Spent an amazing day with a little hiking, a few tourist stops and some great research for future adventures! Our first stop was Little River Canyon, but not the falls, all the way at the other end at The Canyon Mouth Park. We had made it here before, but it was closed because we made it late in the day! This time we were very early! Almost no one at the park. We walked the mile trail up into the canyon to Johnnies Creek, which was a neat little stop! Beautiful where the creek ran into Little River. Little River itself looks like a lake here! Thinking about canoeing it and seeing how far up we can make it before the current and rocks stop us! Made it back down the trail and explored the rest of the park! Neat little out of the way place that we will take the kids back to later! Also, one thing I have never seen in a small park; an air conditioned bathroom! It was downright cold considering it was in the 90s outside! Left the park around lunch and headed to our next stop, Noccalula Falls! After a wonderful lunch at Logan’s in Gadsden, we headed to the falls!
Noccalula Falls in right in the middle of a busy area so we were not expecting much (We like the remote areas best!) but the Falls were amazing! Not much water, but the cavern is incredible! We didn’t go to the touristy stuff in the park next door, but I think the kids will like that when we go back! We followed the trail down the side of the Falls and found a large crack in the rocks that looked like a lot of people had climbed down! We had a blast climbing to the bottom through the rocks! About 40 feet total and then a rocky trail the rest of the way! The pool and falls from below were amazing! Huge rocks, a few ducks and a sandy beach! Very impressive even with a small flow of water! Bet they are incredible in high water! Looking forward to going back! After the falls and checking out the Campground, we went to the Veteran’s Park next door! One of the most amazing tributes to veterans I have seen, especially in a relatively small town! Beautiful art work and displays as a tribute to all of the branches of the armed forces! Very moving!!
From Noccalula, we headed to Lake Guntersville State Park! This was an exploratory trip for future adventures! The camp ground was huge and the lodge was amazing! Incredible views! We ate at the lodge looking out over the lake! Found some other cool places to explore more at a later date, but my greatest find was a navigational map of the entire Guntersville Lake! It covers from Nickajack Dam all the way to Guntersville Dam! I am working on our next LOOOOONG canoe trip! Seventy five miles between these 2 dams! Thinking at least 6 to 7 days, but I don’t think I’ll wait until we are 75 to do it! Looking at next summer and now I have the tools to do some serious planning! Can’t wait! Have to do a little persuasion on Phyllis, but I’ll get there!
We came full circle by stopping by the Falls at Little River Canyon on our way home for a post rain fog and a beautiful sunset! Unlike most times, we had the overlooks and most of the Canyon to ourselves! A great day setting up some great adventures and some wonderful time with my sweetie, Phyllis Maggard Allee!
