Crazy, Foolish and Insane Seeks Salmon Run- Part One
The three Musketeers were off and sliding through mud.
"All for one. One for all."
It should be noted when hiking on an abandoned trail in the rain with a storm enroute, one makes friends fast. And there together is better than here alone.
As we ventured higher, the importance of silencing fear by focusing on a new big YES! surfaced.
YES! we were off to see the salmon run with our brand new friend of 30 seconds, Mike from Buffalo New York, who'd said that salmon might be running somewhere up there, down there, somewhere, which was good enough for the Californian who'd come a long way.
Yes!, we're off to see the salmon run.
Hiking in the rain. On an unknown trail. Along the Columbia Gorge.
Storm enroute.
Yes!, we have a purpose, sloshing on mud to go higher.
All because my new friend, Sam, whose reasoning and meteorological skills were still unknown and therefore a source of consternation, juxtaposed into one nifty sentence,
"It's only a little rain with a storm coming!"
He'd said this doozie, smudging rain from his glasses in order to see his finger point at our security blanket: A 1/2 inch weather map on his smart phone with a Verizon signal, which he noted provided a better signal than AT&T, adding, "but you can never be sure."
Enveloped by yellow, orange, and green leaves on trees, and falling to the ground beneath our feet was a rich sight. We meandered over two wooden bridges, never questioning their sturdiness, taken by the beauty of a creek below, mountains above.
Water cascading over rocks and fallen trees. Fallen trees.
At one point the trail narrowed, with a precipitous drop below, and the dirt beneath our boots was soaked.
I have to say I felt grateful to be wearing Vasque hiking boots, the best traction I've ever experienced, and the most weather-proofing, for with wet all around, I remained dry.
As increasing beauty overtook our magical forest, my residual fear slipped into the unknown from which it came.
We paused every few feet to take scenic photos of Oregon fall beauty.
I'd later learn that taking photos in the rain is a treat, that the light works very well.
Being that Mike had a plane to catch later that day, he encouraged us to get a move on and make it to the waterfall up ahead, where maybe we'd see salmon run. Or jump. Or float. Or swim.
We turned a corner to see this picture perfect scene.
No salmon.
Mike played in the pool of water, encouraging me to come closer to experience the power, as Sam climbed up a muddy perch for a view, which I also wasn't willing to experience but I did snap this photo as raindrops accelerated.
Yet because the raindrops ebbed and flowed, and it was so beautiful in the wilderness, I surprised myself by encouraging Sam to hang out with me to take more photos while Mike needed to return to his car because he had a plane to catch.
And as photographs gave way to passing time, it was Sam who encouraged us to get a move on.
The storm?
The storm didn't start in earnest until we were almost at the abandoned parking lot. We were walking on the flat part of the trail with me still snapping away, when drops came at us faster, stronger, and much more plentifully.
"Isn't life perfect," I said with an earned confidence that may have teetered on the stupid. "It didn't start raining hard until we were down from the trail." And thanks to Vasque hiking boots with gortex my feet were dry, too.
When Sam and I neared the parking lot we found a concerned Mike soaked from the rain, waiting for us under a tree to make sure his new friends were safe.
He wore a big smile, and said he'd never abandon us. If we hadn't surface soon he'd had gone in to fetch us.
Awwww
"All for one. One for all."
Thank you, Mike!
There together is better than here alone.
Pssst. Guess what? The next day. I saw an AWESOME salmon run. Mike missed it but you can see it here. Not in person. True. Not in all it's awesomeness but just the same. Run toward the next salmon run if you can; and forget about running toward a sale. The cycle of life. Maintaining nature. We must see it to appreciate it.
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