Chapter Two - Harper Falls

We were on our way along the trail to Harper Falls, and doing so with great excitement. Little Madeline ran joyfully back and forth on the trail:

We crossed several small streams:

And I could hear the roar of the falls up ahead:

It was a perfect, happy day:

There were many lovely Yellow Birch trees along the trail:

Our pace quickened as the roar of the falls grew louder. I'd never seen these falls and wondered if I should put the dogs on a leash. I didn't do it, though, because I'd read the trail would take us to the base of the falls, not to the top:

And there it was, the base of the falls. From the mighty sound it made, I was sure there had to be more to it than I could see up ahead:

Indeed the falls turned out to be extensive, but they cascaded down in steps and the entire falls were not visible from one place. So I just enjoyed the parts I could see:

Then we climbed up the hill alongside the falls, seeing and hearing the churning waters on our right as we made our way uphill:

I put the dogs on leashes when we reached the top lest they fall in. That would be certain death. But the overwhelming power of the roaring water was awe inspiring. It looks almost flat in these pictures, but one certainly would not survive going down these falls:

A short video taken at the top of the falls. You won't see the dogs because they were on leashes at my feet. I didn't want them playing near that roaring water:


I let the dogs off their leashes after we turned away from the falls and Daphne and Clover once again became "The Silly Sisters" as they raced together up a hill, wrestling as they ran:

Then we rested and began our descent back to the trail. But I'll post more tomorrow:

Chapter One - Harper Falls

We arrived at the farm on Sunday, much earlier than usual. I unloaded the car and cleaned up the dead flies and lady bugs off the floor of the house. Once the dogs were settled, I decided that such a fine day deserved a hike. So I drove to the trail head for Harper Falls on the Grasse River (yes, it's spelled both ways, but most often with an e at the end):

There was no one parked at the trail head, meaning we had the forest all to ourselves. I let the dogs out to run:

And they were happy indeed:

The forest was lovely, though it looked more like autumn than springtime:

Tiny brooks sparkled in the afternoon sun as they burbled their way down the hills:

And Madeline smiled for the camera:

We continued on through the forest, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells:

The trail brought us to another small stream:

Where a big culvert had been placed, but not covered:

The Princess Pines, newly released from their snow cover, looked healthy and happy. They, and the ferns flattened by the snows, offered just about the only green color in the forest:

"C'mon, Dad. Can't we go any faster?:"

If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you'll see the black pads on the bottom of Fergus' feet as he leaps over the log. You can also see his ears flopping happily. I love seeing the pooches happy and well behaved. But we were just getting started. I'll post Chapter Two tomorrow: