Journalist By Nature: An Ordinary Extraordinary Day

Our weekly hikes are scheduled but not necessarily routine. We select a different destination each week and those who choose to participate show up ready to tackle whatever challenges the trail presents. Today's hike was a longer one due to its 2.5 hour travel time plus the nearly eight miles of trail. Siouxon Creek, located northeast of Amboy Washington, follows one of the sparkling streams flowing out of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. As the highway digresses to Forest Service roads the ride becomes increasingly rough. Gravel, pot holes, sliding pavement and debris all contribute to the need for driver alertness as well as to the hikers' anticipation of yet another wilderness adventure.

A required early start brought sleepy-eyed friends together at the trailhead, some obviously in need of another cuppa. A brisk pace would stir their circulation! Shouldering packs we descended from the parking lot toward the creek level, the sounds of rushing water calling to our attentive ears. The coolness of the relatively early hour and the ambiance of sunlight slanting through the tall evergreens, bird calls adding a musical note to the setting, was as delightful as a hike scene could get. The well-used trail was padded with decades of needle drop, tree roots finding their way to the surface and rocks materializing from the soil bed. Winding along in the general direction of the creek, the path occupied a varying level above it, making for longer vistas up its watery course.

Rocks and boulders of various sizes textured the creek bed, some submerged, others partially or wholly above the water line. Those below the surface appeared like a mosaic covered in cellophane whose crinkly quality reflected the sun in a sparkling display of light bursts. Frequent piles of rocks created little waterfalls that heightened the sound level of water music. Less often, the giant boulders and tight rock formations formed tall, gushing spouts of foaming water, squeezing the creek into narrow channels and around obstructions. The largest of these was Siouxon Falls, "a 40-foot, S-shaped slide that sloshes into a huge green pool" as William L. Sullivan describes it in one of his books. Green indeed, not from algae but from the elements of depth and creek bed materials. A perfect swimming hole on a hot summer day!

Makin' tracks on the trail

Our early start triggered the desire for an early lunch break but I pushed the troops onward towards our agreed upon destination: picnic table-like rock formations at the foot of a dashing waterfall at the turn-around point. Good natured rumblings were heard among the hikers. Suddenly a brindle colored dog rushed up to me and began barking loudly. He seemed friendly enough so I petted him and encouraged him to find his master. Just then a tall, buff hiker, loaded with a huge backpack hurried by. We exchanged the customary "hey!" greeting so often used on the trail and in a rush he was past me, obviously intent on making some serious trail time. However the dog kept returning to me, barking in a playful sort of manner that began to worry my trail mates. Since he seemed harmless enough and only annoying I decided to walk him up the trail in the direction of his master who came running back with a leash. Problem solved.

Soon the familiar lunch spot came into view, marked by a now-closed, wobbly bridge complete with brightly colored trail tape and a warning to avoid its use until repairs could be made. One dicey stream crossing lay between us and our goal. This place has smooth, sloping boulders covered with slippery algae and can result in a nasty fall if not handled with care. Just beyond this stood that backpacker, now unloading what looked like a banquet far beyond what he could consume. His dog began barking at us as we cautiously approached, searching for a spot to share with this unusual scene.

Our host

Much to the consternation and confusion of my friends I rushed up to the man and embraced him in a hug. I roughed the dog's neck and grasped his harness. Turning to the approaching hikers who were trying to avoid this awkward spectacle I announced "this is my son-in-law Wayne, his dog Tenzing, and he's brought us a little surprise!" Stunned introductions were made all around as the truth of our journey began to unfold. Wayne, a consummate backpacker with a great sense of humor and adventure, had thought it would be fun to pack in wine and snacks for my friends and greet us at a lunch stop for an unusual treat. And what a treat it was! Chilled bottles of wine appeared from a cooler, fresh strawberries, blueberries and pineapple were displayed in their containers and an array of cookies and banana bread completed the accompaniment to our sad sack lunches. The dogs were tethered to separate posts to keep the peace and laughter filled the air as the ladies marveled at Wayne's loving and gracious gesture. He laughed in his familiar way and played the handsome host that he can be. Questions bombarded the man as everyone tried to understand more fully this extraordinary experience. Dozens of pictures were snapped to capture this moment for those who hadn't made the hike.

"tipsy" group picture

After an hour of this gaiety we hugged our host, loaded our packs, offering to take out the empties, and started our return trip. Wayne politely declined our services, saying his backpack would now be much lighter and he had plans to rest in his beloved forest awhile before making the return himself. Leaving him with a hug and Tenzing with a pat, I brought up the rear of the line of receding women. Comments of "most memorable" and "what a fun time" drifted back to me and I was so pleased to have been a co-conspirator for a most ordinary yet extraordinary day! Our hiking trips will never be the same as Wayne's parting words played in our heads: "This was a blast! I just might try this again sometime, somewhere!"