Our Life - Travel Guides & Photography » Spring Trips

Triple Falls

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:03:34 +0000

Triple Falls is one of the 3 waterfalls of Little River in DuPont State Forest, North Carolina. It was featured in the movie “Last of the Mohicans“. Triple Falls gets its name from its three different cascades :-

Upper Triple Falls
Middle Triple Falls
Lower Triple Falls

Triple Falls is accessible from the Hooker Falls Parking Area on Staton Road by a trail going upstream along the Little River. You can visit Triple Falls after visiting Hooker Falls which is near the parking lot. From the parking lot, you need to cross the bridge over Staton Road and you will find stairs that go down to the trail head. The trail is roughly half mile long and is moderate in difficulty.

Lower Cascades

Just before the trail begins heading uphill, there is a side path that leads out to the river. If the rocks are not slippery and the water levels are low, you can walk over the rocks and go up to the base of the lower section of the falls. The lower cascades are beautiful and you can enjoy the water sprays.

Upper Viewing Area/Overlook

The main Triple Falls Trail runs parallel to the river and ascends a steep slope leading to a Viewing Area on the left. You can get a complete view of Triple Falls from this Viewing point.

Middle Triple Falls

There is a wooden staircase that leads down to the Middle Section of Triple Falls. The middle section is relatively flat and you can sit back and relax over here. You can walk up to the base of Middle Cascades and view the Upper Cascades from a distance.

Here are some photos from our trip to Dupont State Forest.

Cape Henry Light House

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:57:37 +0000

Cape Henry Lighthouse is located within Fort Story military base in the City of Virginia Beach. The lighthouse silently guards the entry way into the Chesapeake Bay. The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government, dating from 1792. It is 26 feet in diameter at its base, and 16 feet at its top. The Old Lighthouse stands near Cape Henry Memorial and First Landing Cross – the spot where Captain Newport raised a cross in 1607, to offer thanks for their safe crossing of the Atlantic. The Old lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark. Within view of the old Cape Henry Lighthouse is its 1881 replacement. The new Cape Henry Lighthouse is equipped with electrical and mechanical systems which still guides sea traffic safely into the harbor.

The Lighthouse is opened to the public on a seasonal schedule. To visit the lighthouse, you must pass through the security gates of Fort Story, and you need to have Photos Ids. You can enjoy beautiful views from the Observation Platform atop the old Lighthouse. The beach near the Lighthouse is wonderful and you can take a stroll and relax without worrying about the bustling crowds.

Here are some photos of Cape Henry Lighthouse from our Virginia Trip.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

admin — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:52:24 +0000

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) is a 23-mile (37-km) long bridge-tunnel crossing the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and connecting the Delmarva Peninsula’s Eastern Shore of Virginia with Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, Virginia. It is a modern engineering marvel and is considered the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex. It was opened in 1965. It includes two one-mile (1.6 km) long tunnels beneath Thimble Shoals and Chesapeake navigation channels, four artificial islands, two high-level bridges over two other navigation channels: North Channel Bridge and Fisherman Inlet Bridge, Fishing Pier and more. The CBBT promotes the bridge-tunnel as not only a transportation facility to tourist destinations to the north and south, but as a tourist destination itself.

There are 2 Scneic Overlooks where drivers may stop to enjoy the views of the Atlantic – at the north end of the bridge and at Sea Gull Island, near the south end. At Sea Gull Island, passing ships may include U.S. Navy warships, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, as well as large cargo vessels and sailing ships. The CBBT authority runs a restaurant and gift shop on the island. Fishing is encouraged from the 625-foot (191 m)-long pier, which is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Restrooms, fish-cleaning stations and a certified weighing station are at the pier.
Toll collection facilities are located at the both ends of the facility. Tolls are paid in each direction. For Toll Information, please visit the Official Site.

Here are some photos from our Trip to Chesapeake Bay.

Carowinds Theme Park

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:17:32 +0000

Carowinds Theme Park is a 122-acre theme park, located on the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina, in Charlotte and Fort Mill, respectively. The park opened on March 31, 1973 with a vision of bringing the 2 states close together. Carowinds opens in late March each year and closes in early November, after the park’s Halloween event, “Scarowinds“.

