Quiet and you can hear the waterfall...

The day before school let out I drove for Hayley's 3rd grade field trip to the Westcave Preserve.It was one of my favorite field trips yet.

John Ahrns, the preserve's 27-year resident expert gave our group of 20 or so 3rd graders and 5 parents and teachers a hiking tour of the preserve. The hike was a lush, quiet respite from the end-of-school crazies. While hiking through the canyon, John helped us identify the various birdcalls as well as names of the multitudes of plant-life. The tour took us down into a box canyon along a creek with the highlight being the trickling waterfall at the creek's end. We got to hike up and behind the waterfall for a panoramic view and then into a cave for a damp, dark look at the rock formations.

We had a shady picnic lunch at the end of our hour-long tour and headed back to school.

This would be a great trip to combine with a stop at Hamilton's Pool just minutes from the preserve.

For more information, visit the Westcave Preserve web site constructed by an O' Henry middle school class.