Those Who Wander – Are Explorers

Sometimes I like to have a plan. When I have a plan I like flexibility. Bottom line, I like to be doing something. I never want to be stuck with nothing to do. Ever. I also like to explore new areas. While I do have some favorites for the most part exploring and discovery new places or activities is what makes me happiest.

This past weekend’s weather was AMAZING!! I was getting a tad anxious as the weekend drew closer because I didn’t have a plan for Saturday. I knew I wanted to go for a hike – a longish hike. But I had been so busy I didn’t have the chance to do any research as to where. So we decided on an old favorite that we usually do at least once a year. Siouxon Creek trail.  In the back of my mind I wondered if it might be closed. Last years Labor Day fires had burned in that area but I wasn’t clear on exactly where. I naively thought there had been plenty of time to fix the trail. My husband looked it up on line and we made our plan. 

He should have looked it up here https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/siouxon-trail-upper-siouxon-trailhead

Saturday morning we packed up and headed out early. While Siouxon Creek trail used to be a trail we would roll up to and only find a few cars in the parking area times have changed. Since the fire in the Gorge the secret is out and the parking area is packed! So we figured an early arrival would do us good. The trailhead is just over an hour from our home. It was a beautiful morning and we had packed trail snacks a lunch and of course Lucy.  If you follow me on IG you know we were met with a gate and a sign saying the area will be closed at least until September due to fire damage. 

Plan B –

I was grumpy to put it nicely. All I could think of were several shorter hikes in the area that I just wasn’t interested in. We did drive down a log road for awhile until the snow got too deep and we turned around. So we drove, and drove. We stopped at Yale lake and let Lucy swim. Then drove some more. We stopped at a picnic area overlooking Mt. St. Helens and ate our picnic. We tried a couple of other trail heads that were also closed.  The explorer in me was frustrated and very grumpy!

Then we saw a sign for Fall Creek Falls. I had never heard of it. It was noon at this point and there were 3 cars coming out of the turn off. Was that a good or bad sign? The road sign said the trailhead was 2.5 miles down a very, very bumpy road. At this point we had nothing to lose. We turned down the road that was only wide enough for 1 car at a time. We pulled over as car after car passed us going the other way. What did that mean? Did it mean the trail was closed? Did it mean there wasn’t any parking? We kept going.

When we finally arrived (we had to drive slow with all of the ruts) there were 3 spots available!! Thankful to have a plan we headed out.

Fall Creek Falls – Time to Explore!

We had no idea how long the trail was or what there was to see. We didn’t have a cell signal and there wasn’t any information at the trailhead. So we just started hiking. 

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/falls-creek-trail-loop

It was AMAZING! Since posting it on Social media several of my friends have said its one of their favorite hikes. I swear I have never even seen a picture of the stunning waterfall that greats you at the end of the trail. Success! We were so proud of ourselves. In the end we had so much fun exploring the area. Lucy loved swimming in the stream and sniffing and peeing like dogs do.  I’m thankful we didn’t give up. 

Then we ate tacos from a taco truck in Stevenson. – The end.

It’s a Bumpy Ride this week

Maybe the 2.5 mile  pothole filled road we drove down last weekend was a sign of what this week would be like…

This week has been bumpy. I feel like I’m on one of those roads that seem nice and smooth and then out of nowhere WHAM you hit a really deep rut. But you get through it keep moving and then WHAM there is another one. Yesterday in particular was one of those days. It started off with a BANG! Heart pounding, gut punch first thing in the morning. Man I was a ball of stress, frustration and hurt feelings. Thankfully as the day progressed I had good news and encouragement and the road seemed smooth again. Then it ended with another gut punch a powerful one. I guess that’s life. It’s just condensed sometimes and that can be a bit overwhelming. 

Each morning I write down a list of what I’m thankful for. Usually the list involves what happened the day before. I have done this practice for years and I highly recommend it. As I sat down this morning to write my list it may not have been as long as some days but I definitely had plenty to be thankful for. We always do. 

I share this only in hopes of encouraging others. We are all in this together. I know I’m not the only one facing life’s frustrations. Let’s remember to lift each other up. See the value in those around us and appreciate who they are. 

Love you friends!

Shelly