Fall 2011

Well, another year is almost gone!  Things are great at the ToddPod Pad.  Our "IN-SCHOOL" routine is running smoothly, holidays are on the way, the boys are growing like mad, and we are all well and healthy.  Adam is spending some time at the hunting camp making a deer utopia so he can come later and shoot one.  He is staying in touch with his inner hunter while I maintain my role as gatherer.
Steve is still with us.  We have tried to release him several times but he just runs up Sam's leg into his hands no matter how far away he goes.  I am hoping he'll get twitterpated and wander off into the sunset with a foxy lady squirrel and live happily ever after.

Samuel got chosen for Jazz band and will play in both the 7th grade band and jazz band at the winter concert this year.  I'll try to post a video of him playing soon.  He whistles tunes constantly.  It is cute.  He is 12 now and quite a handsome young man if you ask me :)  He has chosen to do his science fair project on energy production using salt water.  Last year he won first prize in the botany division for his experiment with crude oil and it's impact on the growth rate of collard greens.  He placed 4th in the county and had his project displayed at the University of South Alabama as well.  We are proud of him.

Gabriel Thomas made it into the gifted program and attends P.A.C.E. courses weekly to supplement his lessons.  We are going on a trip to the Mobile Museum of Art with his gifted class in October and he is very excited.  He also learned to tie his shoes this weekend and if you are on our FB friends list you had the opportunity to see his prize: a 3 layer chocolate cake!  He is growing like mad and is our sweet huggable Gabe as always.

Other than being fat and happy we have no great changes to report and that is just fine with us!  The weather is fine and we are enjoying playing outside whenever we can.   

Steve

About two weeks ago the boys (the fab four: Samuel, Cameron, Gabe, and Shayd) found a baby squirrel at Grandma Beth's house.  Some how little Steve got placed in our care at the Todd Pod Pad.  Well, I must admit to being a touch annoyed at the thought of another animal.  I immediately thought of all the problems: Who's going to take care of it?  What if it is carrying parasites or disease?  What if it bites?  Who is going to clean it?  Where will we keep it? What if it dies and breaks their hearts? As a sharing individual, I immediately made my questions known to all in the house.
Samuel, the responsible and kindhearted young man, assured me that he would take care of Steve.  I had my doubts.  They have since been put to rest.  Steve is fed by "Poppa Squirrel" (aka Samuel) every three hours.  He researched what to feed him, he looked up facts about him, he emailed a squirrel rescue (with no reply).  He has been caring for Steve for more than two weeks now and I am seeing the positive side of the situation instead of the negative.

Samuel has shown himself to be consistent, caring, compassionate, and responsible.  I am not precisely sure about what we will do with Steve when he is full grown.  I hope we can place him in the trees and he can live a full natural life. I am concerned that he may be too friendly already.  Time will yield the best solution as it reveals all things when it is ready.  Here is a video of Sam feeding Steve.  His eyes opened a few days ago and I am secretly falling in love with the little rodent.  He is cute.  

Samuel's Fall Band Concert

This is a short clip from Sam's fall concert.  He will have another this month and I am going to get a better video and make a little movie of it to share!

Samuel's Poem

A Hiking We Will Go

A hike I think I will take,                                                  

But there are bags yet to make,

Cheaha mountain is were I will hike,

Does it take twists and turns ups and downs, rounds and rounds!?!? YES!!,

Even so, eventually you will reach the top,

For that is when it ends with all its bends,

Going up was hard,

Hard it was but it is time to go down,

It gets easier to go down,

Just because it is the end does not mean we can not go hiking again,

So it is time to leave, so see ya later alagator!!!!!!!

ToddPod Cheaha Retreat

 

ALL THE PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP. WARNING, THERE ARE MORE THAN YOU CAN VIEW ONE AT A TIME! BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN AND LOOK AT THE VIEWS AND FALLS! (And there are Todd boys swimming in their underwear because that is how we roll) (Click on this paragraph to go to album)

Our Trip To Cheaha Mountain

      The trip began Friday morning around 9 am.  We departed our home in good spirits.  We had a lovely breakfast at the Waffle house less than 10 miles east of our home town.  If you want to know how most of the drive went….let’s just say Gabriel wanted to know how much longer upon leaving the Waffle house.  And he inquired about once every fifteen minutes until we finally arrived at our destination around 4 that afternoon.  


     It probably would have been a faster trip if we had been in a hurry.  However, instead of using a GPS we opted for a printed map, which meant a few turn arounds (not many).  We enjoyed a lovely lunch at an Italian Eatery called Napoli’s followed by a tour around the town (again turn around) of Ashland.  We finally found our way up Cheaha mountain.  The trip up was hilly and thrilling. As we entered the roads of the Talladega National Forrest Adam was really enjoying the 4-wheel drive.  We came to HWY 281 via a small rough road called Adam’s Gap.  We all got a kick out of the name.  


