Seventeen TrailBlazers finally had a picture perfect day for hiking, complete with great temps and sunshine. Today we did something different at Petit Jean. We have done Seven Hollows several times, and many of us have hiked down to Cedar Falls and back up the same trail. Today, under the command of Buffalo Bob, we hiked down to the falls, which were full of water, and then looped around for about 8 miles, eventually taking another route back to the lodge. 

Part of the hike was next to swollen creeks with lots of rapids and mini-falls. Lunch featured a neat view of the creek. After a while we started trekking upward and had a long ascent up a dirt road until we came to a trail through a pine forest on a ridge. There were some breathtaking views across the canyon to the other side where the lodge is. We also saw some impressive turtle rocks that rival those at Seven Hollows. We also looked around in Rock House Cave, but we must confess that the rock art eluded us. 

We descended down to the creek again, crossed a bridge, and then carefully picked our way along a narrow trail of rocks along the creek. After that we began the final steep, rocky assault to get back on the ridge to the lodge where we were able to have a final distant view of Cedar Falls. Great day! 

For the curious, Becky did a public service by opening a stall door locked from the inside, in the ladies room. On her back she slid under the door, limbo-style, and the camera caught her enjoying the sweet smell of success when the door swung open. There was a long line of women out in the hall waiting in line, so she saved the day!