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Rock House revisit Sun 10 Apr 2016 - Album

Click on headline for introduction and photo(s) of the visit. - EW

By Ed Waggener

The visit was only four hours. And there was one priority for our oldest grandson, a visit to Rock House. The first time he visited it, took off up the trail to the top of the Creelsboro Arch and never forgot.

So it was on Sunday, April 10, 2016, with an assignment from Jim yet to be completed, the vote was 4 for and 1 acquiescence, to see the Rock House again.




The Rock House never disappoints; even though its reward were not our primary aims that day, the trip was a near perfect one.

Great Mema, Geniece Marcum, found a fond memory, a confirmation that there had been a burial ground on top of the arch.

Linda and I didn't find 1) Trillium in bloom, 2) The brightest show of dogwood, nor 3) our first sighting of wild iris this year. They were all near misses. But the wildflowers we did see were well worth the trip. Along with learning anew, that greeting and photographing wildflowers at their level is just as important as taking photos of kids and pets at their eye levels is the only way. Along the steep banks in Rock House Bottom, the perspective was imposed. No work to it.

Watching Graham's agility was something to behold. And to watch his Dad try, and almost keep up with him was quite a show. Pen scaled the steep path to the trail at the Top of the Arch, but had to admit he was winded. In the meantime, our grandson was up and down the cliff, actually running most of the way.

The Rock House is only about 20 miles from Columbia, almost as near as it is to Jamestown and Russell Springs. Our Revisit 10 April 2016, was taken on a whim. But it surely won't be our last, just as surely as the next visit won't be the same.


This story was posted on 2016-04-12 12:27:30
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Rock House Revisit: The Creelsboro arch entrance monument



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM photo.
The Creelsboro Arch Monument at the entrance to Rock House Bottom gives a brief history of the area. It reads: Creelsboro Arch, unpublicized and uncommercialized. 300,000,000 million years old -- danger falling rock and snake area. History of area: used by Indians fishing and hunting here in summer, burying dead on top. Rediscovered by the Long Hunters in 1792, named the Rock House in 1812 when the settlers used it for meetings and as picnic area. Chapel built from natural materials, canopy of heaven is the roof, the good earth is the floor, the void between heaven and earth is the walls. On the right side, it reads: Say a prayer for the dead, John (Danny) McFarland 1906-1981; Thomas H. Goff 9-6-1915; Mae Lorene Goff 9-21-1922; Lorene Diana Goff 12-21-1945; Deborah Goff Betham - 28-1954; William S. H. Betham 1-28-1972; Ryan Paul Betham 7-4-1973.

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Rock House Revisit: Marker at entrance



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener.
A second marker at the entrance acknowledges the labor of Thomas Goff and wife to save the arch from destruction with a 1987 plaque for "Creelsboro Natural Bridge," designated a National Natural Landmark.

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Rock House Revisit: The landward face of the arch



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell County, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM photo.
Gaining access to the arch is difficult for all but the most agile. This view through the Rock House gives a glimpse of the Cumberland River on the other side. Graham's goal was to repeat a climb to the top of the arch. To the left, there is a steep climb, his usual path. To the right, it's almost straight up.

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Rock House Revisit: Straight up to the top



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM photo.
That's Graham in the red shirt, making his first sprint up the steep side.

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Rock House Revisit: Straight down fall - River flowing west



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Pen Waggener.
There are no guard rails along the top of the arch trail. This view of the Cumberland River, flowing west toward Burkesville, KY hints at the disastrous consequences if a hiker were to fall from the height.

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Rock House Revisit: A view of the Clinton Co. development



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Pen.
A serpentine root along the trail on top of the Creelsboro Arch anchors, or seems to anchor, an evergreen. The view here is of a vacation development across the Cumberland River, in Cumberland County.

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Rock House Revisit: A run along the top of the arch



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Pen.
Two people made three climbs up the steep face of the Rock House to the Trail. The photographer made one. Graham made two and still had energy to run along the top of the trail path. Grandparents, out of sight, survived with no mental injuries. - EW

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Rock House Revisit: A short pause to take in the view



2016-04-12 - Trail at the top of the Creelsboro Arch, Russell County, KY - Photo by Pen.
Graham paused along the way to enjoy the view from the top of the Creelsboro Arch.

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Rock House Revisit: Flowers along the climb



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Pen.
Wild phlox right a eye level on the climb to the top of the arch. - EW

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Rock House Revisit: Across the River framed by the arch



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, KY - Photo by Graham.
A view through the arch framing one of the new vacation homes across the Cumberland River.

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Rock House Revisit: Blue wildflowers along the way



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Pen.
These blue flowers growing in Rock House bottom were gorgeous. A search of wildflower photos suggests it might be Baby Blue Eyes. But more expert advice would be appreciated. - EW

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Rock House Revisit: Wild Flowers - little white flower



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM.
A wildflower along the trail around Rock House Bottom - awaiting ID. Anyone help? - CM

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Rock House Revisit: Purple Wildflower in need of ID



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM.
Still searching for the identification of this wildflower - Good Samaritan aid appreciated. - EW. Jill Petrey Jill Petrey identifies this flower as Dwarf Larkspur

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Rock House Revisit: Trillium, pretty even before the bloom



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM photo.
A goal of the Rock House Revisit, at least of some the older generation, was to see the first Trillium in bloom. It hadn't happened, but the plants are pretty, even before the Big Event.

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Rock House Revisit: Extraordinary Landmark - Anywhere else



2016-04-12 - Rock House Bottom, Creelsboro, Russell Co., KY - Photo by Ed Waggener, CM.
Fear of falling into this delightful little stream along the highway was enough to put the frighteners on some of our intrepid party. The discovery of this jewel of a little falls was wonderful, but the falls will probably never, ever get the renown it should, being so close to the spectacular Creelsboro Arch and the magnificent Cumberland River. One wonders, if waterfalls had the option, if it would not be a major tourist attraction if could just up and move to Adair County, where waterfalls of this magnitude are, to put it Countese, skase, mighty skase. - EW

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