Tis a glorious and wonderful day! This morning I took off with the dog and drove out to Silver Falls. It was a beautiful day, the sun shining in the blue and white sky. The rainforest alive with various shades of green. As we drove up, a dear stood next to the road and watched us and then darted off into the trees. Once there we went on a short walk and encountered a professor and family from Graceland. Well, he stated that he just ended his time there, so it would be more accurate to say he was a professor. They asked a bit about the trails and I told them a bit about them and the falls.
After the brief walk I placed the dog back into the van, to her dismay. Then I took off for a run/hike. As I had the dog waiting for me I chose a shorter route than if she had not been in the van. I took the Canyon Trail down through and behind the South Falls and then took the Ridge Trail back. I ran a large portion of it, though I must admit I walked the stairs and that when heading up the ridge trail I stopped running for a while and walked at a fast pace uphill until it leveled off a bit, then went back and forth between running and walking. I think this loop is a between 2.5-3 miles, but not sure. When I got back to the van, I felt so good. If it hadn’t been for that cute little dachshund in the car, I know I could have easily gone the full Canyon Trail. As my day pass is good for the whole day, maybe I’ll try and go back up there again and do a longer route or the entire thing. I’m not sure if I’ll have the chance, but boy was it nice.
After returning, to the van I took the dog for another short walk, she wanted to walk more, but I felt that it was best to head home, as I realized I had no dish or water for her, or for me for that matter. She seemed to enjoy her trip, both the short walks and being able to sniff the smells flowing in from the open windows on the ride up and back, and sticking her head out when I slowed for the curves in the road.
It was wonderful to get out and enjoy nature. It is good to know, I am healthy again and in better shape. I feel as if I could climb a mountain. (Maybe not as I don’t know how to climb and don’t have climbing gear, but. . . .)
Peace to all!
P.S. If you have never been to Silver Falls and want to have an idea of what it looks like, you can see some of the pictures I took in the Spring of 2004 at: www.flickr.com/photos/nickelsax/sets/72157594151680328/ I didn’t have the camera with me today, so those will have to do for now.
— Lyle II