Today I set out to spend some time in the temperate rain forests of the Pacific Northwest. I had started out planning on traveling the entire Trail of Ten Falls found within Silver Falls State Park, instead I traveled primarily on a loop that was about 5 miles long (my total trek was just over 5.5 miles in length, a bit of it beyond the loop I choose.) Upon my journey I visited 7 of the 10 named and numbered falls, though there are several other falls as well, especially at this time of year. While I must say the falls and the forest is amazing year round, the autumn is one of my favorite times of year, perhaps because I am an autumn child… Perhaps as well for it is late autumn, winter and early Spring where the falls are found at their greatest power, largest size and most number with the creeks and streams filled by all the rain.
As I traveled this day, I found myself distracted at times, I found myself pushing without taking time to think, and reflect, the reason I went out. I also found myself not taking the care I should have… in part as I pushed myself to hard and fast at the start… I ran a good deal of the first two miles, and realized I was not properly hydrated to attempt the trail at such speeds, nor truly in shape to do the whole thing at a run. Throughout the whole trail, I ensure I paused and spent time to reflect upon each waterfall I came to, ran or walked behind… But still I found myself focused on moving through, and then at one point as I started to run a bit, I found myself in prayer. Praying with each step taken, at at that moment, I became aware, my pace slowed, and my eyes opened to the wonders of the Holy’s creation that surrounded me, the greens, browns, reds, blues, greys and other colours of the earth, plants, water, sky…. To see and appreciate the wonder around me, to feel the love within it all… When I took the time to pause, to see, be it literally pausing, or just stilling my mind and freeing myself to what was around me, I found peace, clarity, hope… The questions I left with, still rest upon my mind, but new understanding and mysteries lie there as well… and of course there is the renewing sense of hope and joy.
Lessons learned this trip: I am not as out of shape as I thought I was, (but still not quite where I need/want to be), my running shoes really do need replaced, that I nee to make sure I am hydrated before attempting to trail run… and when I go to pray, to reflect, to think, reflect… I need to ensure I do those things and to appreciate life…
Here’s a map of my trek today….
If your interested here’s a link to the page for the state park: Silver Falls State Park and for the brochure that shows the full trail (pdf): Silver Falls Trail Map (PDF)
I find myself often feeling lucky that I have the chance to get away and spend time in the wonders of the forest, I just need to make sure I allow myself to be fully open so that I can more fully recharge. I hope that you have places you are able to go and experience healing, peace, hope, and joy…
Peace,
— Lyle II