So I took my kids here a few weeks ago, and it was actually really fun. You pull in and there is an honor system for payment, and it's even half off if you get food stamps. Well anyhow after putting the $ in the box, we made our way around this little building to reveal a little room with a tv playing an informative film about the Millhopper, along with geological facts and such throughout the room. Very neat. So after we got all the facts we decided to go ahead and venture into the hole.... Let me say that going in is alot easier than going out. With a 3yr old and a seven yr old, 115 (or so) stairs is a bit much. But we took our time and read each little plaque on the way down. There is little waterfalls trickling out of the limestone, along with ferns and grasses that are native to the southern apalachain mountains. Very cool. So at the very bottom there is a slightly larger little waterfall that continues its path into the limestone where it will eventually meet the ocean. There is a little wooden (the entire stairway is wooden as well) deck at the bottom to stand and enjoy the scenery.
And then comes the time to climb... sooooo many stairs!!! Great exercise for me and my family that's for sure! It took a little while to make it back up... I was draggin a little by then, but we made it safe and sound. When we got out of the millhopper we decided to take the nature walk that consists of a little path in the woods that circles the millhopper. Not as exciting but very quiet and short enough for my 3yr old to stay occupied the entire time. All and all it was a very plesant outing for us, and I would recommend anyone who enjoys nature to visit this spot. It is thousands of years old after all!!! And dang near free!!!
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