It's Called 'Fall Creek Falls' For A Reason...
If there's one thing we learned this week, it's that the human body can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.
Here's the story...
We spent Sunday afternoon at Fall Creek Falls in Pikeville, Tennessee (near McMinnville). Jim's parents were here for the weekend. It was slightly chilly, and slightly misty outside, so we just took a few photographs of the waterfalls, had lunch at their awesome buffet, then made mental notes for a return trip in weeks to come.
HOWEVER!... Jim's dad became one with nature this weekend!
Within the state park, we stopped at a roadside pull-off to take in the mountainous view.
Pops attempted to get a bit "closer" when he suddenly lost his footing on a steep downward slope and went barreling down the hill...
...also known as a CLIFF! (As in: the same cliffs from which waterfalls flow at Fall Creek Falls state park).
As soon as he started to stumble, the momentum of the hill got the best of him, and he was catapulted briefly into the air -- bouncing from one rock to another on the way down. He finally rolled to a stop toward the edge of the cliff, where he thanked his lucky stars that he was still alive!
Seriously.
Jim watched the whole thing in disbelief while Elouise and I stayed in the car in lieu of braving the chilly air.
I noticed Pops clambering back up the hill with muddy pant legs, a torn jacket, and a bloody elbow -- and I knew right away that something wasn't right.
It might be funny now, but it certainly was scarey at the time!
Guess it's called "FALL Creek FALLS" for a reason...
Yikes! One of the waterfalls I went to has a sign that says "xx people have been killed here" along with their warning to not get too close. They also have rope lines all along the waterfall to assist in bringing up the bodies...gulp!