By Candyce H. Stapen
Walking with a hawk and hiking beside a cascading waterfall on a private trail proved unexpectedly memorable at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. Although we anticipated the soothing spa, good food and noted golf courses at this luxurious grand-dame property, the falconry and the forest immersed us in nature in a new way.
In the woods, Nova, like any juvenile, chased after squirrels and chipmunks and kept an eye out for fawns. When she spotted her prey, the 2-year-old Harris's hawk swiftly swooped down from her tree limb at speeds approaching 35 mph. On our hawk walk, Nova flew free, responding to calls and food from falconer Max Morrison. To capture an exciting video, we stepped behind Max, who held a chick part (don't ask) as a lure. Wings flared and talons out, Nova landed inches from our face. It was a formidable sight, but we flinched and ruined the video. Nova won our game of chicken.
Throughout the experience, Morrison fed us facts about raptors. Falconry, the art of using trained birds to catch and provide food for humans, dates back at least 4,000 years. Genghis Khan employed 1,000 hunting birds. The sobriquet "the sport of kings" resulted from both the expense of raising the birds and medieval European laws that permitted only those of high rank to own birds of prey.
We ended with a close encounter with Callie, a Saker falcon. Morrison placed her on our gloved arms. Weighing about 2 pounds and hooded to mitigate distractions, she maintained a peaceful presence. She turned toward us when we called her name, a sweet conclusion to our outing.
Our next adventure was the resort's Cascades Gorge hike with its spectacular setting, the privacy and the special leader. For 2 miles round-trip we walked alongside a tumbling mineral springs with a dozen waterfalls. We crossed wooden bridges that drew us deeper into the sun-dappled woods and gifted us with full views of the waterfalls and side basins of aquamarine pools. Since the trail is on private resort property, it can only be accessed by guests on a guided tour. That meant our group had the woods all to ourselves.
The family of our guide, Brian La Fountain, taught him at an early age to appreciate and understand nature. He revealed the plants and their medicinal uses. Aiming his walking stick at a sassafras, he pointed out how its three different leaves make the plant unique. Pausing at a white pine, he taught us to identify the species by counting the bundles of five needles on each twig. He told us how his grandmother brewed tea from the vitamin C-rich needles. So that we wouldn't accidentally trample the small rattlesnake orchid growing on the forest floor, he snapped a closeup photo of the serpent-like striations on the plant's leaves.
"Remember, if leaf be three, leave it be. Leaves of five, you will survive. Berries white, poison sight, never bite," La Fountain reminded us. He also peppered his talks with one-liners and jokes delivered in the staccato rhythms of the stand-up comic that he once was.
At the top of the waterfall, he felt moved to demonstrate bird calls, something he does not always do. As his father taught him, he used two fingers to hold either a bottle cap or an acorn shell partially in his mouth. When he exhaled, he produced the whistles and calls of cardinals, wrens and other birds. Magically, we suddenly heard the forest wake up with the songs of real birds.
The Cascades are one of many mineral-rich springs in Virginia's Bath County. To soak in healing waters, we visited the Warm Springs Pools, also maintained by the resort. The historic bathhouses are no frills, coed and popular, so it's wise to make reservations.
Afterward we lunched on sandwiches at Bacova Beer Co., a craft brewery. At Claire's Cake Co. down the street, we sat outside in the sun, munching a tasty pumpkin scone, warmed by the memories of our special nature experiences.
WHEN YOU GO
Visit Bath Virginia: visitbathva.com
Omni Homestead Resort: omnihotels.com/hotels/homestead-virginia.com
Warm Springs Gallery and Cafe: warmspringsgallery.com
Bacova Beer Co.: bacovabeer.com
Claire's Cake Co.: clairescakeco.com
Candyce H. Stapen, greatfamilyvacations.com, is an award-winning travel writer, editor, and author. Follow her on Instagram @CandyceStapen, on X @familyitrips, and on Facebook @Familyitrips and Candyce.Stapen. Discover HennysKids.org, Stapen's non-profit that brings educational materials to rural schools in Africa. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, offers natural adventures as well as comfortable surroundings. Photo courtesy of Omni Homestead Resort.
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