Though the park is relatively small, it has both land and water rides to thrill people of all age groups. It remains a popular theme park in Carolinas and can be crowded in summers. For all those who stay in Charlotte and Fort Mill areas, the park is convenient for a day trip.The tickets are expensive but the Season Passes are a real deal. Food is not allowed inside the park but you can go outside for Lunch and re-enter the park. Many people pack picnic lunches and come out of the park to have it. Like any other Theme park, the food is really expensive inside the park.

We visited Carowinds during our first year in Charlotte. We had taken season passes and hence visited the park couple of times. We enjoyed the thrilling Roller Coasters like Afterburn, Carolina Cobra, Vortex and Nighthawk. The Water Rides weren’t impressive but the Wave Pool and Lazy River were good enough. Here are a few photos from our trip.

Hooker Falls

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:09:12 +0000

Hooker Falls is a well known Waterfall in Dupont State Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. It is formed where Little River drops off a 13-foot high natural ledge before flowing into Cascade Lake. Though not very high, it is wide and looks great. It is a popular swimming hole specially during summer. You can often see Kayak enthusiasts going over the falls through Little River. The waterfall looks beautiful specially during Fall season.

Hooker Falls has been known for years to local residents and was named for Edmund Hooker, who operated a mill below the falls in the late 1800s. At the time, it was named Mill Shoals Falls. This waterfall was featured in the movie “Last of the Mohicans”.

Visitors may park at the Hooker Falls parking area, and then hike the short Hooker Falls Trail for roughly 1/4 mile along a gravel road. There are 2 views of the falls, the first overlooking the falls from above, and a second view from across the plunge pool that lets you view the entire falls from its base. There are no restroom facilities. There are many trails nearby and a few Picnic Spots.

You can get directions to Hooker Falls here.

You can read about the different Waterfalls of North Carolina here.

We visited Hooker Falls during the last week of Fall 2009. Dupont State Forest is near to Pisgah National Forest. So you can cover a few waterfalls from both Dupont and Pisgah Forests in one day. Here are some photos from our Trip.

Click on the thumbnails to view larger images.

BrookGreen Gardens

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:35:22 +0000

During our trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we visited BrookGreen Gardens near Murrells Inlet. It is situated 18 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Brookgreen has more than 300 acres of gardens and facilities that are open to the public. In addition there are excursions that take visitors to parts of Brookgreen more than 6,000 acres that are not generally open to the public.

In 1931, Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington founded Brookgreen Gardens, a non-profit garden museum, to preserve the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural setting. Once a rice plantation, today, Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world and has the only zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the coast of the Carolinas.

It is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. The admission fee is $12 for adults. Admission tickets are valid for seven consecutive days.

These are some of the interesting things to do at Brookgreen:-

Brookgreen Gardens, the first public sculpture garden in America, has in its collection more than 1,200 works by 350 sculptors.
The Low Country Zoo is home to native animals that live in the woods, swamps and waters of the Low Country. You get to see Alligators, Bald Eagles, River Otters, Red Foxes, Owls, Deers and more.
The Cypress Aviary is the only known aviary built over an existing cypress swamp where you can stroll through on an elevated boardwalk and observe the birds feeding and flying in this natural setting.
The Oaks Plantation History and Nature Trail is a self-guided walking trail through the woods. Visitors can see the archeological site of the former plantation house, the foundation of the spring house, Alston family cemetery, and the slave village.
Low Country Excursions have Cruises on a 48-foot pontoon boat along rice fields now home to alligators and waterfowls.

We had only 1 day to visit Brookgreen Gardens but you actually need atleast 2 days to absorb the beauty of these majestic gardens. We were able to cover most of the gardens and the zoo but couldn’t go for the Cruise and History Trail. So if you are visiting Brookgreen gardens, make sure to plan ahead and visit for at least 2 days.

Visit the Website of Brookgreen for more information.

Cypress Gardens, South Carolina

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:59:15 +0000

During our trip to Charleston, South Carolina, we happened to visit the beautiful Cypress Gardens. It is located 25 miles north of Charleston, SC.

