Hike #8 - Twofer-Elowah Falls and McDowell Creek Falls

On August 23^rd, Katrena and I headed out to Elowah Falls, one of the hidden gems in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls flow year round, but are best in the late winter and spring, like many others in the area. The cliffs on either side of the falls are flanked with the colorful yellow-green lichen found throughout the Columbia Gorge, adding a lot to the aesthetics of the scene. The falls are said to stand 289 feet tall; however, it turns out the USGS had sent a survey team to determine the height of the falls in 1916 - their efforts produced a height of 221 feet. The falls were measured again in 2009 and were found to be 213 feet tall, so the only way the height of 289 feet could have materialized is if Upper McCord Creek Falls were included (because we spent SO much time photographing Elowah Falls, we did not make it to McCord Falls; that will be another hike, another blog entry). Along the trail to both Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls can be seen several sections of old cast iron and wooden pipes which were used to flume pressurized water water to the Crown Willamette Paper Company mill along the Columbia River.

Elowah Falls is situated in John B. Yeon State Park towards the eastern end of what is perceived to be the "waterfalls area" along the historical highway detour of the Columbia River Gorge. This waterfall reminded me very much of Latourell Falls since they were both tall slender with a basalt cliff supporting them. Perhaps there were slight variations in their shape and dimensions, but I could totally see how I might get the two confused if I was presented a photo of one or the other.

It wasn't too bad of a walk to access Elowah Falls as it was about a mile each way (2 miles round trip). The first half-mile was all climbing as we rose above the level of the noisy I-84. There was a fork in the trail leading to Upper McCord Creek Falls (which we didn't do). Shortly beyond the fork, the trail crested as it turned into Elowah Canyon where it descended another half-mile over a few switchbacks to the base of the falls.

When the original Columbia River Gorge Highway was constructed, the road crossed McCord Creek at approximately the same place Interstate 84 does today, but the falls were completely visible at the time (they can't be seen from the highway now unless the trees are bare). At the time the falls were known as McCord Creek Falls, but in 1915 the Mazamas successfully had the falls renamed to Elowah.

How did I ever miss this place? I have lived in the mid-valley for more than 30 years, but until today I had never been to McDowell Creek Park. The park is a jewel. It has three waterfalls and several miles of scenic trails through a forest with an abundance of Douglas firs, cedars, and ferns that Melissa, Maria, Briana and discovered.

McDowell Creek Falls Park might not be the most well-known destination among waterfall hunters, but this quiet and beautiful destination 10 miles north of Sweet Home is a place with waterfalls and a quiet atmosphere. It is said that McDowell is like a miniature Silver Falls without the crowds and tourists.

It is an easy, 1.8-mile loop that winds through a mossy forest and across wooden bridges that provide endless opportunities for amateur photographers to channel their inner Ansel Adams. There is little doubt about it, Oregonians are spoiled rotten by waterfalls.

With the state’s most beautiful collection of cascades 40 minutes away at Silver Falls State Park, the Shellburg Falls area within a half hour’s drive and the Columbia River Gorge just outside Portland, there’s never a shortage of falling water to be found near the Mid-Valley. Yet even within these riches, new treasures always are lurking just around the corner. Such is the case with McDowell Creek Falls Park, an unassuming Linn County destination.

The trail starts just upstream of Lower McDowell Falls — the park’s least-impressive named falls — before heading to Royal Terrace Falls, a triple-decker cascade that drops a total of 119 feet. There’s a bridge across the bottom as well as a trail that leads to the top. As you head out on the trail you will cross a gravel road and climb uphill to 40-foot Majestic Falls. Perhaps the coolest aspect of this falls is the network of wooden bridges and stairs that allow people to view the waterfalls from a number of different angles — in the distance, up close, and above.

The entire route is almost finished too soon — an easy trail of less than two miles will do that — and before you know it, your car comes back into view.

