Braxton--Falls

Watching Julia gaze at the falls lifts my spirits in a way I cannot put my finger on. How many times have I visited this spot over the years? More than I can count. My parents loved this place and used to bring our family here at least once a year. I have always thought it was pretty, but I am seeing it through new eyes now, seeing her excitement and joy at visiting the natural wonder for the very first time.

After I give her plenty of time to take it in, I pull her close and ask, “Would you like to grab a bite for lunch at a restaurant where we can still see the falls?”

“Yes,” she says quickly, her smile wide as she beams up at me. “That would be wonderful.”

I have already gone to the liberty to let the restaurant on the shore near the falls know we are coming. I signal to the nearby crewman to let the boat captain know we are ready to head to the restaurant now. He nods at me and immediately responds, as if he is my own staff member and not merely a worker on the rental boat. I am u