Cypress Garden was the areas largest rice plantation, once upon a time. Now it has been converted to a beautiful garden. The black water swamp and cypress trees offer breath taking views. Cypress Gardens is composed of approximately 80 acres of open swamp. Movies like ‘The Patriot’ and ‘The Notebook’ have been filmed here. The admission price is $10 for adults.

There are boat rides through the black water swamp. Guided boat rides cost $5 and the self guided boat rides are free. We were lucky enough to spot wild turtles and alligators in the swamp, during our boat ride. There are many beautiful trails around the swamp and you can often catch a glimpse of wild life.

Cypress Gardens Butterfly House is open year around and features various species of butterflies, turtles and birds. The Freshwater aquarium at Cypress Gardens features the fish, reptiles and amphibians found at the swamp. The Reptile Center features many native venomous and non-venomous snakes. There is also and exotic Bird Aviary.

Visit the official website for more details.

Here are some photos from our Trip.

Here is the Gallery View of all Photos.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

admin — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:17:50 +0000

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located just west of Charlotte at the N.C./S.C. state line, outside the town of Belmont, North Carolina. It’s a beautiful place and a must see for all nature lovers.Those who are staying in and around Charlotte, NC and Fort Hill, South Carolina should definitely visit this botanical garden. We celebrated Easter 2009 at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Here are some snaps from our Trip. Enjoy!!!

Please visit the Official Website for more information.

Here is the Gallery View of all Photos.

World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia

admin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:49:26 +0000

World of Coca-Cola was the second place we visited in Atlanta, Georgia after Georgia Aquarium. It is situated right opposite to Georgia Aquarium at Pemberton Place. The World of Coca-Cola was opened in May 2007.

It’s a beautiful place to explore and learn the history of the world famous drink – COCA COLA. There are about 1200 artifacts from around the world.

You get to taste more than 60 varieties of drinks from all around the world. That was a really interesting tasting experience. We got to taste some good flavors like Bibo - a kiwi drink. There is a 4D show (3D with moving seats) which is quite good.

You also get to see a fully functional bottling line and get to take home an 8 ounce bottle of COCA- COLA.

There is a 7 foot tall Polar Bear who is always ready to pose with you for your snaps. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Visit the official site of World of Coca-Cola here.

Here are some photos from our Trip.

Here is the Gallery View of all Photos. Click on the thumbnails to view larger images.

Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:13:58 +0000

Atlanta is a beautiful city, and is the capital of Georgia State. It is a major business center and is equally famous for tourism. Atlanta is 4 hours drive from Charlotte, North Carolina. We had decided to explore Atlanta on Martin Luther King long weekend in Jan 2009.

Georgia Aquarium was the first place on our List. Georgia Aquarium was opened to the public on November 23, 2005. It claims to be the world’s largest indoor aquarium. Georgia Aquarium features more animals than any other aquarium in more than eight million gallons of water. You will love every minute you spend in the aquarium. The White Beluga Whales, Giant Whale Sharks, tiny garden eels, lovely Pacific Sea Nettles will make you fall in love with under water creatures.

The aquarium is divided into different sections – Georgia Explorer, River Scout, Cold Water Quest, Ocean Voyager, Tropical Diver and so on. You also get to see Deepo’s UnderSea 3D WonderShow at the 4D Theater but you need to pay extra for that.

There is also a special Behind the Scenes Tour which requires a separate ticket.

Titanic Aquatic is a new exhibition which again requires a separate ticket. It brings to life the story of the fated Titanic through authentic artifacts and hands-on interactive experiences. Titanic Aquatic includes a vast collection of more than 190 artifacts recovered from Titanic’s debris field including 40 that have never been seen before.

The visit to Georgia Aquarium was absolutely entertaining and fascinating. It was a good educational experience for us. You can spend an entire day in the aquarium viewing the amazing varieties of the Under Water World.

Click here to visit the Official Website of Georgia Aquarium.

Here are some snaps from our Trip. Enjoy!!!

Here is the Gallery View of all Photos.