Bubble Run, August 9, 2014

GOOD CLEAN RUN

Who knew that getting covered with colored foam every half-mile could be so therapeutic? The Bubble Run was a 5k of frothy goodness that made my face hurt from perma-smile. I participated in an event where the most competitive aspect was comparing smiles and amounts of foam still clinging to me post race.

Are you living in a bubble?

If you’ve done a traditional 5K, you know they can be a bit lackluster. But the BUBBLE RUN was like running through Willy Wonkas’ factory. Clad in white t-shirts, participants ran, walked, danced, and played across 3 miles of absolute fun! At each kilometer, participants ran through the Foam Bogs where there was enough colored foam to cover you from head to toe! Each of the four Foam Bogs were represented by different colored foam.  So what if you should accidentally “taste the whimsey?” It did not taste as great as it was fun, but not to worry, the foam was 100% safe.

What does living in a bubble feel like?

Like a giant, effervescent party. The race itself was amazing, but once we crossed the finish line, there was still plenty of excitement and activity. You could jam out and dance to the DJ’s, get some free swag, and get ready to get a serious dose of extra foam! Then strut around like a peacock sporting your boss finisher’s status.  Or perhaps you simply want to chill and take in the sight. Believe me, you’ve never seen anything like this.

Nicaragua, dia siete

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Sorry that I have fallen a little behind in my blogging...I was literally 'pooped' out. Sadly, Tuesday while sitting in the airport for my 7-hour layover, I started not feeling so well. God is good though, I did not really get sick until Tuesday night after I got home. I was down and out Wednesday with Montezuma's revenge, but I am feeling better each day.

 

When I first realized I would be going to Nicaragua, I began journaling some things and had planned on using them throughout my blog while away. However, due to 'technical difficulties,' I was not able to access them. This will be my last blog post about Nicaragua, kind of a wrap up if you will. I will interject many of those thoughts, perspectives, etc., here. 

I just returned from a one week trip to Leon, Nicaragua touring and learning about the city and our sister church, as well as being a photography adviser to Issac. The point of my blog posts is my observations about Leon, the people, the culture, and anything else I may find relevant. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this journey, this was an eclectic group. We had been invited to go to Nicaragua because of our time here at Mid-Valley, our diversity, our unity, and because we have grown. It was thought that we would benefit from visiting Leon.

Objectives:

Hannah would be spending most of her week teaching local leaders her ESL curriculum at the church.

Lisa will be working with the students at many projects some of the time as well as working with many of the ministries in the church.

Jess, Brianna, and Juan will be mainly working with several non-profit ministries as well as the church.

I spent my time touring with the group while learning about Nicaragua and our sister church and the city of Leon. 

Issac worked on completing 120 hours of his communications internship. He took pictures and working closely with Pastor Pedro to develop a website for the church in Leon. He may also be working the students some days and he may be touring with the rest of the group as well. 

Ministries:

Living Water – Well drilling, Evangelism, Pump Repair, Community Health Classes.

Voice of Hope – Feeding Programs, VBS, Cooking and Serving Food,

Worship – Youth (Friday nights and youth group), Children (Sunday mornings), Worship (Wednesday nights Sunday morning).

Blessing the Leadership – Helping Felix (Pedro's brother/second in command) with projects for his house that he is building.

I am a 54 year old mom. I personally have never gone on a missions trip before, but I have been intrigued and often wondered, why do people keep returning on trips? What is the draw? How has it captured their heart in a way that they cannot forget about the kids, special people, and the rich presence of Jesus that dwells here? NOW I KNOW!!!  

I pray that I remember the spiritual significance of my experience with the work that was accomplished this past week, and even after I left. While my time in Nicaragua has come to a conclusion, there is still one very important part of the mission left for me to do. I must tell my story! It’s not enough that I experienced God’s near presence in mission, I need to share the Good News message of my experience with others whom God brings into my life and who need to hear precisely what I have to share. I can never underestimate the power of the Spirit’s work through me and in the hearts and lives of persons whom I talk to about my mission experience. In many ways, each of us who went have gained an authentic mountain-top experience and are now called by God, as we return to the mission fields in the valleys of everyday life, to tell our story. I must remember also, that only I can tell my own personal story and the story I share, no matter how seemingly insignificant or unimportant, is worth telling. I am certain that there is at least one person that I will come in contact with who needs to hear what I have to share.

