I drove on this crazy gravel road for about 6 miles till I came to a gate. In reality, I had missed my turn off road 5 miles back....but was looking for a gate and I found one. I got my water, mace, emergency snack, phone and camera and I was off to find this amazing waterfall.
I turned the first corner and there was a coyote jogging down the trail....luckily it was traveling away from me....and he went into the woods before I could get a picture. Then I heard gun shots in the background with gun shot shells on the ground.
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| Decided I was not in the right place for a waterfall. |
I headed back to my car to find a different waterfall.
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| Yes....bathrooms! |
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| Beautiful! |
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| And refreshing.... |
But this was not the waterfall hiking experience I had heard about; a scary steep gravel road and the hiking trail so steep you need a rope to get up and down the trail. So, I asked some people if they had any ideas....they were not helpful. I was so mad at myself that I was extremely determined (some might say 'passionate') to find this difficult road.
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| Yeah!!! The hidden marker! |
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| Uh-ho.....the steep scary gravel road. |
I tried going down the scary road but my gut instinct was telling me to turn around.....the biggest mistake of the day; but maybe the luckiest....
Yep....my car got stuck in the middle of the road.
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| My tires kept spinning out in the loose gravel. |
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| Don't have a picture of my car stuck because I was a little preoccupied... |
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| I put big rocks behind my back tires.... |
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| Because this was what awaited as my tires came dangerously close to the edge... |
I wanted to run for help....but it was more like I walked up a very steep and gravelly road. Two very strong men came to push my car out of the gravel! Yeah....God is awesome either way....crashing down a mountain hill or the ability to get to a safe spot....but I did feel truly grateful that his will was for my car to not slide backwards down the steep mountain side.
Oh...and he didn't stop there!
This kind gentleman gave me a lift to the awaited gate below so I could start my waterfall hike. God knows me so well. Any female that grew up loving 'Grease 2' knows what I am talking about. The best motorcycle ride I have had as a responsible adult.
Once I was on the trail, there were numerous sections when you needed the assistance of a rope.
And then you have to walk along the side of the river to get to the waterfall.
Very shortly I came to a beautiful waterfall that reminded me of my river walk in Costa Rica. It was just breath taking! And this time I did not drop my camera in the water.
People were swimming, building rock sculptures, taking pictures and even fishing.
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| Mysterious cave |
I was nervous about the time so I didn't get to stay long. I didn't know how long it was going to take me walk up the 2.5 miles back to my car.
I made it back by 5PM, so I had plenty of time to make it home to call my friends and family; once I got cell service...and of course not while I was driving........that would be unsafe.
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| A little Mt. Hood action. |
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| My car was so dirty! |
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| A little love kiss from one of the big rocks on the road. |
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Also, a little reminder of how blessed I truly am!
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