Multnomah Falls

It only took 4 months to get there, but it finally happened. Multnomah Falls in northern Oregon. Hwy 30 breaks off I-84 and takes a little 14 mile jaunt through the natural growth. The roads are impossibly narrow, all kinds of people running amuck and we were completely unprepared for the 1.5 mile hike up to the top, but it was SO worth it. As I climbed up the trails on the mountain in flip-flops, carrying my heavy camera, video camera and leading Molly, I worried I wouldn't get any pictures to capture the beauty. Unfortunately, I don't think I did (because it is positively impossible to capture this on film), but I tried real hard! Here's a few of the snapshots I did manage.

 Even the parking lots were gorgeous.

 The first of the falls. This one is called Horestail Falls.

Sooo.... funny story. I decided that I would get a much better shot of Horsetail Falls if I were to climb through the brush, run down the railroad tracks right quick, and snap a quick pic while standing on the bridge. Good thought, right? So I told Shawna my plan, handed over Molly, and was off. Well... I can laugh about this now, but I'll tell you what...    So I was into this shot for a minute, trying to get the right focus and what not, then moved onto what I really had pictured in my mind.

 So it didn't turn out exactly like I wanted. Oh well. I couldn't stay long because I swore I heard a train whistle in the distance. Figuring I still had plenty of time to get down, I started briskly walking back the approximately 2 city blocks back to the point where I crossed the ditch. Keep in mind, I am in flip-flops on some pretty shifty ground. Curiosity got the best of me, so I turned around to look behind me. Guess what I see???? A big, bright light on the front of a train barreling towards me!! Oh yeah, I ran. As soon as I was off the bridge and to a spot where I could dive off the train tracks, I did. I see Shawna, never knownng the better, so I holler out at her, "Shawna! Wait a second!" She has a look of sheer confusion, not having any idea what the hell I was talking about when....

 VVRRROOOOOOMMMMM!!!! The train whizzes by meerly seconds after I jumped off the track. Oh shit, the look on her face was priceless! Not nice, but I will never forget that look. Meanwhile I am giggling my ass off because the only thing I can think of is that one 80's movie where the kids almost get killed playing on the train tracks. Whew! And I even managed to whip around and snap a shot.

 Ok, moving on. So this is the most famous one, Multnomah Falls. This one is somewhere in the ballpark of 680 feet from top to bottom. There is a hike to the top of the falls with a look-out over the edge. Oh yeah, that's gonna happen.

 At a little closer inspection. The bridge where the people are standing is where most people stop and take pictures, then return to their cars. A few adventurous souls (and a few old men who I swear were having a heart attack and a CHF flare-up) continued on to the top.

 Big-T getting geared up.

 Me and my freaky hair. I swear guys, I'll get it under control.

 About half of the way up. This is the Columbia River that, again, divides Washington and Oregon. So, as you can probably gather I am standing in Oregon looking at Washington. How cool!

 My favorite part!! We made it to the top and I am climbing around on the wet slippery rocks in the creek-bed a little ways away from the falls, trying my hardest to get something good, the whole while Shawna is probably visualizing my untimely death for the second time today.

 Couldn't decide which one I liked better, so sometimes I just have to put them both in.

 The view from the top. See those little toy cars at the bottom?

 Molly's always screwing it up.

 A pretty little bridge where the falls start up top.

Last one I could hurry and get before it started raining. Best part of the whole trip there and back.