Weekly Hike: Denny Cove

 

Our family is in count-down mode to a big road trip that will take us out west for about a month. 

 

As we are winding down our days in Tennessee, I decided that our hiking group should take advantage of the beautiful weather and do a waterfall hike that would take us a bit out of our normal hiking area (officially this is our last hike before our trip... unofficially we might try to squeeze in one more short hike next week).

 

So for today's hike we drove up to Jasper, TN to the tail-end of the Fiery Gizzard and hiked the Denny Cove Trail that is a part of South Cumberland State Park. It was so worth the hike (minus the slight detour of getting off the trail and having to climb a boulder field to get back on track).

My boys and I have been talking about joy this week (each week we discuss a specific character trait that is important to our family). Joy has to do with more than a feeling. It is related to happiness, but it is a choice and it is something evident in our faces and actions (even when we don't feel joyful).

Walking up to this waterfall gave me immense joy. As we got closer and felt the mist and saw the rainbow hovering over the center of the falls, I couldn't help but grin.

It doesn't matter that we are stressed at home about this upcoming trip we are trying to get ready for, or the fact that the kids sometimes act the exact opposite of joyful, that waterfall gave me joy. 

 

And when I am having a hard day, sometime in the future, I am going to remember Denny Cove and let myself feel joy in spite of whatever circumstance life has thrown at me.

 

 

This was our 17th hike in 2021 (17/52), with 3 miles over rocky terrain bringing our total miles hiked this year to 50 (my friends said it felt more like 5 miles).

 

I love that each of our hikes ends with me and Isaac walking together. He still likes to hold my hand as we finish our hike.

February

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The weather in February was all over the place. Hot one day, freezing the next. Then foggy and then hot again. Repeat. The snomageddon that hit the south missed us completely. 

Still, we managed to fit in weekly playground meetups and weekly hikes with our friends, completing five hikes over the course of the month which brings us to 15 hikes and 47 miles walked so far this year. 

On a sad note, we had to say goodbye to friends who were moving back to where they were originally from. We made the most of our last week with these friends, hanging out every single day last week.

It was a busy month that flew by –– which was a nice change after January seemed to drag and drag. We are now gearing up for a busy month with lots of traveling.

Field Trip to the Tennessee Aquarium

 

 

Our last trip to the Tennessee Aquarium was five and a half years ago! So when a friend said she had extra tickets for kids and asked if we wanted to tag along, I decided to change our school plans and make it a field trip day.

 

 

First up was the River Aquarium where we checked out the otters. 

 

 

 

Isaac was a baby on our last visit, so he was extra excited. But both boys had a great morning. The sharks were their favorites, but I think the giant rays and turtles, as well as monster catfish and gar were a close second.

 

 

 

After an hour of walking through the River Aquarium, we made our way to the Ocean Aquarium Building. First up is the touch tank. Isaac was really nervous about touching the rays, but finally got the courage (after he realized that his arm was wet for 'no reason' if he didn't find some courage). Both boys thought the rays felt slimy.

 

 

 

 

The penguins are always my favorite. A few of them were swimming while we were there. They are so funny to watch pop up out of the water and onto the dry ground with no use of arms.

 

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Normally the kids enjoy climbing through the exhibits, where you can pop your head up under water, but all of those exhibits were blocked off due to Covid. We still enjoyed viewing the giant crabs and other sea creatures through the glass.

 

We finally made it to the shark tank (saved the best for last!). Watching the giant sea turtle and manta rays and sharks are always a favorite. I could sit by these tanks for hours.

We ended our morning at the aquarium by walking under the shark tanks. There were a couple of divers cleaning the tanks while we were there and the kids got a kick out of waving to the divers as they worked.

 

Most of our activities over the last year have been outside and maskless, so two hours with a mask on was a pain. But I am glad we went.

I know the Aquarium has taken a financial hit this year due to Covid. So if you have the opportunity to go and support this local landmark of our community, I would encourage you to do so.