Biking and Climbing and Jeeping, Oh My!

We decided to take it easy a bit and just ride our bikes after some domestic chores were completed. We had discovered an old logging road that was fairly flat whilst in search of the recommended, but elusive Peabody Trail head. (which we finally found after about 4 tries!)

It’s not very big – about 1′ x 2′ and was buried in some trees and between two houses!

We ended up going about 4 miles round-trip. I know. For those of you who go 40 miles (CHOKE!!), that’s nothing, but for us, on a day when we were semi-relaxing, it was a good ride. We had to avoid water traps and rocks and rode mostly on hard sand.

A stop to appreciate the scenery

Along the way, we found the back side of the eagle’s nest from the other day. Not nearly as exciting from here.

If you look hard, you can make out the large brown nest about an inch above Blaine’s head

The next day, Blaine was determined to get to the Peabody. It includes a spur trail to “Giant Falls” and it was only a 1.2 mile hike one-way. We were tired from all our other previous days’ activities, so this sounded like a good idea. . . .

Once again, a trail that went straight up! 1,200’ elevation change in 1.2 miles! And on top of that, we had to fling our arms around for about 1/4 of it to keep the mosquitoes and bugs at bay – like the hike itself wasn’t enough of an aerobic workout! And yes. We were wearing Deet. The little buggers still managed to find our faces – even with glasses on, and they swarmed around us which was annoying, even though they didn’t land.

But once we hit a higher elevation, they all disappeared. It turned out to be a spectacular hike! Rocks (which meant climbing in places for me!), woods, and a rocky stream with lots of little waterfalls along most of the trail. We never saw another person and no critters of any kind, except for 2 chipmunks.

Giant Falls was worth the effort! Gorgeous! This is definitely a “best kept secret” place!

The bottom part of Giant Falls

Giant Falls

View down river from where Blaine was standing

No Lunch View today, but here’s our snack view

Back on the Peabody Trail, we decided to explore some more because we’re always afraid we’ll miss something spectacular. We continued up the mountain until we came to a particularly difficult portion of the trail. Debating if we should turn around, Blaine went ahead to scout it out. I told him, “Holler if I should come.” “OK.” Well. I waited and I waited and I waited. And then I started thinking, “I’m sure I’d have heard if he fell of the mountain. . . . . wouldn’t I?” Surprisingly, I had some cell service, so I sent him a text asking if he was OK. Nothing. Then I started to worry, and I’m definitely NOT a worrier. I was just beginning to figure out a way towards where he’d gone, when I heard him come back. Whew! He said he kept hearing water and was trying to see if maybe we were at the top of Giant Falls, but it turned out to be nothing. We turned around.

Ever wonder where tree limbs come from?
We thought this was really neat! The spikes are INSIDE the tree trunk.

View along the Peabody Trail

What Blaine discovered on his personal expedition

Our legs and knees were exhausted by the time we got back to the Jeep, but Blaine had the idea to explore further down that mining road we biked on. In other words, he was hoping to take the Jeep through its paces. He wasn’t disappointed! It got much more Jeep-ified beyond where we turned our bikes around! Rocks that jostled us, fording streams, scratching the sides with branches, watching as the river roared past us. We were pretty isolated. Still, the only critters were a small turtle at the side of the road and some kind of falcon.

A hydroelectric station we passed

Back home.
It’s more of a mess than the picture shows

Tonight was fireworks in town. The poster said “Giant Fireworks” and they were right! It lasted about 25 minutes and took place at 10pm to finish off their 4 day Independence Day celebration. There was a small carnival too.