Summer Saturday

It's been a while since I had a completely free Saturday, so I knew I wanted this one to be special. The question was how to spend it. I didn't want to waste the beautiful weather so I decided to have a "backyard adventure" at Chewacla State Park.

Chewacla is just minutes from my apartment, and it's full of fun and beauty. I started my morning there with a picnic lunch at the base of the waterfall. A ham sandwich and grapes and cookies just tastes so much better outdoors.

The waterfall area was a bit crowded, so after my picnic I moved downstream a little to a more private area.

I was just enjoying it, but thinking about this blog and wishing pictures had sound, so you could all experience the rush of the water and the crickets...

Then I remembered that I had the ability to shoot and upload video. So, for your listening pleasure:

I couldn't resist slipping into my flip flops and wading a bit in the cool water. I thought about wading all the way down the river, but concern for my iPhone and camera led me to eventually continue on foot.

Though I've been to Chewacla at least half a dozen times, I've never hiked beyond this wading spot. It was so nice. Quiet. I saw a lot of great wildlife!

These little beauties were everywhere!

I wasn't quick enough to get pictures of the lizards, but I did almost step on this little guy.

Love these pretty purple flowers, though I don't know what they're called.

After my hike, I headed back to the base of the waterfall for a snack. Oatmeal creme pie, diet mountain dew and people-watching—great way to end my one-mile hike! The waterfall was less crowded, so I snapped this photo for you guys:

As I headed back up from the waterfall, I noticed a little side trail I had never seen before. It looked out over which the body of water from which the waterfall flows, and it was there that I saw them: the paddle boats. I knew I had to rent one. Half an hour and $5 later, I had my own little paddle boat.

The boat-renter guy was a bit dubious about me taking one out alone, but I handled it pretty well! It's easier to paddle with two, but I still enjoyed myself. It was nice to put forth a little physical exertion that had nothing to do with schoolwork or journalism. I must have looked pretty rough when I got back though, because Mr. Boat-Renter Guy offered me a bottle of water.

I had a great day. Chewacla has a lot more to offer than I had the energy to enjoy in one day, so I definitely want to go back soon with my sweetie. Maybe we can take out a canoe or enjoy a game of tennis or Frisbee...maybe one day we could even rent one of the little cabins and hike some more of the trails.

The best part is, I had almost a whole Saturday of entertainment for only $8 dollars, not counting the price of groceries for my picnic lunch. Cheaper than a movie or bowling. Cheaper than the zoo or an aquarium or something, especially considering how far I'd have to drive to find something like that. And I had loads of fun!

It just goes to show you—you can have a fun adventure, right in your own backyard.