Sometimes memories are hidden away until something shakes them loose.  Such were my memories of walking under and behind a waterfall.  It was an intriguing experience as a child.  Recently a friend described such a place to me.  Silver Falls, Oregon. 

I was happy I went to visit the place with such old memories, but it didn’t turn out as expected.  There was snow everywhere!  The area had gotten about 12″ of snow the week before I arrived and much of the snow was still on the ground, making for wet and icy trails.  I did some walking on the trails, but soon decided that exploring would have to wait for another trip.  It was too slippery/muddy.  But I did walk under/behind the water fall that I remembered.   

With the unexpected finding of snowy/icy trails, a change in plans was required.  I had previously made a phone call to ask about the Thompson Mill tours and through the magic of misfortune, I was forwarded to an individual not associated with the mill.  When I asked him what he recommended I see, he immediately recommended Luckiamute State Nature Area.   I walked both the north and south areas trails and had an enjoyable time.

I saw a number of these nests (I assume) on the north trial.  Maybe pack rat nest?

Trips are always better when you get to see a shoe fence.

And there was the senior lady at the campground I chatted with.  She was from a ranch in Northern Montana, by the Canadian border.  She was camping for two weeks while she waited surgery.  She had driven to Portland to see a specialist in an old beater pickup truck.  Ended up in the ER and was stabilized.  The first appointment she could get for her needed surgery was in two weeks so she was sleeping in the back of her pickup truck in a campground.  I listened to her tell her story and didn’t ask questions.  She seemed satisfied with her situation.  I wondered if her approach to waiting by sleeping in the pickup truck wasn’t because she lacked money, she was just frugal.  She mentioned the “beater” pickup truck was a collector item.  Perhaps what looked like an old unreliable truck to me, was actually a well-maintained expensive collectable.  I hope all is well with the lady. 

Facts

• Silver Falls was a hard place for me to get weekend reservations in March.  I got Friday and Saturday night reservations after checking and checking the reservation web site, looking for a cancelation.  And, yes – the campground really was full.