Falls Branch Trail - Lake Catherine State Park

For our annual trip to Chicago, we decided to drive this year.  There were many reasons for this:

1.  In April when we drove 17 hours to Florida the girls did awesome!

2.  Flights were super expensive as always over the summer.

3.  When driving you don't have the airport frustrations and packing issues - we even got to bring the girls' strider bikes!

4.  We decided to throw a baby shower for Aunt Taylor while we were there and could easily bring everything home.

The four of us set out July 22nd..  Kevin just started a new job June 23rd so when I say four of us, I mean the girls and I and Aunt Taylor.  She was off for the summer from teaching and offered to join us.  Not sure if she (or I knew) what we were getting our selves into.  

The first day was fantastic!  We drove as far as Little Rock.  We stopped off in Hot Springs at Lake Catherine State Park to do a little hiking.  I didn't want to just drive straight through.  This looked like a lovely hiking spot not too far off the main highway.  Plus after Little Rock, there really isn't anywhere nice to stay for at least several more hours.

There was a two mile hiking loop with a water fall a half mile in if you hiked it backwards.  I figured that would be enough for 2 three year olds, a pregnant lady and me on a hot July day.  We set off with great expectation!  And even found this cool bridge.

Stopping to take a little rest and wait for folks to come in the other direction confirming that there really was a waterfall along the path....

Lake Catherine was beautiful and thankfully the trail was mostly shaded.  There were 5-10 foot drop offs to the lake that made me a little nervous.

After at least 45 minutes we FINALLY made it to the trickle!!  We knew because of the lack of rain it wouldn't be large, but at least we saw the waterfall.

You too can see it if you look closely at the middle of this picture.

The water was beautiful and clear and cool.  We stopped for awhile and threw rocks in the water and rested before the trek back.  We still had at least another hour drive to Little Rock.