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Water’s way to wash 2020

December 6, 2020 by Matthew

A powerful waterfall blasts down a cliff of lava rock into a churning pool of water below as mist disperses throughout the hiking trail, barely visible. Two visitors walk along a path guarded by a brown fence amongst lava rock cliffs with green ferns and moss clinging to the sides. Silver Creek Falls is an icon in Oregon for the statuesque beauty.
Iconic South Falls which is located on Silver Creek in the popular Oregon State Park near Silverton, Oregon

Water has such healing properties any time of year, but in particular in the Autumn season as storms roar into the Pacific Northwest, blowing leaves off the trees and dumping snow in the local mountains in ways that empower Winter sport enthusiasts.  Where Spring’s element is fire and Summer the earth, the key element of Fall is water and appropriately so — November feels like the wettest month of the year.  

Yesterday I made a day of Silver Falls State Park, near Silverton, Oregon.  I woke up in Portland to blue skies and quickly threw on several layers and jumped in my car to meander along country roads that hug Christmas tree farm after farm around Molalla, Oregon.  I’ve experienced the iconic Oregon park many times growing up in the Beaver State, but it’s been awhile.  The ten waterfalls in this magic region are timeless and lend themselves well to exploring any time of year.  I particularly enjoy the Winter season, because the naked maple trees are able to showcase the neon green moss that drapes around each branch in ornate ways — much like tinsel on a yuletide tree.  

Although the day was crisp and clear, moisture still hung on every branch.  Droplets of condensation were my hiking buddies while traversing the many well-worn switchbacks leading through the park.  One water feature after the other revealed the life-giving magic of nature and the abundance of the element of water in Oregon.  It seems to either fall from the sky, drip down a gentle forest bank or power chug off an abrupt cliff into a foamy pool hundreds of feet below.  The dramatic waterfalls remind me that, without a doubt, nature’s power should always be respected — South Falls’ 177 feet between the spout on top to the churning drum of the creek below is living proof! 

This has been quite a challenging year for humans as a pandemic races through the country, upending our culture.  Every household is impacted in ways that are both obvious and subtle — with some impacts yet to be fully revealed.  

In a murky cloud of physical, spiritual and emotional challenge for humans, nature remains chugging along, powering water off volcanic lava plains that make up Silver Falls with wild abandon — the same way for thousands of years.  Nature is our compass, letting us know that despite our human interpretation of trauma, the organic world is still functioning, on schedule, showing us the way.

As I stepped through puddles of wet run-off dripping off rocks high above, thoughts flowed in and out of my head about what I want to wash away from my 2020.  Some things can trickle away, like the beads of droplets falling from ferns embedded into water-soaked moss clinging to walls of rock.  Other aspects of 2020 I would allow to propel off the 145 foot dangling gush of water at North Falls — blowing away with the mist rising up in the canyon.  Regardless, the thought of this abundance of water in every direction washing away the remnants of the year — in such a cleansing way in the proximity of oxygen, moss, evergreen needles and proud sword ferns — gave me comfort on my miles-long hike.  

What would you like to wash away from your 2020?  What type of water do you need to help you?  

No matter the answer, may this wettest time of year inspire your own form of cleansing in preparation for the new year to come.  

Matthew   

Selfie of Matthew Kessi wearing a gray wool hat and a puffy north face jacket while standing near the edge of a trail overlooking a flowing waterfall, amongst dark greenish water and surrounded dense green ferns and moss.
The trail of ten falls follows graceful Silver Creek. Lower South Falls, shown here is a welcoming sight for hikers and allows passage behind the powerful flow of water.
Pinterest tile that features a dramatic turn in the trail which winds through Silver Creek Falls area of Oregon. The roof of the lava cave creates a diagonal line from the mud puddle on the trail past a wood fence toward the blue sky. In the background a dense forest frames in the scene.
For more information on how to experience the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park, click this photo.

Filed Under: Blog, Spirituality in Travel Tagged With: oregon, Silver Falls State Park, Water, Waterfall

I hope you’re enjoying Kessi World

Hi, I’m Matthew Kessi. Travel with me around the Pacific Northwest to inspire love and respect for nature and foster meaningful connections. My lifetime traveling the planet — over 60 countries — gives me a global awareness that offers a fresh look at Oregon and Washington.

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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