Escape to Silver Falls State Park

This past spring & summer were filled with many celebrations, graduations, a wedding, 2 reunions, a funeral and a few trips to the beach, along with an anniversary in Seattle. I enjoyed all the family and friends we were able to celebrate life and death with but I was in definite need of some time to process and re-create on my own. Last June I made reservations for my birthday and set my sights for a November get-a-way. Sometimes it seemed like a long time in coming, but the wait was worth it.

Silver Falls State Park was my destination.

It became clear a couple of weeks before my birthday arrived that an entire 4 days alone wasn't going to happen. (It seems that I might possibly be the only one in my whole family who thinks time alone is something to be desired.) We were all able to strike a balance. Some time alone, some time with my best friend, and some time with the kids who could join us. After all, it is only 40 miles from home and Jeff was great about shuttling the kids to and from the cabin so I could relax.


There were gorgeous sunsets, brilliant moonlit nights, and still, morning sunrises.







I wish I could share the park with everyone! From the Trail of 10 falls, to the Lodge, to the plant life and wild life... everything is a gift to experience!




A family of deer visited us each day.

A pesky raccoon came by every night.

And then there was the 'wild life' that slept in the cabin with me.



I took well over 200 photos. But regardless of the composition, the quality of the photo, or how I try to adjust the color to accomodate for the gorgeous sunlight streaming through the trees, nothing can capture the sounds, the smells, the experience of hiking the falls.








I had a wonderful adventure that was enhanced by my most excellent find.....

a Purple Mushroom!


Seriously! This is no product of Adobe photoshop or any other digital manipulation.
I saw a number of the deepest, richest color of purple growing on a wild mushroom/fungus or some type of plant that you could ever imagine.

I never knew such a thing existed! After all I am from Kansas!

Next Blog Subject: The Mushrooms of Silver Falls State Park!