So we loaded up the Pickle and we went to one of my favorite annual spots... Silver Falls State Park about 20 miles east of Salem in Northwest Oregon.
Don't tell anyone, but my favorite spot is B-8. Plenty of room.. lots of privacy.. power and even water. It's also not too far to the restrooms and not too far to the playground.
So one of the first things we did after unpacking was take about a 4 mile walk to the South Falls.
The weather can be very iffy in the Northwest at the end of May, but we pretty much lucked out. It was dry and cool and we even saw some sun. As we walked to the falls, the girls were great hikers and didn't complain even once.
The best part about this large waterfall is that you can walk BEHIND it.
You can feel the mist and the coolness and you can hear the ROAR of the falls as you stand inside it. There are caves back there that were formed by water and ice and natures expansion and constriction of rock. Ferns everywhere.. and the smell. What is about the smell in the forest? It is the very escense of fresh.
Well back at camp, we had great food. BBQ hot dogs and corn. Kili was my trash holder and Lani was my butter'er and peeler.. although we all alternated jobs.
I think the highlight for the girls was identifying the different birds we spotted in the park. We studied our nature spotter brochures and then went on a search.
We found plenty of Robins and lots of Stellar Jays. As it turned out, the Jays REALLY like bread. And they even like bacon. Who a thunk it?
Dad had the best time, just enoying the cool weather and a cool Dead Guy Ale from the Rogue Brewery.
With Wilson to guard the fire...
We enjoyed a bountiful meal of cornbread and chili for Dad and cornbread and Ravioli for the girls.
Our last morning greeted us with nice warm sunshine to dry us all out and keep us happy.
And we all were sorry to have to pack up and leave, but happy to return to the arms of our loving wife/mother.
Thanks Pickle.
p.s. our littlest one beat us at Trouble.
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