Benham Falls

A couple of days ago I had a few hours in my day, so what do I do? What comes naturally! I put my hiking boots on, grabbed my camera and headed out to Benham Falls! It was beautiful and close to home. I arrived, and was lucky as I had the place to myself, for now at least. 

Gosh, I tell you, that excited anticipation and fluttering in your stomach of what's to come when you pull into the parking lot of a trail head is indescribable! I know many can relate! Never mind a long or short hike, the feeling is the same. I flew out the car and whoa! The entire parking lot was like a skating rink! Ice everywhere! I regained my composure, re-assessed my moves, scanned the area and started on my short, but I can already tell, fun journey.

I was making my way down to a most scenic point of the Falls, trying to maneuver the very icy trail, slip sliding away, when I became aware of that familiar music to my ears. The thunderous sounds of the raging Benham Falls and the rapids of the Deschutes River! The eager anticipation of what was coming next was unnerving! 

I am now here, looking at this wondrous beauty, feeling small, intimidated, thrilled and empowered at the same time. Such a delightful stimulation! I snapped away with my trusty camera! (We are the 'bestest' of friends! :) ) I then trekked down to the bottom, took a side trail and went a bit further. It very difficult to navigate without the chance of falling into the river. Suddenly, I am rewarded with a stunning, small, triple tiered falls between two gigantic walls in the distance I had never seen before! I was elated and started snapping shots gleefully! Well, my day was made at that point! The landscape was stunning! It couldn't get any better than this today, I thought! I was unable to get any closer, but I was elated with what I got! 

Cautiously moving on up to the other side of the falls (slippery ice,) I was able to carefully work around some jagged rocks and then, voila! What a view! Breathtaking! Benham Falls cascading with full force and a deafening loudness that was music to my ears! The thrilling rapids creating a sense of fevered intoxication and the intense blue/green hues of the sunlight dancing and bouncing off the water!

I was snapping away when I suddenly felt compelled to stop. At that moment, I was deeply at one with this scene. I felt like I truly belonged exactly in that spot, where seemingly, time stood still and the stunning beauty and sounds of nature truly shone in all it's glory! I felt privileged, and a sublime feeling that nature had just tapped me on my shoulder and officially welcomed me to it's astounding and enchanting world! Yes, it was a bit of a silly notion, and I am not of a superstitious nature, and don't normally delve into 'the unknown,'  but I was really caught up in the moment, so much so, that I think I will embrace it and tuck it away in a special place for future reference! You don't experience those overwhelming, fierce emotions everyday! (Don't laugh! I am sharing my innermost moments here!)  :)

I then made my way a bit further across the bluff and got some impressive photos and videos of the Deschutes River in its natural, uninhibited state. There was a fabulous photo opportunity between two conjoined trees that created a perfect border for the river as a backdrop! I then hiked down the hill dodging some icy areas on the trail and ended up at the base, way on the other side. I could see the peak where I 'had my moment,' way up high! The mountain looked enormous from here, and I felt so small! The river was curving around a bend, and it was fascinating and mesmerizing watching it meander. I snapped away and wandered around, taking in as much magnificent detail as possible!

Yikes! I was so caught up in all the nature thrills that I did not realize how late it was, so I decided to make my way back to the car. I needed to head home and prepare dinner for the kid and I! I mentally noted as I made my way back, that I did not 'break my butt' once on this hike, despite the odds! That was a first! Haha!

It was a truly sensational day filled with many Awe-Inspiring and significant moments! ...This one I shall remember for a long time to come...