History:  Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It is rich in historic Spanish colonial churches, secular buildings, and private residences. As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 191,076. Leon is located along the Río Chiquito, some 56 miles northwest of Managua, and some 11 miles east of the Pacific Ocean coast. Leon has long been the political and intellectual center of the nation and its National Autonomous University of Nicaragua UNAN was founded in 1813, making it the second oldest university in Central America. Leon is also an important industrial, agricultural (sugar cane, cattle, peanut, plantain, sorghum) and commercial center for Nicaragua.

Nicaragua's economy has historically been driven by agriculture, and in recent years, the tourism industry has grown, drawing visitors to the beaches, architecture, and landscape. Despite these resources, the country struggles with underemployment and Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America, second to Haiti. Many Nicaraguan families lean on foreign remittances, where family members in the US send funds home.

Living Water's work in Nicaragua began when Richard Bell, a long time Living Water volunteer, had a heart to know and serve the people of Nicaragua. Through his leadership and vision, Living Water began sending drill teams to León, Nicaragua in August 2005. Living Water in Nicaragua currently works in and around the cities of León, Granada, and Rivas. Each year many teams from North America work alongside our drillers and hygiene team to make generational change through the gift of safe water and the grace of the living water that is Jesus.

• Largest country in Central America.
• Spanish and Indian Ancestry.
• Named for the Indian chief Nicarao.
• Cotton and bananas are the leading produce.
• Winter (rainy season) May to October. Summer (dry season) November to April.
• 15% tax rate (IGV).
• National currency is the Cordoba (26 C's to the dollar).
• 90% of the population is nominally Catholic.
• Current capitol is Managua (since 1851). Leon was the capitol previously.
• The Cathedral of Leon is the largest in Central America.
• The Momtomobo volcano destroyed Old Leon tn the 17th Century.
• Know as the land of lakes and volcanoes, 14 active volcanoes pose a constant threat.
• Average household income is $450.00 per year.
• 44% of population is under 15 years old.

He never stops teaching me:

Each night of our mission, our team would come together to share dinner and process the day. One of the things this had me thinking was “Where did I see Jesus today?” It made me actually start looking for Jesus throughout the day. It is amazing what can happen when you slow down and pay attention long enough to actually “look” for Jesus. What is even more amazing is where I found Him.
One of the villages we visited, was a small village close to Leon. On the second day when we took a walking tour of the village, I was in shock. Seeing photos of what dwelling conditions can look like in a third world country and actually being there are two totally different things.  Honestly, it was some of the worst conditions I have ever seen, and yet the people were some of the most gracious.

God proved that he never stops teaching me. He shows me profound truths that my mind would tell me that I already know but my heart has never really understood. My relationship with God seems to be in a constant balance between knowledge and understanding. I know things to be true but my heart just does not get it. The beautiful thing about Nicaragua is that God is so present and moving there that it is impossible to escape him and the ways he wants me to understand…Truly understand.

Community:
Real community, the kind where a group of people love each other so well that through the ebb and flow of the relationship God interacts with us. Personally, for me I am all about community when I can control it. When I can control how much and how little of the true “me” people get. I have always had a passion for service. It is a very natural thing for me to do. Being served is something different all together. I am okay if I can decide when and where I am to be served. As long as I can control how much I am vulnerable. Unfortunately for my pride God doesn’t work like that and this place has a way of bringing that to my attention.

One thing I have learned on the trip to Leon, Nicaragua, is that my impact on the people there was small. Their impact on me was eminent; the joys, the smiles, the community. Vision trips are appropriately named. It’s a vision of what life could be like and in many ways, what life should be like. The people there gave me so much more than I gave them and I now understand that is okay.