Grand-kids and the Waterfall

W e have enjoyed having two of our youngest grandchildren stay with us for a week while their parents were globe-trotting to Mexico. I hope they enjoyed their trip to the south, I quite enjoyed having their children with us for a few days. One of our adventures was to Cascade Falls Regional Park. This park sports a lovely waterfall viewable from a suspension bridge over a 40-foot gorge, but I digress. Our story begins at home getting the kids ready for the adventure.

Our adventure begins with migrating the car seats into my car and strapping in the youngsters for a long drive to the park. Once we were all loaded, I asked the navcom for the best route to the park. It selected one that took us along 16th avenue which was about what I had expected. Time estimated to be 1 hour 21 minutes. We set off for the park. By the time we were approaching 216 the navcom determined that the original route was now congested and proposed a new route. I turned on 216 for 40th. We followed a number of back roads trying to avoid slow downs, but we still were stopped at two points for road work. It was a bit annoying, but I guess we all want better roads.

Eventually we were driving along Sylvester Road alongside Miracle Valley on the final leg of the drive. One final turn and the park entrance was before us. The paved lot was about a quarter filled and we were able to pick a stall not too far back from the trails. It being now 12:20 we grabbed our lunch and wandered over to the picnic area. Here there are two covered tables and one open. Eva wanted the open one as it offered a view of the creek below us. We doled out the sandwiches and drinks but I was the only one eating. The two kids were too excited to eat. So, we packed up the food and wandered down the trail to the creek. 

The route was short, but it had a steep section that the kids avoided on the way down but eventually they were climbing it. At the creek we saw several families playing in the water despite it being quite cold. The hot sun kept them warm enough to enjoy the coolness. Then Elijah and Eva clambered over the rocks and felt the water. After a few minutes we wandered back to the bank and made our way to the car to drop off the food before we started on the main trail to the waterfall. The trail is not long but is quite steep. In the steepest sections stairs were installed so the whole walk was quite easy and safe with the stairs. A solid fence kept us away from the shear drop a few meters from the trail.

After a few minutes of hiking, we arrived at the side of the suspension bridge. There were a few people standing around enjoying the view of the waterfall. The kids were quite amazed with the waterfall but also quite enjoyed walking the bridge. It isn’t very long but has a steep angle as it dips down and up on the far side. In the middle they tried swaying it, but it was too solid for any movement to be noticed. On the far side of the bridge is a small viewing platform where one has an excellent view of the waterfall. The water flow was fairly decent for late July, and the waterfall had a good roar to it. Though the sides of the gorge were very steep and hard to navigate, we saw one couple near the base of the fall enjoying the water. After a few minutes of enjoying the view, and with me finished gathering a number of photos, we set off back across the bridge and then reached indecision as to which route to take back to the car. We followed the trail up and the kids were thinking of taking the roadway back but in the end, they decided the trail would be more fun.

The return walk saw more people coming up and the place was a bit busier than when we arrived but still not crowded. Once back at the car the kids decided they were now hungry and so we grabbed the food and returned to the picnic table for them to eat. Once satisfied, we revisited the creek, and the kids climbed several large boulders that lined the creek bed. It was getting hotter in the afternoon sun, and we still had over an hour of driving to get home so we left the creek and returned to the car. 

Once loaded into the car seats, I asked the navcom for the route home. It suggested one very close to the route I had often taken when driving the backcountry in my old truck. Estimating about hour and quarter, arriving home at 2:55. The drive proceeded smoothly this time, we avoided any construction zones and long backups. We pulled into the carport at 2:54! I am still amazed at how close these driving estimates can be. It had been a lovely day though most of it was driving, the visit to the waterfall was worth the effort. And the grandkids were tied but felt that the adventure was a good one.