     We checked in with the friendly staff of the state park and made our way to cabin 10.  When we parked the truck I was delighted at the antique qualities our cabin had.  Set in a lovely forest  with a view of the surrounding mountains  there was a stone path leading to our door and a real stone cabin at the end.  We were enchanted.  Their was no TV (thank God) and no phone.  I was concerned the children would complain but they didn’t even mention it.  


     Our first real trek out aside from gathering groceries at the Piggly Wiggly (a name very amusing to the boys) was to the Adam’s Gap trail head.  We hiked along winding paths sprinkled with beautiful rocks and littered with crushed leaves.  We saw dogwoods blooming among trees with tiny green leaves just peeking out to welcome the spring.  The flowers that bloomed along the trails were royal purples and delicate whites with occasional red berries in the brush.  It was breathtaking.  


We hiked not too far, perhaps 1/4 of a mile (a mountain mile, mind you, ups downs and tricky footing ), and saw a brook trickling down the hillside, many beautiful rocks, lots of trees and an ever-changing view of the horizon thanks to the constant change in elevation.  


We turned back none too soon because our unseasoned youngest son began complaining shortly after.  It was a good experience for all even so.  It is when pushed to the limit that young boys develop new scales for measuring what is difficult and what they are really capable of.  


     Upon returning to the beginning of the trail Adam suggested we go to the top of the nearest hill and see the view.  Adam and Sam made it, Gabe had to stop so I sat with him.  It was a great time.  


     We returned to the cabin and had a spot of lunch then began planning our next adventure.  We wandered around the cabin site and surrounding area.  There we saw a charming lake that rested above a small fall of water.  Gabriel could stand it no longer.  Being of an aquatic nature this was just what he had been waiting for.   The shoes came off, pants hiked up, and off he splashed into the little pool.  Samuel decided to hold back and just lay down playing in it with his fingers.   Probably a wise choice.  While the weather was sunny and mild the red feet that emerged when Gabe decided to get out told me the water was not exactly warm.  


     After a short trip back to the cabin, and a little map consulting by our brave leader, we ventured out on what would be our first real hiking challenge.  A trail which started a stones throw from cabin 10 called Rock Garden Lake trail that leads to the area surrounding Cheaha Lake.  The entire hike one way is 1 and ¼ mile long.  We didn’t quite make it the whole way but we really had an adventure.  Adam estimates we went about a mile total.  The trail is very steep and rocky and borders on climbing in small spots.  Every turn was a physical challenge but brought such beautiful and amazing views that we barely noticed.  The first spot we rested at was slightly off the path and in the shadow of a sheer face of rock.  We sat there and let a light rain shower pass.  After a small snack of nuts and apples we were on the move again.  We climbed and curved toward the sound of running water and found Cheaha falls.  A small but lovely curve of falling water.  The boys climbed a bit further ahead than I did and made me so nervous!  Adam assured me that all was well and under his close watch and my stern warning we allowed them to venture up for a peek.  


     We then walked on down through rocky and steep twists and turns, through cuts in boulders and piney dirt trails, all while under the shade of the pines and budding trees.  We made a really good go of it when we heard a bit of thunder in the distance and agreed that we would be wise to turn about.  Also mine and Adam’s concern for Gabriel’s stamina holding out was beginning to tell us it was time to go back.  After all we had been traveling down hill steadily and that means uphill was the way we would return.  Samuel as usual was setting an excellent example with a cheerful heart.


     Not long after the about face of our hike did our concerns about the youngest of our crew prove to be confirmed.  The whining began.  But after some encouraging words young Gabriel began to tell himself “I can make it.”  I was really proud.  Meanwhile Samuel led our return trip and hiked with such vigor that he left us behind many times and had to wait on us to catch up!   I must say that both boys fared very well and made their Mom and Dad proud.  


     We again stopped at the falls on our return and allowed the boys to take off their pants and shirts and splash about in the shallow pool at the base of them.  The water was not falling hard enough to be of any concern.  This they enjoyed very much and it refreshed them greatly.   


     At the recurring sound of thunder we took up the path again toward our cabin.  Unfortunately the rain began before we made it and gave me quite a fright!  At one point lightening struck and thunder crashed very near to us and every one moved with a speed that was truly amazing to the shelter of the rock facing.  The rain continued to drench us as we navigated the remainder of the trail but we were very near the end.  Aside from wet tennis shoes and clothes we arrived unscathed (apart from my almost heart attack) at cabin 10.  What a relief to be warm.  Adam restoked the fire and we placed our shoes there to dry.  


     After a wash up we began our lovely steak dinner prepared on the grill by Adam and enjoyed the meal together.  Everyone was tired and rested a bit.  We ventured out later for scary stories in the park activities room.  Weather still worsening we retired to our cabin and had popcorn and hot chocolate!  


