Silver Falls in Autumn

Saturday Morning I awoke to a sweet surprise on my couch... my littlest baby sister had driven up after she got off work, and crashed on our couch... so, we decided the original plan of yard work for the day was in no way acceptable... is it ever acceptable?! and we headed off to capture the magic of a gorgeous Autumn day for our very own.

Hiking Silver Falls is a natural Autumn activity choice hereabouts... it's a 30 mile drive up the Entiat Valley, and it is SO. Very. Lovely. It's a perfect hike for kids as well. One of the neat things about this hike (as mentioned in the link above as well) is the drive in and the view around the hike really indicate how "on the edge" of the Cascade Range you are. There's a mix of the rainy mountain trees on the West side of the waterfall, which slowly changes to the dryer, more "desert" forest trees on the East side of the trail. The water tumbles down the hill, a few still pools interspersed with white water short tumble sections, and huge misty falls as well. It's dark and cool and shaded in some places, and brilliantly ethereal rainbowed and water diamond sparkly in others...

The hike is saved from being terribly steep by the switchback trail on either side of the falls.

And just when it starts to get boring you're back at the falls, and ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the rainbows in the mist.

The whole way up, you have this view off the steep side of the trail.

And at the top you can hop back and forth over the creek as much as you like, since there are old logs and stones and branches standing firm, and lecturing the cheerful creek as it tumbles past. ...I've seen you come through here before, they say, and many waters before you. The path is hard, and different troubles will beset you as you head for that mighty Pacific Ocean. But, I will see you here again soon, or my tree/rock brothers will see you elsewhere in these great mountains of ours. Carry on, and we shall await your return... The water cheerfully carries on, having no idea of the plummet that is in it's near future. Fortunately it's water, and in it's powerful fall is only beauty and grace.

While we admired the gurgling creek and talked about weather patterns, Frank and Auntie Caca had fun with the bridge and the camera. :-)

The best pictures of the day were at a trail spot that we almost didn't bother to go to, as it wasn't in the main path. I'm so very glad we did.

From behind the waterfall.

Auntie Caca and my babies... excuse me, kids. I've recently been informed that even though they will always be my babies, even until they're 110 years old, it would be best if I didn't feel compelled to embarrass them by publicly calling them my babies, as they are now "kids" not babies. Yeah, forget it babies. You're my babies and even when your babies babies have babies, I will still call you my babies.

I'm so glad that Auntie Caca came to see me...

I'm pretty sure she actually came to see the babies but I'll still take it. :-) Have a great week!