Sweetwater Creek State Park

What a BEAUTIFUL fall day! We went outdoors to explore at Sweetwater Creek State Park. The first stop was at the visitor center.

You will find a wealth of information at visitor centers. I like to stop in for a map of the park and also to see any displays they may have. This visitor center had many different mounted animals and birds on display, as well as Native American artifacts, and remnants from the Civil War era.

An unexpected opportunity came when one of the naturalists at the center asked if we would like to touch a snake. I have never touched a slithering snake before in my life, and never hoped to either, but it isn't an everyday occurrence that someone offers you a chance to touch an Albino Milk Snake. Something in me said, "seize this opportunity." So... I reached out and touched Pinky! 
(She was given the name Pinky because of the color of her food source... pink mice... NOT the color of her skin...TMI.)
I was amazed by how smooth and soft her skin felt. I thought it would be rough and scaly. She wasn't even scary at all and was actually quite the little charmer. Clint and Aaron weren't afraid to touch her, but Sydney wouldn't do it. :)

Back outside we took the Red (History) Trail.

Looked for signs of fall.

Paused for photo-op.

Found more signs of fall.

Identified the American Beech tree.

Soaked in the beauty of the creek valley.

 And she's "climbing" a stairway to...

the five-story New Manchester mill ruins.

New Manchester was a mid-nineteenth century mill town which met its demise during the Civil War. The New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill was burned down during the Civil War. Pictured below are the ruins of it.

Next, we hiked to the white-water rapids of Sweetwater Creek.

This was my favorite part, walking out onto the rocks to watch the river bend as it flowed through ridges of hard rock and tumbled over the falls. There was a lot of energy from the water flowing down stream, and the sight, smells, and sounds of it all was exhilarating.

Pause for MORE photo-ops. There's my handsome guy!

Aaron super dude!

Syd is super sweet!

Here's to enjoying the great outdoors on this beautiful fall day!

~Tracy