Waterfall, Puget Sound area, Washington State (United States)
(Copyright @April 2010 Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com)
So you're probably dying to know: DID I FALL INTO THE RIVER? Nope. Sorry to disappoint, but I DID NOT fall in. I may be a bit of a klutz, but I do have pretty good balance, especially when my three daughters (already a bit shaken by my recent illness and resulting surgery) are anxiously watching me from the observation deck. The fact that I was also carrying my expensive camera and lenses seemed to have had a remarkable steadying effect as well.
Yes, it turned out to be a glorious day yesterday! Just fabulous: Not a rain drop, or cloud, in the sky. Mother Nature must not have wanted to suffer my wrath after all? ; ) The sun was brightly shining. The sky was the most spectacular color of azure blue; it reminded me of the Mediterranean Sea (another glorious site to behold in person)and the sky was filled with airy, fluffy white, cotton-candy clouds. You honestly, just couldn't have asked for a better day. The temperature started out around 69 deg. F, winding its way up to a balmy 74 deg. by the time we were headed back home. So with such a perfect day in store, my family simply had to take advantage of the gorgeous weather by heading to out a nearby waterfall. This time the whole family went, despite some initial (futile) protests at the prospect of having to walk/hike an actual mile.
The hike turned out to only be a half mile each way, which was just about right for me given my recent inactivity post-surgery. Of course, once we had gotten down to to the viewing deck at the base of the falls, I just HAD to scale down the boulders and tree roots in order to reach the actual river. There were no good photos to be had from the observation deck, to my way of thinking anyway. My youngest, Erynn, asks me "Mom, can't you read? The sign says, 'Please remain on observation deck.' " I reply, "Yes, honey. Mommy can read, but I can also think for myself too and I need to get closer if I want to take any decent photographs." Then I asked everyone, "Aren't you all coming with me?" The girls just stood there adimantly shaking their heads. They weren't budging from the deck and I could tell that they really didn't want me to either. Ken just shook his head. Although, I could see the twinkle in his eyes; he really wanted to come too ... but instead, he graciously offered to stay with the girls, for me, so that I could get the photographs I wanted... Besides, he knew that there was no stopping me anyway.
The sad thing is, not too long ago my girls would have eagerly climbed right down to the river's edge along with me (of course, I wouldn't have allowed them to do so if I did not feel that it was reasonably safe.). But my daughters seem to have been profoundly shaken by my recent illness and surgery. The extent of their fear did not fully hit me until yesterday, standing on that observation deck above the river. I knew in that instant, standing upon the 'park sanctioned' observation deck above the river that I had to climb down to the river in order to show my daughters that I could make the climb, traverse the rocks below and be alright. I had to do it --my wild and crazy zest for life aside-- if for no other reason than for my daughters. And so I did climb down.
"Escaping Waters"
(Copyright @April 2010 Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com)
The river water was flowing a lot faster than the last time that I had been to this river (over a year and a half ago) ... and the water level was much higher too, Still, I was able to make my way along the big river rocks and boulders without too much difficulty. I found a good perch atop a giant log that had wedged itself solidly in between two mammoth boulders, right at the waters edge. I could feel the cool misty spray of the energy-charged water as it hit the waterfall's bottom and then quickly sped on down toward the river proper, eager to make its escape. You could feel the energy ... the Life ... emanating from the roaring water. Sitting right at waters edge (actually hanging out over it), hearing the falls echo in mighty roar ... being kissed by its tiny sprays of rain drops was just magnificent. Talk about transporting your spirit to another place ... a place free from the ravages of time. What a glorious place to be on such a perfect day! Food for the soul indeed.
So there I sat, perched like a tiny, fragile bird, atop the mammoth log ... I took in the exquisite beauty all around for awhile, waving to the girls and Ken on the observation deck above. Then I tried my best to take some photographs, but I wasn't going to get my hopes up. A sunny, gorgeous day is NOT ideal for photgraphing moving water ... way too much reflection, too much light to allow for a longer exposure which produces the dreamy, ethereal water shots ... But I was here, so I would take some shots just to see what I could capture. I mean, you never know:sometimes, things align in the most unexpected ways to produce the most magnificent results. The only thing that is certain is that if you do not try : you are certain never to capture these elusive spectacular alignments ... serendipitous moments that all too quickly pass and disappear forever. And when you do happen to be there and you do happen to witness these spectacular moments ... alignments ... when you are able capture them ... on film or just in your mind ... well, there is just no feeling quite like it ...
