Sunday, August 24, 2008

Beautiful Idaho




Yesterday we made our way to Mesa Falls filled with anticipation. We had been there 36 years ago for a picnic with our then one and a half year old Cameron. The memories of that day long ago still inspire wonder and a laugh or two. We had pulled into a camp ground and found a picnic table to spread out our lunch of sandwiches and chips. The whole area was deserted. I can't remember if it was early spring or late fall but there was a nip in the air. The chill wasn't too much for a very healthy horse fly however. As it began to buzz around our heads with determination, we flailed in an attempt to shoo it away and keep it from biting either us or our little girl. Camie started to giggle and say "Fun - Fun!" We had to pack it up as the horse fly was not about to give in.

We made our way on some pretty treacherous terrain to get a view of the falls that year but the effort was well worth it. Today, there is a simple paved trail, a series of stairs and a board walk with various areas to view from. Not nearly as dangerous but perhaps not quite as fun either.

One of my favorite sites from when I was a girl was "Cameron Falls" in Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada. When I returned to that site after many years away, I was sad to find they had worn down considerably. They are still beautiful but not as powerful as I had remembered them.

Mesa Falls maintains it's majesty. The mists rise up to the moss covered cliffs. Pine trees rise out of the rock. I loved the roar of the rushing water as it cascades 110 feet over lava rock for the Upper Falls and 85 Feet for the Lower Falls. There are still many wild flowers blooming even this late in the season and we saw what I believe to be Huckleberries in generous clumps. The day was hot and the sun unrelenting but the beauty of the falls was well worth the trip.

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