First Hike of the Season

The second day of spring found us searching out an old favorite in Randall about 30 minutes from Adytum~ The Sanctuary Bed and Breakfast at Mossyrock.
Camp Creek awaits with its unexpected waterfall and pristine icy stream. Storm and flood damage over a harsh winter hadn’t been cleared away yet for summer hikers so we took a higher road that lead to a picture perfect view of the falls without the walk over downed limbs. That little detour actually yielded an ideal picnic spot, which we earmarked for future reference. Unfortunately, we forgot the camera but won’t next time as that vantage point provides a lovely view of the long drop of cascading water, rimmed from our vantage point in giant fir branches and culminating in a series of crystal clear pools interspersed with large boulders. On a warm summer day, we’d have our toes in the water.
Donn got a picnic blanket for Christmas from Old Durham Road’s catalog, complete with a leather carry handle. We had received a beautiful leather wine tote from a very generous friend the year before, so now it’s on my calendar to plan a picnic as soon as it warms a little more and use our new things there. We saw a few loggers on the road, collecting windfall timber for firewood and a Sherriff ticketing someone who apparently neglected the permit to do so, but other than that, as usual we were completely alone in the wild. Well, maybe not quite alone…Donn swept me up in a celebratory kiss overlooking the waterfall. When I looked down after we were done, I realized we were both standing in a rather large pile of elk droppings! Not the most romantic ending to a perfect kiss..Evidently we used the same trail to the water they did…
As we headed back to Randle, just a short way up the road we pull into an outlet where our walk to the river begins. In the depth of summer last year, this was a Tolkien fantasy of one river splitting into four incredible shallow pools. The perfect spot to take grandchildren wading…Rich moss carpeting the ground, enormous sword ferns and towering ancient fir above. The water was quite low and it was not as we remembered at all. We realized that spring runoff hasn’t had a chance to occur yet as temperatures are still unseasonably cold. So our fantasy will return soon as spring progresses, and we will include a visit there after we have our picnic at the viewpoint to the waterfall, hopefully not running into any elk at close range.
No less enjoyable was a spot we stopped off at last year on the way home: Layser Indian Cave named after the man who found the ancient outcropping-turned- cave years ago. Evidence of early Indians has been excavated from the chilly interior of the cave, which is really just an overhanging rock, allowing about 30’ of access inside. That was the spot we got my favorite picture of me and my Borzoi Sasha last year. A nice hike but the cave was a little disappointing; less mysterious than I had imagined it might be. Still, realizing that Indians were successful at living in the beautiful forest and able to endure the cold, live off the land…well, it bears some reflection and respect.
The day ended at the local espresso stand where we queried the barista about her favorite hikes. She mentioned Goat Creek and the hikes around Cispus. We agree with Goat Creek- what a misnomer. We can’t wait to get back to that spectacular hike – about a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10. We haven’t tried the Cispus hike; the one that all the school children are introduced to when they stay at the camp there. So this season beckons with much promise of intense loveliness, pure fresh air and warmer days to enjoy the magnificent beauty just outside Randall and a short drive for us.
We drove past Hampton House Bed and Breakfast on the way home; it is now closed and for sale. The owner had shared with us of the success of that Bed and Breakfast on a seasonal basis; she needed a steadier income thus the “For Sale” sign in the yard, but said it was absolutely packed in from late spring throughout autumn. It was a cute old house, in need of much maintenance and across from a trailer. It must have been the host and hostess themselves that created the success there because the Inn was not the focal point clearly.
When Adytum ~ The Sanctuary opens soon we know that it will be a decision we will need to hold firm with forever. Once the “Castle” (as the locals call it) is discovered there will be no turning back. Adytum ~ The Sanctuary Bed and Breakfast at Mossyrock will get into the very blood calling many times a year to return and enjoy her deep pleasures.
The morning mists and bewitching fogs over Lake Mayfield, the enchantment her three spire topped towers evoke of the days of Arthurian legends, the rockwork on the main turret wall that makes her seem older than she is…the constant bird song permeating the air as half the symphony- the other half being the wind sighing through ancient trees makes itself heard. Her territorial views of mountains, lakes, rivers, farmland and forest; and the warm ambience inside of rich wood floors, the house of light with 56 windows, life inside reaching outside to the busy squirrels traversing the highway of limbs in the upper canopy 100 year old maples now at eye level from the third floor Gothic library...We’re always glad to return home, to the warm fire and glass of welcome in our hands after a day of exploring.