Dorothy Falls (I did not trip her) & Pilgrim Hot Springs (just warm the day we went)

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything.  July 8th was my last post.  I had to get stuff ready to go back to Nebraska for 2 weeks.  I just got back last Tuesday Aug 5th.  Instead of trying to catch up on the things that happened in July, I will start with this past weekend.  
 On Saturday my friends Rachel (A&M shirt), April (redhead)

& I took a hike to Dorothy Falls, and a trip to the Pilgrim Hot Springs.

These first 2 pictures are from where we parked, looking toward the West.  We had to wade the Nome River to get to the falls.

This is part of the old aquaduct or rail system, that was used for mining operations.

Obviously it has seen better days.  Like a lot of things in Nome, when they stop working, they just leave it where it lies.

While we were hiking, we admired the plant life, and picked wild blueberries.  There were also some small black colored berries, but not knowing what they were, we decided to leave them alone.  Here Rachel looked up from berry picking long enough for a picture.

We also found some red colored berries.  They were as big as the blueberries.  Not knowing what they are, I just took the picture & left them for someone else to pick.

There is no designated "trail", or marked path to the falls.  In places there is a trail worn by previous visitors, but not the entire way.   Sometimes we stayed close to the Dorothy Creek, and sometimes we were on the slopes overlooking the creek.

 When you are walking on a side slope, always remember to lean into the hill.

Just an FYI.

The distance is only supposed to be between 1-2 miles.  It seemed like more not knowing exactly where the falls were located.   We finally reached the falls.

We were excited and happy.

 Some of us....

 .....maybe more so, than others?

Don't worry April did not jump, using her jacket as a parachute.

Actually we were all just ready to enjoy some peace & quiet

 in a very beautiful part of this world.

 This next view is looking further West.  We turned around at the falls.

 I had to have a picture of me, standing at the top of the falls.

Then it was time to head back to the vehicle.

 

After this we drove on out to the Pilgrim Hot Springs.  It used to be a Catholic orphanage.  It is registered as a National Historic Site.  Some of the old buildings are still standing.  I am not sure if it is true, but it was said that this is where the vaccine needed to come, when they ran the first Iditarod, to get the medication due to the diptheria outbreak.

 The building above looks to have been a house.   The building below was one of the orphanage building.

 The following are of the old Catholic church.

If you have followed my blog, you may notice that there are TREES in these pictures.

The hot springs keep the soil warm, so trees are actually able to grow.

The color of the grass is also very vibrant.

 Then we had to head back to Nome, to return a vehicle.  I enjoyed the trip.  I hope you enjoy the photos.  More posts will be coming.....soon.