Nature Eases My Pain
Beaver Falls
Many people think that Mooney Falls is the most spectacular of the three major waterfalls along the creek. It falls 200 feet into a sparkling blue-green pool. However, we needed to make our own decision. The third major waterfall is Beaver Falls. To reach Beaver Falls, the trail crosses the creek three times, at least one of which is in chest high water in the spring. The crossings are easy, and the cool water is refreshing. We were there in May and the temperatures were already reaching into the 80s. Beaver Falls was a bit disappointing because it was crowded, chaotic and loud, and because we had to hike three miles back, cross the creek three more times, scale a 200-ft. sheer cliff and then walk a mile through the campground and two miles uphill back to the lodge. Other than that, it was fine.
My biggest disappointment about the entire experience was the lack of solitude. There were a few places where the rushing water drowned out the noise, such as at the cascading falls between the campground and the lodge, but mostly it was just noisy. At times I felt like I was at a water park.
Nature Eases My Pain
It’s been more than six months since I posted a gallery, so I thought I’d share some of my adventures, none of which have produced a prolific portfolio of photographs, but all of which were worth exploration. I’m still hunting arches as I was re-elected as President of the Natural Arch and Bridge Society, am still fascinated by long hikes to waterfalls, am still learning new techniques to photograph the night sky and am still hiking here and there, especially there.
Some people age gracefully and some do not. I retired in time to join those who do not. Details aside, when physically challenged, I try to respond defiantly in kind. The more I'm hurting, the longer and harder the hike. One of my gastroenterologists recently said to me: “At some point you are going to have to put your medical care before your passion.” And I responded, “Or not.”
As I inferred, there is no cohesive theme to this gallery, so I named it, “Nature Eases My Pain.” At the very least, it's a distraction.
I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget to read the captions. Often, they are more interesting than the photographs. Sad, but true.
