Monday, October 22, 2007

A Snowball This Way Comes

A photograpy assignment to profile a mountain town led Ben to the Cascades this weekend. Three of us tagged along. Here he is capturing Westfir's covered bridge with his camera.

At first I hesitated to go due to a stodgy mood, then I remembered this quote: “The secret of radiant health and well-being is to practice willingness. Train yourself to say ‘Yes,’ where others may say ‘No,’ or only ‘Maybe.’"




I rode along and discovered serendipity.






After two weeks of heavy rain -and mountain snow! - the colorful mountains sparkled clean on a blue-sky autumn day.









Salt Creek Falls, which descend a dark, sheer cliff, was one of Ben’s assigned locations, a gauzy, wispy waterfall hidden among verdant canyons.












A side trip to our favorite lake took our breath away for we discovered not only glassy, clear water enchanted with light mists, but fresh, powdery snow.

Hushed in reverent awe, our steps squeaky on the snow, we hiked through mossy green woods and along the snowy, boulder-covered shore. Ben and I snapped photos. Tom and Caroline explored the lake’s shallow edges.

Then, well, how could we not? The first snow ball was thrown - by me! At Tom. Slid down his neck, sorry about that. With the first snowball heard around the lake a war began which I could not win; here Ben sends a white missile my way, while my brave protector Tom jumps out of the line of fire. Can you spot the snowball in the lower center part of this photo as it hurls toward me?






The lake bade us play, and we did. Relaxed, lungs full of fresh air, spirits lifted, bodies invigorated, warm pink cheeks, snowball-dampened hair, smiles.











Welcome Serendipity.

25 comments:

deanna said...

Lovely, lovely! I've been to Salt Creek Falls and the lake. And I very well know the stodgy feeling that wants to say no or maybe (I usually say maybe for a while, before finally deciding to go). But serendipity's great.

Will Patti and I see you tomorrow?

Cherie said...

Thanks, Deanna!

I'll email you the rest. ; )

Marianne Elixir said...

So fun! Thanks for sharing. We haven't been able to enjoy much of the outdoors together (aside from walks to the park) since having the little ones. Any suggestions for nature with wee ones?

I like the advice on willingness. I am trying to incorporate that into my parenting. If there is no good reason to say no, why deny my little adventurer a chance to explore and learn and *gasp* have fun.

Pam said...

It looks like a good time was had by all. Nothing like a good old-fashioned snowball fight! I especially love the last pic of you and Tom... awwww...

Ann said...

Beautiful photos. Today it finally didn't reach 80 degrees here in Waco!-- actually got "down" into the 50s. Thanks for sharing! I've almost forgotten what snow looks like.

Cherie said...

You would know, Pam, with all your piles of snow each year. Fun! Glad you liked seeing me and the guy. Awww.....

Ann, Hooray! Down to the 50's. You're on your way!

Cherie said...

Marianne E: Tom and I had a dandy child's backpack with padded shoulder straps and even a large zippered pouch for all that baby stuff and snacks for us all. Tom took whichever kid was the toddler in that pack and I strapped the infant to my chest with a 'belly pack' as they were called then, hoisted a day pack to my back, and we went all over the place, to the beach, to the mountains, to lake, walking through the redwoods, along the river, everywhere. We camped with Ben, in a tent, when he was two months old (September - I nursed and changed him by flashlight so I wouldn't wake Tom up). Caroline went with us (and her 3 siblings) tent camping to Glacier Nat'l Park and all over Montana when she was one. It can be done - and done memorably and joyfully. You just have to find the right combination, the right fit for you. Be creative - and be bold! The payoff is huge! Thanks for your comment.

Mike S said...

Somebody stole our fall, hope we don't have a warm winter as well.
When ours were little we did the same. Canoeing, camping, whatever we did, they did. Even going 'primitive' as possible we're still light-years ahead of our ancestors in conveniences, and they made it or we'd not be here:)

Anonymous said...

Cherie, what a great day! And Marianne, we had a Suburban to cary the kids and all the gear and it was full! It was a fun trip!

