This post is for the #wednesdaywalk challenge and the #makemesmile challenge collaboration. This collaboration initially took place once a month, but due to its popularity, @tattoodjay (of the #wednesdaywalk) and @elizacheng (of #makemesmile) decided to make it a weekly thing.
If you want to know more about the rules, visit last week's post by @tattoodjay where you will find all the rules at the bottom of his post after you've enjoyed his beautiful photos from his walk.
This week, @tattoodjay shared an update with us about his wife's shoulder injury. Let's show some support to him and his wife and give them some space in this difficult time.
A Walk in Paradise Valley.
It's amazing how the places closest to us, are often the places we overlook and we don't get to visit them.
We have such a place close to us. It's a nature reserve called Paradise Valley.
We always kept saying "we need to pay a visit to Paradise Valley...", but being close to us and passing it almost on a daily basis, I suppose we just got so used to passing it and just knowing it's there, that we never actually took action to visit the reserve...always passing it on our daily journeys, or even over weekends, going to the beaches or other destinations further away...
Is it just me? Or do you sometimes do the same...lol?
Well, this past weekend, I decided that it was time... We are going to Paradise Valley.
Deciding on a Trail
Entering the reserve, there is a board showing the various trails you can follow.
Besides the "map/information board" and the huge picnic area, the first thing that immediately gets your attention is the river that flows through the area...well, it got my attention... I guess it all depends on what you are focused on and what the purpose of your visit is.
We've heard about the waterfall in Paradise Valley and decided it would be a good choice to follow the "Waterfall Trail" this time.
It was clear that we would have to cross the river in order to get access to any of the trails.
We found the little bridge where we could cross over to the other side.
The water level in the river was very low and I soon discovered that the bridge was loosely placed across the river and was not stable. It's an awkward feeling when you step onto something, expecting it to be solid and/or stable, and it suddenly wobbles and moves around beneath you...lol.
I noticed the ropes tied to it as well and I suppose that is for when the water level rises to maybe help keep it in position...?
In the next photo, you might see what I'm talking about. This photo was taken later in the afternoon though, as we returned from our walk, as you can see by the shadows.
Standing on the bridge, I wanted to take another photo. But suddenly everything was bouncing and moving again... As I looked around, someone else also got onto the bridge to cross to the other side...so I had to wait until they have gone over before I could take this photo...lol.
It was a bit of a climb to get off the bridge and onto the trail on the other side. Not all that high (about hip-high), but steep and slippery if you are not careful. Having the camera with me, I needed to be extra careful.
As mentioned before, we decided on taking the "Waterfall Trail" which was clearly marked.
It was a nice walk through some dense areas...
At times we got out in the open...
Some rocks in the shallow water.
We then passed a low water bridge which created some nice scenes for me...
Just moving a little further downstream and then looking back, taking this shot of the same area.
Looking behind me, downstream, the water was flowing calmly through the forest.
We then moved through quite a dense area again and as we came out in the open again, I found this to be a striking scene...
A few minutes later we passed underneath the N3 Highway, which is the main route between Durban and Johannesburg.
While life is rushing ahead at a high speed above us, people are totally unaware of (or maybe just not giving any thought to) the beautiful scenes of nature below them.
We then continued our journey towards the waterfall.
We found a little side trail that led to a viewpoint, called "Waterfall Bridge", above the waterfall.
I took the next two photos right above the waterfall.
In the next three photos, the water is going over the edge.
From there we continued our journey to the bottom of the waterfall.
Arriving at our destination...
A clear view of the waterfall.
Zooming in a bit...
And even more...
Okay...if I take you any closer you're going to get wet...only joking...lol.
We spent a lot of time down there...maybe an hour or even more. I took a lot of photos, but other than that, we were just spending some time in silence...soaking in everything around us.
Some other people came around twice, but they didn't spend much time there and left again. So, over and above the sound of rushing water and the chirping of joyful birds, there was nothing else...
Then we started the journey back to the starting point...the first part being a bit on the steep side...
Then another about 500 meters which are not all that steep...
Going further from there on, it was the normal hiking trail back to "base camp", the starting point. We followed the same trail that we came in with.
And that's it for today, folks!
Thank you for reading my post! I do appreciate it!
Isn't it weird how we have some really nice places close by, but simply drive past and not stop to have a look? We went to Paradise Valley a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the peacefulness.
