Isn’t it embarrassing when you discover a fantastic spot that you’ve never heard of before…
…and it’s twenty-five minutes from your house?
That happened to me today. Well not all today, since I “discovered” the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve a couple of weeks ago, digitally-speaking.
But it was only today that we finally got up there. I swear it took me longer to pack and load up the provisions and supplies than it did to actually travel the – what – twelve miles north.
It’s a simple place , and exactly what it says – a nature preserve centered on a creek. (And with a history, as well) Turkey Creek, which is a tributary of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. The main attraction these days is a rocky stretch of creek that’s fashioned itself into a waterfall and, in terms of its human function, a water slide.
It was a lovely day. Groups of friends and families came and went. I imagine the place is pretty crowded on weekends. A genial fellow in authority came and asked to check our cooler. No alcohol allowed. I was in the clear, just so you know.
The waterfall and slide run is just below this flat area.
Putting in
Back for another run
Lunch break
I really can’t believe this is so close to me, and I’d never heard of it. I’m indebted to this great local roamschooling site for the information, detailed directions and warnings (the rocks are – as that writer notes – incredibly slick. And she was also right about the socks, too. For as long as they stayed on feet, they were most helpful in keeping everyone upright).
I will say, though, that as lovely a day as it was, and as much as I enjoy seeing the boys ecstatically enjoying careening down the rock/water slide, it wasn’t exactly a relaxing experience for me – I was on high alert the entire time because those slippery rocks and a 7-year old who may be smart but who apparently has not yet learned the meaning of not only “don’t leave your shoes in the middle of the living room,” but also, “don’t jump on the rocks. I mean it. STOP JUMPING.”
[...] rocks were slippery though – but they learned their lessons at Turkey Creek (where we’ll be returning this week), and know that hands and knees are often the safest mode [...]