Letchworth State Park- beginning of winter

The day after Christmas,as we wondered how Mom/Claudia/Grandma would celebrate her birthday, Travis suggested we go for a hike. I scoffed; although we don't have any snow on the ground (boo hoo!) it is still chilly outside, and all the rain we had made the ground rather soggy. Still, he has so little time off (he still has to feed the fish twice a day and with all the students home over Christmas that duty falls to him alone), I wanted to do some things that he wanted to.

So, we loaded up the van and drove to Letchworth State Park, bundled in our parkas. We brought binoculars and a camera and a camel pack (that was used, but not worn). The girls were sad to leave Licorice, our kitten, home alone. They wish we could have brought her hiking with us. Maybe another time- after the ground isn't soggy or half frozen, and after she gets used to a harness!

The drive was pretty and as we started driving on the windy road, the sun started to peak out. It was beautiful. Although we were unable to actually hike (the trains by the water were closed- too slippery, I suppose), we did have fun racing around and taking pictures, and playing "tag".

Mt. Morris Dam- one day we will tour this place.

Although you can't see much water here, there is some right under the ledge we are standing on.

It was windy and cold!

Wolf Creek Falls

I love this little crouching Nica! She was using the binoculars and was so excited.

I was looking over the edge at Wolf Creek Falls.

Waterfall from a culvert- draining from the west side of the park down into Genesee River

Looking south along the Genesee River. You can't quite see the middle falls at this point.

Looking north along the Genesee River.

Lookout over the middle falls. We've been here in three seasons now! First Winter (today in December 2014) & Snowy Winter (February 2014), Summer (July 2014), and Fall (October 2013). I wonder what it looks like in Spring?

Upper Falls. There was a LOT more volume of water, and it was dirty brown. I wonder if this is normal, or if it was from all the rain we'd had the last week. Maybe a combination?

At the upper falls. Let me just point out this is one of the few times Nica has voluntarily chosen to wear jeans.

The sun came out. It felt WONDERFUL!

The girls agreed with me.

Middle Falls- you can see Megan learning out over the right side at the top of the falls.

Lots of spray

Another culvert drain waterfall.

Travis said he's seen a rainbow every time he's been to this waterfall (twice). It was great to see the sunshine peeking through the clouds. I love sunshine and rainbows and waterfalls!

Middle Falls seen from the road- the walkway below (in the lower edge of the photo) was closed off. I guess it, too, gets too slippery in the winter (especially when it is colder and the water freezes!)

Middle Falls seen from the road, you can see the train trestle that spans the upper falls in the treeline.

I am looking forward to late spring and early summer so we can actually go hiking here in Letchworth. Although, I am also looking forward to our ward's snow day here in February. We had a lot of fun last year, and I think 2015 will be great, too!