August 19, 2019

We took a break for a couple months. During the summer Mom spent a lot of time going to a pool. I’m not sure what that is, but she always came back wet just like when she stands in the big rectangle in our bathroom. I don’t know why she would have to leave to get wet, when she could do that here, but regardless it caused us to take a long hiatus from hiking for awhile. But we still managed to find another waterfall and get back started hiking! This hike was really hard! I guess it didn’t help that we had taken such a long break, but this sure was harder than any of the last ones we tried. There are two ways to hike to Laurel Falls. One is from the Hampton Blueline. The other is from Dennis Cove along the Appalachian Trail. Mom had done the trail starting on the Hampton Blueline before, so this time we decided to walk to the falls via the Appalachian Trail. I think we made a mistake. The way to the falls was really easy for the most part. There were some parts with tall steps. I had fun hopping up to each one, but Mom had to take a short break every time we made it to the top of them. At the end we came out much higher than the base of the falls. From there we had a long, steep descent to get to the waterfall. It was pretty hard. Every time I would make it a few steps down, I would have to stop to let Mom catch up. We slipped a couple times but eventually made it to the bottom. The waterfall has a swimming hole that was even bigger than the last one I had tried to swim in. We walked out pretty far. This time Mom had put a big coat on me. I don’t know what it did but it was kind of heavy. Mom told me that it would help me swim, but I wasn’t keen on testing that theory. I went out as far as I could while still being able to feel the bottom. Mom tried to get me out a little further. I compromised and let her hold me out in the deep end, but I decided not to try that swimming idea on my own just yet. After a few minutes of wading out in the water, we decided to head home. I think going home was the hardest part. That steep rock descent now became a rock ascent, and I had never jumped up so many rocks that high before. I don’t think Mom had either, because there were a couple times when she said to me, “We live on this mountain now.” After finally making it to the top we both flopped down onto the ground and laid there for a long time. It’s a good thing no one else came around; they probably would have thought we died. On the walk back I usually am pulling far ahead of Mom, but this time it took everything I had in me to keep up with her heels which were barely leaving the ground themselves. I have to say, this one really pushed our limits. I think we need a lot more practice so eventually hikes like this will be easy for us. 🐾⛰