Multnomah Falls

Yesterday we went to visit Multnomah Falls. It was such a beautiful day for a hike! The sun was burning so hot and bright in the sky that, inspite of the misty microclimate, it was comfortably warm at the falls. It made standing in the spray of water coming off of the rocks very pleasant. The whole scene was so lovely that upon stepping up to the first viewing area, we were all instantly happy.

We paused for some pictures at the base of the waterfall. This is when Caleb first realized that the white crashing stuff was water. He was quite delighted about this and after two pictures he refused to turn around and look at the camera. We have about 8 pictures of the back of his head and a waterfall in the background. After pictures, we started for the hiking trail.

The first place that the trail leads you is to a bridge that takes you to the other side of the waterfall. This leg of the trail is short (only 0.2 miles), not very steep, has a guard rail along the edge, and has a bench or two at every switchback. There were so many people crowding the bridge that it made the dog nervous. We walked across it without pausing and decided that we would enjoy it more on the way back.

To the trail! We started off strong, maybe a little too strong. I had the feeling once or twice that Shawn was racing me to the top. Instead of leisurely strolling, we were goal-oriented marching. That's what I get for going hiking with a Marine. We walked at a pretty moderate pace, even passing people, until we made it to the first resting area.

I would have liked to sit an enjoy the view a while, but apparently this is the make out spot from a 1950s movie. Two people were sprawled out on the only bench without regard for the dozens of jello-legged people coming along the path. Another couple slurped, slobbered, and cooed at one another while sitting on the stone ledge at the rear. It was so disgusting. I''m all for sharing a romantic kiss at a view point. but I am seriously suprised they didn't pass out from lack of oxygen to the "brain".

After giving the dog some water we left makeout point, and started on our trek once again. Little did I know, that tainted bench would be the last one we would see along the trail. As we climbed higer and higher, the trail got steeper and narrower. I kept waiting for places to rest, but they didn't come. Finally we came to a stop at the end of a switchback where there was a small stone retaining wall. We stopped about every 3 or 4 switchbacks for rest before moving on.

As we neared the top, and the begining of hopelessness, the people coming down were very encouraging. "You're half way", "almost there", and "just 3 or 4 more switchbacks" were much appreciated encouragement as we climbed up the falls. Everyone assured us it was worth it, and even though I had said "Let's just rest a while and then go back down" more than once, we always seemed to continue walking.... up.

When we got to the top, we went off the trail to a secluded little clearing in the woods to have a picnic lunch. When what to our wondering eyes should appear? The slobbering couple from makeout point, in the woods, still making out. We set up our lunch anyway, and once they realized they were no longer alone, they left (THANK GOD). The rest of our lunch was mostly peaceful. Shawn fell in the water trying to get a drink for the dog, who turned out to not even be thirsty. We spent most of our time waiting for his shoe to dry.

The way down went alot faster than the way up, but I have to say, it was also alot harder. My legs were so warn out from climbing already that my legs were shaking from the start. Everytime I took a step one poor leg was forced to hold all of my weight, plus control my movement downward. Everytime I stopped my legs were visibly wobbly. I contemplated as I walked how, on the way up, you relish every dip in the trail, every tiny bit that might even be slightly less inclined, and on the way down you long for flat land. I never would have guessed that going down would be more painful than going up, fortunately, as I said earlier, it went a lot faster.

After we reached the bottom, I went into the gift shop to find a souvinere for Caleb. The first thing I wanted was an imprinted penny, since we also got one for him at the zoo. The penny machine was broken! I went to find a little personalized license plate zipper pull for his diaper bag, but they didn't have his name! I searched for a larger one for his stroller, thinking it would be cute since Shawn had one when he was little. Nope! No Caleb. They had wooden pocket knives with the names engraved, but no Caleb. They had Milton, but not Caleb. The only thing I could find with his name on it was a flashing key chain for $6.99. I carried it around the shop for a while before realizing that my whole family could eat dinner for $6.99. I put the keychain back and left the shop empty handed.

That's not to say that I have nothing to show or my trip though. I have lots of cool pictures, and this morning I have the inability to move my limbs. I also have the memory of seeing Caleb's look of astonishment at the tallest bathtub spout he has ever seen.