[You see ... I was not the lone crazy soul climbing amongst the rocks. These two seem to be having a rather in-depth conversation ... hand gestures and all ... what an interesting tale one could spin from this photo, no?]
I took some ground level shots, next to the falls ... Then, I ventured on further down the river to see if I could get some decent river shots,even though it was obvious that there just was way too much sunlight. Still, it was fun to climb amongst the rocks and boulders. I felt like I was 12 years again!! It was awesome!!! =) I've always loved to climb ... I did, however, resist the temptation to fling off my shoes and jump right into the surging river water. The water was moving way too fast this visit and I didn't want to push it so soon after surgery. I also did not want to alarm my daughters. They would probably would probably have read me the riot-act for doing so, and Ken probably would have secretly upped my pain-meds in an effort to sedate me, thereby curbing my "recklessness" and disrespect for the whole "healing process." But thank goodness for cell phones. The observation deck was a good ways above the river's edge, so the girls soon lost sight of me climbing among the rocks and boulders below. A quick phone call (thanks to AT&T's awesome coverage) and the girl's were reassured that Mom was just fine. : )
It was a good day!! Refreshing change of pace ... and we did eventually manage to persuade the girls to climb down onto some rocks a bit farther from the falls, where the water was much slower flowing--near the trail head where the climb down was not as steep. So Lauren, Bethany, and Erynn did go down to the water's edge. That makes me happy that they conquered their fear on some small level. I realize now, though, that I need to have a more grown-up talk with the girls about death. I've always let them know ... in stories and such ... that death is not the end to my way of thinking, but now that the girls are older and more aware of death's presence in their own lives: it may be time to elaborate and expand upon the discussion a bit further. I guess, loosing a pet is not the same as the fear of potentially loosing a parent ... not that I'm going anywhere anytime soon: I feel great. I am stronger than I have been in ages, thanks to this surgery ... and I am getting stronger everyday. Besides, Ken predicts that "I will outlive him by many, many years and dance merrily upon his grave when he is dead and gone." (his exact words ... not mine!).
"Too Bright!"
As for my waterfall and moving water photos ... well, they were not stellar photos overall, but given the bright sunny day, I had fully anticipated this outcome. Thus, I was not too disappointed. Still, a few of my shots aligned somewhat. I have posted the best of the photos that did turn out halfway decent here in this post. I am not sure there are any photos that will warrant posting to my Flickr Photos page? ... But I'll make that call after I finish going through all of my photographs. I think that I need to return to these falls someday, in the early, early morning and try again. Also need to invest in some lens filters (e.g., neutral density) as my camera's lowest ISO setting is 200 ... and everything that I have read says it is best to use an ISO in the range of 50 to 100 for best results when photographing water. Well, it's a learning process, right? And I AM having FUN in the process. In the end, that's what really matters.
Hope that you and yours had an awesome weekend as well! Peace ...
-M
(Copyright @April 2010 Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com)
(Copyright @April 2010 Michelle C. of whatplanetareyoulivingon.blogspot.com)
... No song, yet ... can't think of one today ... any suggestions?
4/20/2010 ... Thank you for your song suggestion 'anonymous'. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to comment. I'll have a listen to your song and see if it fits with my mood ... (subject to change on a whim ; ) ... Joyful day to you! : ) : ) : )
... After much thought ... this song just seemed to flow better with the subject matter ....
Created by Zombie Cheerleader on Apr 20, 2010
Waterfalls ... cascades of thoughts ... hopes ... and dreams ... coming to fruition in the river of life ...
P.S. I decided to go ahead and put these photos into a flickr album afterall ... just as a baseline of my photographic journey ... experiment ... into capturing moving water .... http://www.flickr.com/photos/isas_fallingstar/sets/72157623774705093/ ... there may be one or two that aren't posted here?
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Waterfall by The Stone Roses
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