I heard about a
hike
ten years ago when I first moved to Portland that sounded like
something out of a fairytale... a hike down a creek bed through a
luscious slot canyon full of ferns and moss that ends at a "secret" 100
ft waterfall and I couldn't wait to go, but after doing more research I
found out that in order to start the hike you have to climb up a pretty
gnarly two story log jam, and since Sophie was just a babe when we first
started exploring the Gorge I never really considered it an option
unless I went alone. I am pretty sure I have mentioned it to everyone
who has moved out here in the last 10 years but still never managed to
find a hiking partner(besides my husband) or thought it worthy enough to
get a babysitter for...... and after adding two more children to our
tribe we don't have a sitter for more than an hour at a time and it is
usually Grandpa. This hike is mentioned in a kids hiking book I have,
but who ever wrote the book is NUTS to recommend it for kids in my
opinion..I couldn't imagine even having my eldest who is now 11 even try
it...actually I would be scared for her to do it anytime, but I am a
mama who worries quite a bit anyway.
Well after ten years I finally got to go with my adventurous mama friend
Taryn
this past Sunday. It really was quite the adventure for this stay at
home out of shape still pretty postpartum mama and ended up involving rock
climbing skills I didn't know I had and scaling a pretty terrifying log
jam that was way taller and harder to cross than my photos could
capture. In all honesty I could have avoided the rock wall scaling and
could have swam up the creek had I not been carrying my camera in my
cleavage. But for as long as I have waited to visit this place there is
no way I would have left my camera behind. It was a short hike despite
all the obstacles but I was so tired when I got home. It was quite
exhilarating and I managed to do it with only a few scrapes but also a
few gorgeous pictures to show for it. Crossing that one off my Oregon
bucket list! So what is next? Perhaps
this?