Day two started off bright and early with a couple local rummage sales. [Brain: what are you doing? you know you should be curbing expenses. Me: shut up Brain. The money is going towards good causes! Plus, look how pretty! Have a cookie.]
Needless to say, money was spent at the sales.
To lessen the guilt, we went for a short hike up Lions Lookout. The trail partially follows a railroad track, which I later found out was still functional and a steam engine train - the Portage Flyer - runs during the warmer seasons as a tourist attraction. It's going on my list for next time.
That's a fail, Tripadvisor, for not featuring this prominently on the List of Huntsville Attractions. Instead, you had four golf courses in the top 10 attractions. Golf>Train? Seriously?
The trail crosses through a track field in a forest. Just a track field, no adjacent buildings, surrounded by trees. Am I the only one who finds this bizarre?
A steep hill later, a nice gazebo awaited at the final destination.
Initially, I thought Lions Lookout had something to do with a lion-shaped natural formation nearby. Alas, it's so named because the gazebo was donated by the local Lions Club, which was a little disappointing.
Half an hour of trudging through the Wilson's Falls trail and being eaten alive by mosquitoes later, we came to the sad realization that the best view of the falls was not on the trail but next to the electrical generator building, a mere twenty meters from the parking lot.
We also managed to pick up a couple of apple varieties I've never tried before: Braeburn (sweet, semi-crisp) and Jonagold (tart, crisp) on this trip, which just about wraps everything up.
Needless to say, money was spent at the sales.
To lessen the guilt, we went for a short hike up Lions Lookout. The trail partially follows a railroad track, which I later found out was still functional and a steam engine train - the Portage Flyer - runs during the warmer seasons as a tourist attraction. It's going on my list for next time.That's a fail, Tripadvisor, for not featuring this prominently on the List of Huntsville Attractions. Instead, you had four golf courses in the top 10 attractions. Golf>Train? Seriously?
Pretty view along the trail.
And chipmunks... just because.
The trail crosses through a track field in a forest. Just a track field, no adjacent buildings, surrounded by trees. Am I the only one who finds this bizarre?
Initially, I thought Lions Lookout had something to do with a lion-shaped natural formation nearby. Alas, it's so named because the gazebo was donated by the local Lions Club, which was a little disappointing.
But the views did not disappoint. The whole town can be seen from this vantage point.
The view would have been even better without the wire fences - safety is overrated.
And yes, we could have driven right up to the gazebo instead of the hike. What can I say other than that I'm glutton for punishment.
My obsession with waterfalls compelled a visit to the nearby town of Bracebridge, known for its many waterfalls. I've been to Bracebridge before to check out its eponymous falls right in the town centre and High Falls. This time I was back for another waterfalls - Wilson's Falls.
Sidebar: the name Bracebridge always reminds me of the Gilmore Girls episode "The Bracebridge Dinner" A little Googling reveals that it's actually a real thing. But at seven courses and $400 a pop, it's not for those with weak stomachs or short of cash.
Half an hour of trudging through the Wilson's Falls trail and being eaten alive by mosquitoes later, we came to the sad realization that the best view of the falls was not on the trail but next to the electrical generator building, a mere twenty meters from the parking lot.
A lovely lunch at the #1 restaurant in Huntsville - "The Little Place by the Lights" - surprisingly affordable and delicious Italian food.
