Hike #2 - Drift Creek Falls

We were not sure what laid in front of us as we decided to go hiking on a beautiful sunny January afternoon in the Oregon woods.  As we approached the trailhead, we really did not expect to find many cars.  We were really surprised to find the parking lot almost full. We got out of the car, grabbed our cameras, phones, water, and began to descend into the forest. We were maybe a quarter of a mile into our hike when we came upon our first photo op.  I wear my camera slung across my chest, resting upon my hip.  I grabbed my camera, flipped on the switch, and began to focus.  Imagine my surprise when I look into the viewer and see a black screen with large letters saying NO CARD.  Yep, I had taken the memory card out to transfer the earlier pictures to my computer and forgot to put in another.  So, valuable lesson learned, always, and I mean always check your camera to make sure your camera has a memory card in before you begin your adventure.  Thankfully, I had already been here and had pictures; however, my iPhone also took some decent pictures.

As the crow flies, Katrena and I were only eight miles from Lincoln City on the western slopes of the Coastal Mountains. The trail was less than four miles round trip with about 550 feet of elevation gain and very well maintained.

This hike offers something for everyone, a waterfall, a huge suspension bridge, and a nice view of Coast Range forest. The trail is wide and well maintained. The only flaw may be that it's elevation backwards; you have a nice stroll down, then you need to climb back out.

The trail is timbered in 50 year old regrowth, but there's a nearby clear cut, visible through the trees. Continuing down the main trail, you'll again round a ridge and start heading down to a larger stream. You'll hear the water as you descend.

We stood on a 150-foot suspension bridge, swaying slightly in the breeze. It gave us an incredible up-close view of Drift Creek Falls. It was exploding out of a high slot in a basalt cliff, dropping 100 feet to the rocks below. The dramatic crashing of the water in the midst of a old-growth rainforest stirred a deep sense of true wilderness.

This 3-1/2 mile forest path took us on a tour through a thick coastal forest and across a magnificent suspension bridge over Drift Creek. From the bridge, we had a grand view of the shimmering cascade of Drift Creek Falls.

This suspension bridge kind of sneaks up on you. You crest a small knoll and suddenly you've arrived at one of the most interesting locations in the coast range. The creek we had been following suddenly plunges 75 feet into the Drift Creek Canyon and the trail stays level, spanning the 100 foot deep canyon by hanging from cables. It really has to be seen to be appreciated. The trail continues down to the bottom of the falls, but beyond the end of the bridge.

The suspension bridge was built between 1993 and 1997 and is 240 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 100 feet above the canyon floor. The falls are 73 feet high.

Hike #1 - Silver Creek Falls

Silver Falls State Park

If it's waterfalls you're after—especially the chance to get behind them—this is the hike of your dreams. It's an easy loop that's known as Trail of Ten Falls. There are also shorter loops available, all of which take in views of one or more waterfalls.

This is the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system; it's also one of the most visited parks in the state and Oregon's largest state park. Unless it's a rainy weekday in the winter, you probably won't be close to alone here, but it hardly matters. It's one of the finest hikes around, especially if you're into waterfalls. By the way, Silver Creek was named not for its color but for a pioneer who settled here in the 1840s.

This gorgeous hike weaves through Silver Creek Canyon past many spectacular waterfalls in the park. The trail starts next to South Falls Lodge and descends steeply into the canyon. It was a beautiful sunny day in the valley so Rod, Carley, and I decided that we were going to make the 4.2 mile loop, saving the North Falls for another day. After we found the trailhead, the hike started out like any other normal hike. We did not get too far when we encountered a family that inquired if we were headed down to the falls and informed us that the trail was steep and slick so we opted to go in the other direction as far as we could before we would have to turn back as part of the trail was closed. The first part of the trail was great, no issues, but as we hiked further in we again encountered more hikers warning us of steep, slick spots throughout the trail. Since we were already there, we decided to go further into the park. After about 1 mile in, I took a little tumble down the trail so we decided to turn around and head back. Unfortunately, our hike was cut short, the only falls we saw where the South Falls at the beginning of the hike, but we will definitely go back and try this hike again. To be continued....

Goodbye 2013...Hello 2014

As another New Year begins, people again make plans to better themselves. The whole idea of one year ending and another beginning - between the fun parties with friends, countdowns, sparkles, and the feeling of fresh newness that January 1^st brings, it's the perfect end to the holiday season and to reflect on the past year as well as the incoming year.

2013 was an exciting and busy year for me: I took a family vacation to Tennessee, bought a new car, furthered my education, and finished my goal of doing one 5K a month to name just a few. I wouldn't change a thing, but I have to admit that the year has left me exhausted! I am hoping that 2014 will get me even further on my journey toward balance.

I don't really make resolutions for the new year, but I like to set goals and write them down somewhere to hold myself accountable (what better place to do that than here on my blog), and you can help! In 2014, my goals are to get healthier, both spiritually and physically.

Every year people reflect on how quickly the year passed, how many things we could have done but didn't, how much happier our life might be if we had done a few things differently. The way we approach the passing of the year offers a glimpse to what lies ahead. Eventually, our life will end. If we knew we only had a little bit of time left, we might drastically alter our life and finish it in a more fulfilling manner, but think for a second, how many stop in August to think, "My goodness, the year is slipping away and there were so many goals I set that I haven't focused on. Let me focus on them now" Instead, the end of the year has come and gone. Many, realizing another opportunity is upon them, will repeat the pattern they have done for years, setting goals for change they may or may not accomplish.  

This year I want to focus on what is more important in life, not sweating the small stuff, as the saying goes. Simply put, beginning this New Year, while looking at the year passing and the promise of a new one, I want to remember how this mirrors life. I want to realize how in a future that seems distant now, but when confronted with it will seem as if time flew by, I will be faced with death. Face your inevitable death now, and use the knowledge to live the life you want to live.

So, my two goals for 2014—First, spiritually, I want to be a person where Jesus' grace and joy are evident in my life, where the fruit of the spirit is lived out, and to have my heart broken by the things that break His heart. Second, physically, I want to hike. I am inspired by the book, 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Portland.  NO, I will not be doing 60 hikes but rather 12 hikes in 12 months. Anybody want to go hiking with me???

So, as 2013 ends and 2014 begins, I have a vision in my mind and heart that I live with purpose.