Fabulous Fall Creek Falls Fun 2025

 Friday, October 4

The RV was packed and ready to leave at 10 am.  The challenge had been to plan, shop and pack enough food for 10 people from Friday supper through Sunday lunch.

We got to the park in good time and were able to get an early check-in to Lakeside Villa #21.  It was a long stairway down and then along the row to our cabin on the end. Lots of steps to unload, but we got it done and had our lunch on the deck.  

David's family arrived about 2 pm and the fun began with fishing off the deck.  Allison and Evangeline were the most persistent fisher-girls, but Owen got into it too.  The fun intensified when Laura and Mike arrived at 3 with bicyles and kayaks. Everyone who wanted a turn paddling got a chance, even me.  It had been a couple of years since I've been kayaking and I enjoyed it immensely.  Laura and I paddled around the bend past the villas and realized that a whole new section of the lake opened that we had never seen.

I took great pleasure in watching the children (young and old) having fun together.  I remember my Mother expressing that same feeling when our children were young. John's favorite activity was exploring with Undle Mike the woods and end of the cove near the cabin.  All four kids enjoyed doing that.

The gluten-free scones - pumpkin, pumpkin with butterscotch chips and blueberry were a big hit for snacking.

Fishing, bike riding, skating, kayaking... we were all pretty worn out by dark.  I made tacos for supper and the older kids played their board game after.

Saturday, October 5

Allison, Evangeline and Davide were up to greet the sunrise.  I turned the oven on early to bake the biscuits.  Sausage, eggs and scones completed breakfast. Of course, fishing started early, too.  After breakfast, the gang was ready to tackle the hike down to the base of the falls, so they loaded up and drove over.  Bill and I left about an hour later to meet them on their return.  We all hiked around the rim of the canyon and across the swinging bridge to the Nature Center.  Laura and Mike continued the look back to the Fall to get the vehicles. We took some time to go explore the Nature Center. Then David's gang trekked down to the base of the Cascades to get their feeet wet in the cold creek water.

Mike picked us up in the RV and by the time we got back to the cabin everyone was more than ready for lunch - ham, turkey or roast beef sandwiches.  A rest was in order for the grown-ups, but it didn't last long.

At 3, all five girls took off for a trail ride, something Laura and I have always wanted to do but never got the chance. Bill and John drove to the stable to witness all of us mounting up.  I managed with a bit of help to get on and off without embarassment. Horse lovers Allison and Evangeline were very excited about the change to really ride a horse. It was Evangeline's first time, but Allison had a little exerience at horse camp a couple of years ago. Even Trisha decided to go along.  The ride was a peaceful slow walk, single file, along a wooded trail, about 2.5 miles, a little less than an hour. My hipbone hurt every step of the way, but it was more than worth it to share this experience with my granddaughters.

While the girls were riding horses, David and Owen rode their bikes to the Falls and back. The bike path winds along the lake from the lodge to the dam, then takes a shortcut through the woods to the top of the Falls. 

Meanwhile, back at the cabin, Mike and John explored more of the woods and walked along the trail past the villas and around the bend where Laura & I had kayaked. 

More fishing and kayaking before supper - What a day!

Supper was a pasta bar with gluten-free and regular spaghetti noodles, aflfredo sauce or red marinara, with groung beef or sauteed shrimp topping, and cheese of course.  There was also a little salad for those who wanted it.  More games and early bedtime for some of us.

Sunday, October 6

Another sunrise morning for our early birds, but the rest of us took our time getting started. Breakfast was the same as Saturday and by 10 the gang was ready for some pickle-ball. Trisha skipped this outing, but Bill and I went along to watch, but since there were not benches, we soon decided to walk to the camp store.  David picked us up there after they were done.  Bikes had been loaded in anticipation of another ride.  So back across the dam vehicles were parked and bikes unloaded for the ride back to the cabin. Bill and I chose to walk the bike trail around the lake.  David, Owen and Mike rode back to bet the vehicles and David picked us up at the lodge, saving us the uphill climb to the cabin. 

Lunch was also a repeat. There was still a little time for more fishing and/or kayaking and/or exploring before it was time to load up and leave for Missouri.  Laura and Mike stayed longer and had one more paddle around the lake before it was time for them to be on the road.

I surely got quiet!

As the sun went down, Bill and I celebrated by sitting on the deck as the sun went down. with cheese and crackers, Prosecco and beer. Being with our adult children and grandchildren, sharing their fun and watching them play outdoors and enjoying nature, brought me great joy.  It was a priceless weekend.

Our checkout was not until Tuesday morning, so we anticipated a quiet and restful day on Monday.

Complete Photo Album, including pictures from David, Trisha, Mike and Laura. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EawfD9j2sSykwFV68