Pam said...

Hey Cherie, I tried emailing you about our upcoming OR stop... did your address change?

cecily said...

Fabulous... so beautiful! Thanks for sharing. And I loved your quote. I've been a bit of a 'no' person lately, but I always remember that in years to come I won't remember the things I did so much as the things I didn't do and wished I had. Motivation indeed!

Cherie said...

Mike, I hope somebody finds your fall! And here I was imagining the colorful, cool days you must be having up there in Maine. Huh. Good point about about the ancestors, too!

Tom, yeah, the trip this weekend AND the Montana trip were fantastic!

Pam, I emailed you. Hope you got it. Sorry for the delay. Chaos abounds around here!

Cecily, You are most welcome. Glad the quote inspired you as it did me. Yes, motivation!

Anonymous said...

Cherie your blog is full of beautiful pictures these days. The ones in this post are stunning! Are these yours or Ben's? I have been gazing at them for several minutes now - lovely.

Cherie said...

HI Annie! Thanks for your compliments on the pictures. Believe it or not, they are from my little Canon, and I took them. With scenery like we found it would have hard to snap a bad photo. ; )

So happy that you let me know how they effected you. Makes me feel good. Thanks again, friend!

tshsmom said...

Crisp invigorating air, snowballs, family, and gorgeous scenery...it doesn't get any better than that!

The comments here have brought back memories of tenting with babies sleeping in cardboard boxes. Those WERE the good old days! ;)

Cherie said...

No, it doesn't get much better than that, Tshs, you're right. Good old days. Yup.

Glad the post gave you some more smiles in your day, Tshs. Not surprised at all to find you camped the way we did - and do.

Never DID understand those who drive big shiny trucks and long shiny trailers to a 'rustic place', plug in electricity, water, sewer, then drag out luxurious chairs with cup holders and foot rests, fancy table cloths and 'camping gadgets' for eating. Then, out come the inflatable boats, the expensive rod and reel and fishing clothes and hats, plus all the trimmings, all for fish they hook, snap a photo of, and return to the water punctured. Lounge around watching TV and movies, and playing video games in the trailer at night, with bright lights and soothing music. Then, after a few days, go home to 'civilization.'

Wha???

Anonymous said...

Cherie, great photos. It looks so beautiful there. Nice to see your smiling face too.

Cassie said...

You had such a fun day that day!
I am glad!


I just finished posting about my birthday. : )

Bella Art Girl said...

I just stumbled upon your blog because the Grace In Grip connection. I like your thoughts and tone. The images are beautiful too. And great quotes!

Aaron Stewart said...

I really enjoyed this post.

Cherie said...

Sandy, welcome back! I've missed you. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks!

Cassie, your birthday post is terrific! Thanks for the comments, and for letting me know you had a new post.

Bella A.G., hey and hello! I'll have to check out your site, too, now that we are getting a grip on grace together. Thanks for the kind words.

Aaron, - Great!

Wandering Coyote said...

Practicing willingness. Now there's a great lesson. And I'm sure you won't hesitate the next time, right? Gorgeous photos! We have a light dusting of snow on the mountains above us...Winter's coming!

Cherie said...

How right you are, WC, that I will not hesitate the next time.....I hope. Slow learner, you know. ; )

Dusting of snow! I'll bet it's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

The photo of the mountain reflected in the lake is the most gorgeous thing I've seen in a long time (of course that's not saying much considering how much of barren eastern Oregon, Wyoming, and Nebraska I've seen lately) I'd blow that one up and frame it.

Love the quote from SK about fall being better.

Cherie said...

Yes, Patti, after eastern Oregon, Wyoming, and Nebraska our lake high in the Cascades must look like a refreshing slice of heaven. Tom and I have done the eastern Oregon, and Wyoming drives so know what you mean. You know, my photo doesn't begin to do justice to the scenery from that day. But maybe I'll take your advice and enlarge and frame it -a great reminder of a beautiful day.

Glad you like that SK quote - I was happy to find it amidst my readings.