After about an 8 minute ride we got to Hell's Hollow. Parking was tight, so go early. The land here is so beautiful and there were no leaves yet even. We traveled over bridges, walked along large tree stumps, ventured down rocky hills to the cliff's edge and watch the water stream past us. We found rocks and flowers just begin to appear. Sticks were turned into canes and swords and magic wands.
The sound of water became stronger and soon after only about 1/2 mile we were at the falls. They really were gorgeous. We hiked down a path that had a nice wooden rail and then down a set of steps that literally led right to the falls. I mean, the last step was in water. We teetered over wobbly rocks, getting wet and enjoying every minute of it. Once past the stream, we were able to climb on large rocks and admire the falls. Lady Love The Water was off, sneaking under tree stumps, over rocks, hopping, jumping, sliding to the water in front of the falls. Rocks, leaves and sticks were no match to her strength and determination. She tossed and admired their journey and plop. We laughed at the bounce in her curls and her face full of delight.
The walk back was uneventful other than seeing lots of dogs and a rabbit. We adults overindulged the movie buff in us by reenacting the Silence of The Lambs (see pictures with the abandoned well I found). The creek was babbling that sweet soothing lullaby and Chatty Cathy reminisced about her adventures. "Can we come back here like 100 times?' We all agreed, yep!!!
As we traveled on, we thought we had gotten lost. See, you leave the park and go back around it and then enter at a different location to go to Hell's Hollow. Before getting there, we pulled off to go explore a quarry. Big hole in the ground, why not. We laughed so hard. Not because quarries are so funny, but because the male in our home lost his shoes twice in the mud. Muddy messes are funny!!
After about an 8 minute ride we got to Hell's Hollow. Parking was tight, so go early. The land here is so beautiful and there were no leaves yet even. We traveled over bridges, walked along large tree stumps, ventured down rocky hills to the cliff's edge and watch the water stream past us. We found rocks and flowers just begin to appear. Sticks were turned into canes and swords and magic wands.
The sound of water became stronger and soon after only about 1/2 mile we were at the falls. They really were gorgeous. We hiked down a path that had a nice wooden rail and then down a set of steps that literally led right to the falls. I mean, the last step was in water. We teetered over wobbly rocks, getting wet and enjoying every minute of it. Once past the stream, we were able to climb on large rocks and admire the falls. Lady Love The Water was off, sneaking under tree stumps, over rocks, hopping, jumping, sliding to the water in front of the falls. Rocks, leaves and sticks were no match to her strength and determination. She tossed and admired their journey and plop. We laughed at the bounce in her curls and her face full of delight.
The walk back was uneventful other than seeing lots of dogs and a rabbit. We adults overindulged the movie buff in us by reenacting the Silence of The Lambs (see pictures with the abandoned well I found). The creek was babbling that sweet soothing lullaby and Chatty Cathy reminisced about her adventures. "Can we come back here like 100 times?' We all agreed, yep!!!