"We didn’t want to admit it then, but we were friends. Best friends"
This story starts out on a very hot summer day. The summer was close to ending and it was almost time to welcome the new season.
I had gone to Wahclella Falls once before but Brenna had never been. As far as she could remember she had never even driven through the Gorge. So I was excited to be with her driving through for the first time.
Wahclella falls was our destination.
Driving through the gorge is like no other drive.
With the windows down and the warm summer air flowing in, the old radio playing a song in the background, the ancient hills watching over us pass through their gateway, this was peace.
The parking lot was half empty when we got there, we parked and began the next leg of our journey down the trail on foot.
"These old shoes have seen more than most people have"
As we went deeper into the forest, the air got cooler. We became overshadowed by the dark cliffs that surrounded us. The trail getting steeper as we climbed in elevation. Even with the air getting cooler we were getting warmer with the effort.
The smell of the green river passing us running to meet its final resting place touched our senses as we breathed.
We came to the first bridge. The old wooden structure waits patiently, placed there to carry its passengers over the rushing river below.
Past the cave and over the second bridge we went, onward and forward.
"wow..." Brenna exclaimed...
Wahclella Falls stood before us, standing firm and strong, patient, waiting.
It's water jumps off the cliffs and plunges deep into the depths below, a continual flow in a show for those watching.
There was many people jumping in and swimming to the falls and back. We stood perched on a boulder watching as they took turns with a life jacket.
You truly have sight when you close your eyes, and see with your heart