On my wife's Birthday in early January, Monique and I decided to explore a section of the Pisgah National Forest near Old Fort, North Carolina, We had heard of a waterfall near there so we began asking around. No luck on the name. All we got was a vague answer, directions to another county or that Deer In The Headlights look. We happened upon a sign near the McDonalds just off Interstate 40 that said Catabwa Falls Campground.
What the heck... Campground and waterfalls sounded promising as we followed Catabwa River Road dead end and a small place to park off the road. (If you go please don't park on private property)
As we pulled on winter coats a big Black Labrador trotted up to check us out. After a friendly greeting she sat down and patiently watched us get ready.
Not knowing which way to go we milled around until the dog walked off to the bridge, turned around as if to say "Lets go. We followed across the bridge and towards a forest trail. We stopped the dog stopped. We walked the dog walked. We turned around and dog turned around.
After a few starts and stops we got a chance to look at the dogs collar. The bright orange collar announced the bearer was "Spot - Catabwa Falls Guide Dog. Along with Spots title was a phone number and a Bible scripture.
Now just the claiming you're a guide is quite ambitious but to pull it off is quite an achievement.
Achieve she did. Straight downs the road with only a stop or two for a squirrel chase only to mysteriously reappear back on the trail. She was also a magic dog. Spot accommodated us for a short rest with only a pet or two for payment.
After about a mile or so we came to the lower falls with a decision not to venture onward to the upper falls as it was getting dark. The decision didn't seem to upset Spot who took the opportunity to lay down for a spell and wade in the water to chew icicles.
Without a word Spot knew it was time to leave and positioned herself out front heading back to the car.
We met others on the hike but Spot stayed close to us as if to say these are my humans and we just pretended she was our dog.
Returning to the car we met Margaret who along with her husband Pat own the four-legged guide. who they acquired as a puppy. She began her guiding days early and on her own.
Turns out that she is famous in her own right as a dog who loves to take people to and from the falls. In her younger days she would take all comers but now a days she only treats a couple of visitors a day to her skills. Children especially are her favorite or maybe it's the other way around but today for Monique it was the Best Birthday Present Ever.