     Our Saturday at Cheaha State Park was full of fun and adventure and new discoveries.  At the end of the day the complaining had all but stopped and we were just happy to be together in such a beautiful place.  
Through the night Saturday and into the early morning hours of Sunday the weather was quite severe.  Winds buffeted the cabin, hail stones flew in torrents against the walls and windows.  All of spring’s fury seemed intent on scouring the earth of every standing thing.  But our little home away from home prevailed through the heavy storm.  


    Sunday morning was foggy and the grey light revealed the world was not blown away.  There was a new aspect to cabin 10’s  landscape.  A lovely flow of water with small falls and swift rushes was now flowing past the kitchen window and down the mountain.  The boys found it delightful and spent the first bit of the morning damming up places and floating log and leaf boats down the rushing stream of water.  


     Deer were visible in the distance foraging for their breakfast.  I must confess that we had been leaving vegetables and oats outside to encourage their presence.  They seemed quite unafraid and we enjoyed watching them from afar.  


     Our first hike was down a boardwalk to the bald rock.  This was a foggy damp morning so we could not see the view out over the valley but we felt the gravity of the drop off and got to explore the rocks.  Samuel walked back up a trail called the CCC trail that was made in the 1930’s by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps.  They were contracted out by the government to construct things like trails and cabins to help the U.S. come out of the Great Depression.  Samuel informed us about this.  Adam says he is getting a better education than we did.  Thank the Lord.


    We then drove around a bit due to the weather.  We drove down to Cheaha Lake and discovered it would be an excellent place to spend a day when the weather is warmer.  There were many picnic tables, a modern play ground, a dive platform, paddle boats, and public restrooms.  This is the lake we would have reached from the Rock Garden Lake trail had we been able to complete the hike on Saturday. 


     We drove on down gravel roads past valleys and hills ever downward toward what signs promised was the Kentuck Off Road Vehicle (ORV) trail.  Adam is so thrilled about all of the ORV trails.  He is planning to return next spring and bring his four-wheeler.  We followed the gravel road quite a way past pastures and a lone house.  I imaging I would love living in a place so secluded. 


     We returned for lunch and plotted our next excursion.  We were getting set to go the trail that led to Cheaha Falls.  We parked on the roadside and began this ½ mile walk to the falls.  This trail was much kinder than the other trails we had taken through the forest so far.  The path was smooth with the exception of an occasional patch of quartzite or tree roots.  More flowers were poking up through the pine needles and the water could be heard in the distance.  We crossed a stream to the delight of the boys who miraculously did not get their shoes wet (yet).  We walked on and came upon the falls shortly.  It was clear that large campfires had been there in the past but no one was in sight.  It really felt secluded.  We followed a trail to the base of the falls and allowed the boys to undress and go for a chilly dip.  They were ecstatic.  We took many pictures.  This was my favorite hike.  I love water falls and this one was a beauty.  


     We left the falls and drove back to the state park to find the next trail.  This trail was called the Pulpit Rock trail and led to a view of Talladega National Forrest.  The fog was our constant companion so we couldn’t appreciate the view but the mystic feel of the forest and the amazing rock formations were no disappointment.  This trail led to a cliff that I could feel the wind coming off of.  I am really not fond of being close to cliff edges and even less fond of the kids being to close so we kept a safe distance and took many pictures.  We looped around through what Adam said was a trail, but I had my doubts.  Squeezing through trees and scrambling down rocks we finally came to a trail connection marked by white reflectors.   This made Adam look good but I suspect he was wondering if we were off trail too.  We followed the connector trail up the mountainside rejoining with the Pulpit Rock trail and ascended with increased heart rates and happy faces.  This was an excellent hike.  The boys were not complaining at all and I was actually very challenged to keep up!  Gabriel especially seemed to increase in stamina and decrease in complaints the more walking we did.  I was a proud Momma.  


      Back to the cabin and I had to cook all the food that was left.  We had a great supper of beef stew, roasted chicken with veggies, baked macaroni, and baked potatoes.  I also baked chocolate chip cookies to reward my sweet boys for being such good trailblazers.  They were sad about this being our last full day here but pleasantly full and tired after all of the adventures we had together.  


     I am also sad our journey is coming to it’s end but I am glad we had this time together.  I am already planning the trip for next year in my mind.  I think we need to make it a week next year to have time to explore all the trails in the park.    

    Monday Morning arrived and we packed up and hit the road home.  But...not before one last hike!  We stopped of at a spot that promised a hike to the Highfalls Waterfall.  We walked a short distance to some of the most beautiful falls we saw the whole trip.  This concluded our trip and we made our way home and back to reality.  

     I encourage anyone who is doubtful that Alabama is really The Beautiful to go to this state park.  It was a great experience for us all.