Lovely photos @jacoalberts, enjoy exploring nearby attractions!
It is so true! Maybe it has something to do with human nature... We always have to complicate things and look for the most difficult solution to our problems...otherwise, it's just too easy...how can that work...lol? The nicest places must always be the ones that are far away... Is there a pattern here...lol?
I'm glad to hear you've been to Paradise Valley before and that you also enjoyed it there!
Thank you, @lizelle, I definitely will enjoy exploring nearby attractions👍!
Have a great evening!
Wow this post brings such good vibes. Thank you for taking us on this waterfall trail :) so good to see another waterfall after a while (if only virtually). Glad you were able to explore some place near you. Did you get to explore the entire area? It will be good to see more photos soon. An advance happy weekend..
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Hi, @iamraincrystal! I am glad to hear that my post brought good vibes to you and that you enjoyed the waterfall so much.
We have only done the one trail for the day, so we will definitely go back to do some of the other trails too👍!
Thank you and happy weekend in advance for you too!
And thank you to you and the @aliveandthriving team for your support in curating my post and including it in your curation report! I do appreciate it🙏👍!
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Thank you for the tokens! I do appreciate them!
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350 replies! That's awesome! Thank you once again to the communities who support me and also to you, @hivebuzz, for supporting and always making sure that we stay motivated with the achievement badges that you award!
Let's go for that 3750 replies now🙏👍!
You're welcome @jacoalberts! Have a nice day 😊👍
Thanks for your good vibe!
😊👍
How cool to have such a place nearby. But that of not visiting the wonders that we have within reach happens often. This year, I discovered a hiking trail that is only about 10 minutes from my house and we have many years living here. But now that you have discovered the beauty of the reserve you will be able to go for a walk more often to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Cheers!
That sounds exactly like our situation...lol. We have been living down here at the coast for many years now. Next year, in July, it will be 20 years. The reserve, Paradise Valley, is 10 minutes from where we are living now. Okay, we lived 7 KM further until April 2021...(but what is 7 KM...lol).
The only difference is...we knew about the place, but just never got around to going there.
But thanks for sharing that with me, @coquicoin...I kind of started thinking it's only us...lol.
But yes, as you say, now that have seen the beauty of the place, we will be going there more often, that's for sure!
Thanks for stopping by and for giving your input! I do appreciate it!
Hi! believe me we are not the only ones, the hustle and bustle of today sometimes make us live a bit I say like in a snail's shell, and we miss so many incredible places that are so close. We just have to look around a bit and enjoy more the places that are close to us :)
Have a great weekend!
I hear you😄👍, @coquicoin! That is very true!
You must have a great weekend too!
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Very green little valley which hopefully remains protected from development.
Green spaces like this go through early morning you may be fortunate enough to see small duiker or evidence of porcupine, bird life always plentiful.
Area is looking much cleaner than earlier years I must say....
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Thank you for the tokens! I do appreciate them!
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Oh yes... Let's hope so!!!
Yes, we kept an eye out for some duiker or any form of wildlife...but I think we were a little late for that. We've had a bit of a busy morning, doing other stops as well, and only arrived there just after 10h00...
Yes, it was pretty neat and clean.
Thanks for stopping by, @joanstewart! I do appreciate it!
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Visited most these smaller parks over the years, highlight was Kloof Gorge for great outings. Of late not as much, even ones closer to us have become questionable with safety.
Parks worthwhile visiting along the coastline on public holidays when more people are around..., Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, TC Robinson Reserve, Empisini Nature Reserve, Tala Game Reserve more up the road from you.
As far as I know, Kloof Gorge is still closed since the floods...Don't know if they have re-opened in the meantime...will check again.
Thanks for this list with links to these places, I do appreciate it. I am busy compiling a list of places we want to visit, so it always helps to get new ideas...👍
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We have some great places to visit, one needs to plan carefully about when to go with crime rampant....
Have a great day !LOLZ smile it is free!
That is so true! Crime and our own safety...we always have to consider those and then way up our options. Sad, but true!
I'm smiling...thanks for the tokens, @joanstewart😄!
Back after a week in the Berg, apologies for late reply.
Celebrated my brothers 70th up there, returned yesterday through thick mist most of the journey, nerve racking through Highflats/Jolivet region with animals and people on the roads.
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