Everyday Adventures – Gasden, Alabama
Most days it seems like I am constantly longing to be where I am not. Most days I’m on Pinterest or Instagram creating my dream trip somewhere extreme. I’m jealous of those who are out there living their lives of carefree travel while I am stuck taking tests and sitting in a library.
But who says you can’t have adventure right where you are? Years are made of months, are made of weeks and days, and days are made of moments. And it’s really those moments that make the big trips and vacations seem so wonderful. I see just a glimpse of a moment someone captured on film, I see a snapshot of a second that someone posts, and that’s what I am jealous of, that moment. So I’ve decided to really enjoy each day, and find an adventure right where I am.
Recently on my drive home to Cookeville from Hattiesburg I took a different route than I normally would. I decided to take the scenic highway instead of the interstate, because why not? As I was coming through north Alabama I saw a sign for a State Park, spur of the moment I decided to pull off and check it out. Mittens’ was so tired of sitting in the car, I was ready for both a potty break and a stretch as well, and to top it off there was supposed to be a waterfall!
Gadsden, Alabama is a cute little town, and the park was called Noccalula Falls Park. At first I drove past it and was a bit upset because I couldn’t find the park, but as I turned around to leave town I passed the sign and pulled right in! Mittens’ was in a crazy mood from being in the car all day and kept pulling me around, but we managed to calm down enough to enjoy a short hike and see the waterfall.
The falls is 90-feet and there is a legend behind the name of the park, essentially she was a Cherokee chiefs daughter who fell in love with the “wrong” suitor, and instead of living a life of misery jumped off of the waterfall to her death.
After about 45 minutes of hiking and looking around Mittens and I returned to the car to finish our trip. I didn’t get any photos of the waterfall because it was so cold my phone turned off, so these images are from exploresouthernhistory.com and noccalulafallspark.com you can also watch drone footage of the falls on their site, as well as look into what else the park has to offer.
If you get the chance I highly recommend stopping by this park, I know I will be going back when the weather is a bit warmer to enjoy some more of the trails. Let us know where your spur of the moment everyday adventures have been, and make sure to tag us in those photos on Instagram @thefloatingcottage!!
