Getting Out

 

I've passed by that waterfall dozens of times, in all four seasons. 

At times, I've seen it gushing furiously from the hillside, and at others, I've stopped to watch its waters gently cascade from the source above. 

Doesn't matter what time of year, I always like to stop to see what it's up to----or should I say "down to."

It's located not far off from HWY 200 along a scenic and relatively quiet old road leading up a hillside past the Hope cemetery and through a residential area offering spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille and its islands.

Yesterday, the waterfall provided a delightful splash of color to an otherwise wintry world of blues, browns, grays, whites and cold.

Foster and I had left football and basketball games behind setting off on what was my first afternoon solo picture-taking adventure for 2023.

It felt good to get out and comfortably drive on open, clear roads after spending the majority of recent weeks pretty much inside with brief trips to the barn, the dog run, the woods or the mail box. 

Just like the waterfall experience, I've taken drives HWY 200 along the Pack River Flats and the north side of Lake Pend Oreille hundreds of times.

The experience never disappoints.  

In yesterday's case, the scenes along the way, 'cept for that waterfall, depicted the essence of winter with snow covering most of the flats and a few open areas of accessible water for critters.

Surrounding mountains dressed with snow and the blue hues of forested areas added to the sense that this time in early January is definitely the dead of winter in North Idaho. 

Same is true with the profound sense of quiet stillness pretty much everywhere except on the road where I was driving. 

I saw some people activity during a short trip down the Trestle Creek Road.  Two guys were visiting while leaning on their pickup parked inside the area where people visit in the fall to see the Kokanee.

A father and his kids were walking alongside the road as I returned to the highway.

AND, I talked briefly with two ladies, walking down the old road with the waterfall. 

Both were enjoying the fresh air and "getting out of the house," just like I had done.

Debb, a retired high school counselor, said she had scoped the road out enough times to know how to navigate the ice patches.

We also commiserated about our bum knees. Debb is hoping to get back to playing tennis, while I'm hoping to get on a horse and enjoy a pain-free ride.

In the meantime, we're both doing everything possible in hopes of getting those knees back to normal for spring, summer and fall fun stuff. 

It was nice to get out of the house yesterday and to see some familiar scenery, which always looks a little different and which continually provides a breath-taking experience, regardless of the season.  

As for Foster, he loves to ride shotgun on these trips, and in spite of his blindness, he still tries to check the view out his window. 

We returned home to a warm house and to the ongoing football and basketball games. 

I watched them all, including another nail-biting ZAGS game, feeling absolutely no guilt cuz I'd gone on that afternoon adventure away from the TV set. 

Happy Sunday.