Valentine's Day, 2017

Phil and the children worked very hard to prepare a special Valentine's Day for me.  I got beautiful flowers and Phil got up early and went to the grocery store so he and the children could make a special breakfast.  He took the children up to Portland with him to Brighton's speech appointment so I could get a felt painting done.  And he arranged for my parents to come over so we could have an evening out.  I don't remember if he asked me what I wanted to do or if just volunteered what I really wanted.  I wanted to go hiking!  I wanted to get out of the house and move move move after being cooped up with the winter blahs.  I wanted to stretch my legs, take pictures, and walk and talk with my husband without any distraction.  

Since having children, I think we have only gone hiking twice without the children so I was very disappointed when we couldn't leave by 3:30.  In order to hike in the daylight, we had to be on the trail by 4:00.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to go any more when we left the house so late and I didn't even take my camera.  I knew it would be too dark.  We went anyway and had intended to just do a small loop from North Falls up to Winter Falls but the water was amazing because we had had so much rain and we were making good time (even jogging a bit) that we decided to do the entire 8 mile trip hoping to hit all the Falls while there was still light.  We got to the last of the Falls (South Falls) as the light completely disappeared.  We hiked the Rim Trail for a little over 2 miles in the dark with a small flashlight.  That part was creepy.  I definitely do not like to hike in the dark!  A bat flew right in front of me and I was pretty sure we were going to be mauled by bears or cougars or killed by an ax murder.  I was so relieved to get to the car and lock the doors.

The Falls were so incredible with the waterflow that I want to take the children hiking.  But we will plan 4 hours for such mileage...and in the daylight!

Phil and I each had our cell phones so these are some of the pictures from them.  I did most of mine in "night' mode.

There was so much rain that the rocky walls were dripping.  


North Falls was a double waterfall and it was so loud!


The moss was really neat.  Normally, we hike when it is warmer and dryer and the moss has dried out.  It blends into the tree more and it isn't as noticeable.  This winter moss was a different color and so much more intricately detailed.  It hung and draped about the trees like spider webs garlands.  

Bottom rock

All the side creeks were flowing and there were tons of little waterfalls along the rocky crevasses and smaller rock walls that aren't flowing in the summer.


Double Falls is normally more of a trickle. 




Coming up to Lower South Falls.  The water was just pounding over the ledge and roaring in our ears.  These two pictures show it lighter than it really was.



This is more accurate, it was getting quite dark.


There was so much water that it was like a shower underneath the Falls and the pathway was standing water.

We got out the flashlights shortly after this.


We made it to South Falls and there was barely enough light to take a picture.  Happy Valentine's Day to us!!



By the time we got up to the main section of the park (above South Falls), the only light was from the facilities.  We still had a little over 2 miles of hiking along the rim trail to go before we reached our car.  It was so dark underneath the tree canopy and it was completely clouded over so there was no moon or starlight to peep between the trees tops.  It was creepy and I didn't like it one little bit!  Plus, I am not used to so much vigorous hiking and I was tired and my heel was really hurting and I was winded by the steep switchbacks by South Falls.  But, we powered through and lived to tell the tale!  The first part of the hike was beautiful and it was worth the freaky end.  I always enjoy spending time with Phil and it such a rare treat for us to be alone together. 

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