I have planned many times now, to go out to the Gorge; and go through the many waterfall areas. It was either bad weather or just didn't happen for one reason or another. Today, I decided to go, even in the rain. It was a great day. Just me, the kids, and their friend who had spent the night at our house.
We ended up turning off I-84, trying to find the viewing area that we literally nearly blew off of, a few years ago. It was a horribly windy day, and we didn't realize just how bad it was. Until we were standing with a kids hand in ours, and the kids body parallel to the ground. SCARY! So, it took a bit of talking the kids into it... but we decided to go again today.
Well... we took the wrong exit, but that simply took us onto the old scenic highway, beside I-84. We found multiple spots with parking lots and waterfalls. It was amazing. Short .2 mile hikes up STEEP trails took us to beautiful winter waterfalls. The snow beginning to melt in the mountains means powerful water coming out and down. AMAZING!!! It felt like it was raining still, but we soon realized it was the mist from the falls shooting over us.
When we got to Multnomah Falls, the biggest and most well known, we planned on skipping rocks in the creek that runs from the falls to the river. Well... it's winter, and the water is higher than in summer. LOL
We found an area that allowed some rock tossing, but nothing like what the kids remembered. It was interesting to discuss why the changes had and were occuring. Seasonal changes, erotion, etc. A little learning thrown into the day. Some great conversation between parent and kid. :)
We did stop by a ranger station and get directions to the Vista House, as we returned home. We toured the building and that is a must see, if you are ever out this way. I enjoy the photos from long ago, and no-so-long ago. It was fun discussing the tree growth, the new path growth, and all the changes.
We finished the tour, at 7-11, where we found hot cocoa.
I even found a little time to google some good instructions on cutting a tween boys hair. Not to bad!!! This is a boy who has been depressed for a week now, since I trimmed his bangs too short. I was able to keep it "Not too short", and yet blend in and make layers that don't make him look so fluffy and thick. :)
Now, I just need to sit on my teenager or cut his in his sleep. LOL
2 comments:
Hey, glad that you have fun at the falls, I love it there, so beautiful!
I hiked to the top with the kids when Shelby was a year old. I pushed her stroller with a cooler on board all the way up. Thought I would die but so glad that I did it. It is breathtaking at the top and there is a creek with big rocks to climb and water to play in. Great for a hot summer day. :)
The kids even got certificates from the Ranger for hiking to the tipy top. :)
Oh wow! Wish we had gotten a certificate. Sean and I walked up to the top with Jordan, when he was three weeks old. We put him in the front chest pack and away we went. I don't think you can get to the top creek anymore though. Someone fell from up there a few years ago, and then the large rocks fell into the lower area too. I know they opened partly, but I am not sure all the way up now.
Alot of the trails are showing their age now. :(
I really enjoyed the day with the kids, but I thought often about how much things were aging and changed.
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