Drove out to Opal Creek for a hike and possibly a swim, rolling the dice that the rain would hold off as it had all morning. And it did for the 2.5 hour drive. Then we pulled up to the trail head and the sky opened up. So we really had no choice – we put on our rain gear and went hiking.
And I was so proud of everyone – they did amazingly well in those conditions and we got a chance to hike through this 500 year old old growth forest – huge moss-covered fallen trees, grand terrain, a standing Douglas Fir it would’ve taken seven people locking hands to encircle – epic.
We didn’t even make it to the waterfalls and pools, the showpiece of the area, because it wasn’t possible for the boys to make it that far in the weather we were having, but we didn’t care. The way they handled themselves in the terrain we did was fantastic, and seeing the waterfalls became secondary to watching them navigate a final hill back to the trail, soaking wet, slippery, through beautiful ancient country. I was grinning from ear to ear and it is especially in times like these that I feel the deepest affirmations of life and love. Great time.
The following day, an unexpected call to action- the National Weather Service issued an advisory for Handegard Storm Chase 1 to stop playing around and get to the coast, fast. Check it out:
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Jerry and Mickie:
Fantastic! You are deliberately doing hard things, testing yourselves and the kids… building strengths to face who knows what hardships in the future. What memories you are storing up for when you are grandparents, in my opinion the best time.
All the best,
Sue (Megan’s Mom)
Thank you Sue – the compliment is very much appreciated.