Prior to our stop at Multnomah Falls, the excursion down Highway 128 followed by Arches National Park was the best leg of the trip. But before we get to the falls, there is some driving to do. Fortunately, with each passing day, there was cumulative less time on the road per day. We started at 16 hours, then went down to 11 hours, then 9 hours, today we were looking at about 6 hours. Prior to departure, we once again took full advantage of the hotel breakfast (for breakfast and PB&J for lunch/dinner) and treadmill.
Honestly, the morning drive was rather uneventful. Large hills up and even larger hills down as we began our decent toward sea level. We then hit the Colombian River and things got a bit more interesting. I noticed a collection of the most large power transmission lines that I had ever seen. There was about 4 of the huge high voltage lines all running parallel to each other with several others lines forking off in different directions. As we continued down the river, I soon realized the source. There were several hydro electric damns built along the river along with seemingly hundreds of windmills along the sides of the gorge. I discovered a renewable energy Mecca and whispered to Laura “See those windmills… you’re looking at the future” as we plowed down the expressway in my gas guzzling carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide spewing American built SUV! I digress.
On to the falls!! We pulled up to the base of the falls to see a 600 foot free fall. Mist was in the air from the falls and clouds were in the sky, threatening to rain. We snapped a few pictures and quickly began our 6 mile loop hike up to the source of the falls (a natural spring) and then back down a different stream. All and all, there would be 7 water falls on the trip, but what we didn’t realize is that we were in for so much more.
First, a quick side note. I absolutely love “water features”. Water fountains, water falls, bubbling brooks, etc. There is something mesmerizing about water succumbing the force of gravity, much like staring into waning a campfire late into the night. As a child, I remember building a very crude water sculpture in the backyard using tin cans, stacked chairs, and the garden hose, mimicking a fountain I saw at a store in Nashville, Indiana. Water would spill down from one carefully trimmed and formed can to another. While the result was not quite as polished as I envisioned, I had a great time building it.
Anyways, back to the falls! We were in water feature heaven. I expected a trail to go through the woods, and occasion peak out to see a water fall. Instead we basically hiked along a creek flowing down a mountain! Waterfalls everywhere. To top it all off, the forest we were in was one like I had never seen before. Moss and ferns were everywhere giving it the most vibrant green landscape I had ever seen. Rain began to fall, but it felt right given the rainforest like atmosphere around us.
We reached the top where the source spring provided the water for all of the falling beauty. The sun began to shine through the trees, creating visible beams of light in the mist around us. As we walked around, the silence of the surrounding and the bubbling of the brook combined for a truly out of this world experience, one that I will never forget. The terrain created the most perfect atmosphere making me feel as though we were in a movie.
We then descended down a different path, which provided beautiful overlooks of the gorge. We reached the bottom and discovered that the sun and the mist from the falls created a rainbow! After watching the falls for one last session, we reluctantly climbed into the car, and headed the remaining 40 minute into Portland.
