|
Punchbowl Falls,
Columbia River Gorge |
|
My daughter all of 4 years of age, asked me to go for a day hike. How in the world could I refuse such a question. We set out early on this Saturday morning to find the sun warming the damp, cool forest. She eagerly got into our Piggyback and off we went.
The few stops we made provided some insight to Amber how big the forest can really be. I knew that forests can grow to immense proportions, but this was her first time out here and the awe she had for such a place was truly inspiring.
We made it to the top of Punchbowl Falls and I was asked, "Can we go down there Daddy?". Again, faced with another yet impossible-to-refuse question, down to the lower falls we went. As soon as we made it down, Amber's ferocity with the unknown increased. She had to look under every rock, under every stick, and at every detail. I myself was envious. I watched as I was shown what really living in the moment was.
We snacked, searched for creatures, and snacked some more. She of course got wet as her desire to go further into Eagle Creek progressed.
This truly was a day to remember as we walked and talked about the various plants and trees.
As she was getting tired of seeing everything from up high, letting her down from the Piggyback proved to be a proposition of a much longer hike time back to the car. She did in fact, rescue 6 fat, fuzzy caterpillars on the trail, setting them off to the side within the foliage. A day of bonding complete.
|
