Plan B kind of day, Silver Falls

Our plans for the day fell through so it was time to set Plan B in motion.  The weather was decent (aka, it wasn't raining), our bodies were itching for a little physical activity, our minds were ready to drink in the splendors of creation, our emotions needed a little centering and focus....it was time for a family adventure in the glorious outdoors.  So, we packed food, sweatshirts, got bagels for breakfast, and headed out to Silver Falls State Park....not more than 30 minutes away from home but a magically wonderful place!

Heading out...can you believe we get to live here?

Looking down as a little stream cascades down the dense forest ravine.

Skunk cabbage

I love wooded trails.

These are the most delightful little ferns - dainty, lacy, and with a black stem!  I love them!

Catching drip drops from the mossy rocks.

Love this man, love this man's children!

Hullt Creek

An unnamed falls - just a little one cascading off the rocks and into the creek.

Bridge crossing

What a lush temperate forest.

Falls number 1 on our hike, Lower North Falls.



Falls number 2, Double Falls



Another Bridge crossing

Consulting the map

At the look out

Falls number 3,  Drake Falls

Drippy little rock formations

Falls number 4, Middle North Falls

Resting

A third bridge crossing

Sawyer walked out on this fallen log and the others soon followed.  It was a nice picture and so I began a series of pictures (I always take multiples hoping to catch most of the children looking at the camera).  What I didn't realize is that as soon as everyone was positioned in picture formation, Brighton decided to pull down his pants and pee.  If you click on the pictures, you may be able to view them at full screen and you can appreciate his expressions.

Everyone finally realized what B was doing, and is he ever proud of himself!  I had to do a little photoshoping blur to keep this a G rated blog.

Just as B was peeing, a lady walked around the bend to witness the scene and offered to take a picture of all of us together.

Falls number 5, Winter Falls


On the trail back to the car.  I am convinced that little snacky treats can get another several miles out of the children!

Heading home.  This look out over the valley showed the clouds rolling in and the sporadic rain storms already falling in the valley.  


What a delightful day.  We hiked about 5 1/2 miles...even Glorielle (although she did take occasional breaks on Daddy's shoulders).  I love these little family adventures.  As we were walking along and I was breathing in the rich smell of the damp Earth and drinking in the views of the forest and listening to the pounding waters as they rushed over the rocky terrain, I thought to myself how much I enjoy this very adventure and how I would take this moment over a Disneyland outing any day (and to be fair, I have been to Disneyland).

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