Birthday Falls

For my birthday each year, I go in search of Autumn. My fortieth was most successful, as we took the short drive from Atlanta, Georgia to Asheville, North Carolina and I got the closest thing to a New England fall as I had had in half a lifetime.
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This year, I was already living in Autumn. This is the street I walk every day with Tucker for his neighborhood jaunt.

Clearly I needn’t look far to find Autumn this year. I had considered going to Silver Falls State Park, but since I had just been there the night before for the production I’m working on, the thought of driving another three hours round trip after waking up late wasn’t my favorite idea. Also, I learned that my faithful friend isn’t allowed on half of the main waterfall hike through Silver Falls. Apparently, the trails are so narrow (and cliffside) that for everyone’s protection, they do not allow dogs. Having been on a few stretches of such narrow trails, I appreciate the advice.

With Silver Falls off the list, I checked out anything else nearby. With overcast skies and rain imminent, I had to avoid possible flood-prone areas, and Tucker and I are both averse to hiking too long in the rain—especially during major downpours.

I found a quick hike only forty minutes away: Latourell Falls. While Multnomah Falls, just down the road from it, is the tallest in the state at 650 feet, Latourell’s 249 feet is nothing to scoff at. Given the less than ideal weather and that this was a "second choice" falls, I presumed there would be fewer tourists than Multnomah Falls and on any other bright and sunshiny day.

The parking lot proved my theory: very few people were out on this drizzly Friday, and there were no crowds to contend with. The bottom of the falls is actually right at the parking lot down a short trail. While this is kind of a bummer as I like to build up to the main event, it meant that after the falls, the trails would be wide open as those who came just to see the falls would not feel the need to walk any farther. 

The nice thing about a not-so-crowded tourist spot is that everyone assumes you are a tourist. And therefore, they are delighted to help you capture the moment. A kind gentleman asked if I wanted him to take Tucker's and my photo, and I happily said Yes. A birthday photo with my boy is a rare gift.

The man had incredible patience, as he took a number of shots, all of which bring me joy. Seeing Tucker and me moment by moment is actually a better portrait of us than just one in which we’re (sorta) both (sorta) looking at the camera.

Birthday photo done, we headed over the viewing bridge. Tucker did not seem terribly impressed and didn’t care to climb down into the rocks to get a closer view.

So we carried on along the narrow trail, having it all to ourselves since everyone got what they came for visually. They had no idea they were missing out on some spectacular fall colors and cool bridge above.

The trail took us out through a small neighborhood park. There, Tucker placated my need for a fun shot. It was too steep for him to get his front paws up, but I appreciate his effort.

We headed up into the forest, and as the climb took us higher, around every switchback was another view. The Columbia River and the autumn colors were vibrant and alive. No iphone or camera can truly capture the magnificence of Nature’s palette.

We found a little bench some way up, and it looked like the perfect Yearbook Photo place, so I asked Tucker to once more let me take a bunch of photos.

We tried for a shot under an enormous tree, but it was too muddy. Many of the trees here are ancient, and their energy and character are truly something to behold.

I didn’t realize we’d get to another falls (or perhaps, just the “upper falls” of Latourell Falls), so it was a lovely surprise some couple miles in.

It may not seem like much, but on heading farther down the trail, and having a human in the shot, one can see just how tall it is.

By the time we were started our descent, the clouds had had their fill and were about to runneth over. I slipped on Tucker’s rain jacket. While Tucker isn’t a fan of the rain, the jacket is more for me than him. His fur simply does not dry. A raincoat cuts down on the time I need to towel him off.

As we came back around the loop, we got one more look at Latourell Falls. The humans had dispersed; the rain was coming down steady now. Tucker wished he had come with a person who knew enough to already leave and wasn’t trying to get more photo ops. Wet ears and wet head is no fun for Tucker, as he clearly expresses.

So I took one more one more photo of the beautiful falls and we headed back to the truck for Tucker to dry off while I drove back home in the rain.

Being able to experience the beauty of the Falls and the River is an incredible birthday gift.

But sharing it with this guy is what made its indelible mark upon my heart.