I became super excited when I sauntered into the woods on this rainy late afternoon and made it to my favorite tree. Luckily, I wore my rain jacket and waterproof shoes with my special insoles because it started to rain as I trekked up the trail past my favorite tree. The clouds covered the sun today and darkness enveloped the woods as I strolled to the second bridge.
The woods are getting dark.
When I got there, I thought, “What the heck are you doing? It’s pretty dark.” A woman almost blinded me with her headlamp as she hiked past me. I only had my iPhone flashlight, but it was better than nothing and I know the trail well. As I descended slowly and carefully back down, I asked the trees to protect me. A light rain fell as I took one step at a time down the trail holding my iPhone for light.
At first, I could still see — the licorice ferns growing on the deciduous tree trunks and the trail. Then, as it became darker, I saw the white butterfly, and she followed me.
Then I saw a white butterfly flutter past and around me. I didn’t even know butterflies were around this time of year. I caught glimpses of the butterfly which seemed to glow in the darkness with its whiteness as I trekked down the hill. My feet didn’t hurt at all. It was like a regular walk from the trail when I hurried down before it got dark. Then I saw my favorite tree. It looked illuminated and bright because I shined the iPhone flashlight right at it. I was amazed I managed to find it at all! The white butterfly followed me out of the woods to the trail that led to our neighborhood and then I didn’t see it again.
Spencer Butte Summit with a Crescent moon (center).
I turned around and stared at the woods in the shadows and then headed home. One more week.
A beautiful rainbow (left) and magical skies (center)
The next day I didn’t make it into the woods, but I still strolled around the neighborhood. I saw a beautiful rainbow and spectacular skies. It rained, stopped raining, and then rained again.
The sweet gum tree in front of our house (you can see my cute little car to the right of it). Spencer Butte Summit is int he distance.
The leaves on the sweet gum tree in front of our house have finally begun to turn yellow and gold and a blustery wind blew many leaves off the tree today. I love it when the weather changes drastically within an hour. One never knows about nature.
Beautiful rainbow (left and right) Spencer Butte Summit (center)
Tonight, while I work, I look at the knee scooter and wonder if I can ride it on the trail. I mean, it has four wheels and brakes so why not? I did see two people happily whiz down the trail near the walking bridge on electric wheelchairs. It looked like fun!
I love the trippy-colored sky right before it rains when it had been sunny out. Thus the rainbow.
My son Stevie put this entire event together with help from his friends and his brother Jeremy & Erika who drove up from California to help. (Stevie created this small flyer, photo by me).
As I drove through the forest which became denser alongside Fall Creek, I thought, wow, you’re getting around for a chick with messed up feet! I pulled into the campground, grabbed my bag, ukulele, water, and a folding chair, and followed the music. I heard “Tangled Up in Blue” played by a band called Dylanology. It’s one of my favorite Dylan tunes, though I love many. I saw a dude wearing a sleeveless Grateful Dead t-shirt and flip-flops dancing like crazy in front of the stage and realized, hey, that’s my son Jeremy! He saw me and we hugged, and he said he was doing stuff, but when he heard that is his favorite Dylan song, he had to dance even though it was about 90 degrees. I smiled because it should not surprise me that sometimes, just sometimes, my kids and I are on the same wavelength.
Dylanology — what a fabulous band!
Then I saw Stevie, and he introduced me to some of his friends. I ended up sitting in a long-covered area filled with tables and benches because it was cooler and we could still see the band and dig the groovy music. I kind of felt sorry for the band though. I knew it must’ve been hot out there, even with the trees above. The drummer, Ron Rocci, and another member of the band were from the Dead Band. Members of the Dead Band played on Friday night. I know that band so well because it was my friend Erik’s favorite Grateful Dead tribute band, and we went to many shows. In fact, they dedicated a show to Erik when he passed suddenly over a year ago. I even saw one of our friends from those shows. It is such a small world.
Since it was Sunday, there weren’t as many people there. Some had left, but there was still a nice little crowd. The Dylanology band ended with Rainy Day Women 12 and 35, and we all yelled, “Everybody must get stoned!” as they played.
I also got to hang out with Erika and Flower and visit the beloved tall trees that I’ve missed so much these past weeks. All I had to do was walk a super short distance to become completely immersed in some old Douglas firs, Sitka spruces, and some mighty Cedars, along with the maples. I lingered next to the magical trees, all filled with wisdom and knowledge that we can only attempt to understand. I slowly made my way back to the main area and rested my feet for a little while and traversed in a different direction, this time towards a lovely wooden bridge with an off-shoot of Fall Creek roaring along — or it was Clark Creek. I’m not sure. I just know that the creek made me happy.
Everyone talked about how wonderful the weekend had been, and how much fun they had. Also, as usual, Stevie and Jeremy never failed to make people laugh with their constant jokes and banter. They don’t even have to try when they’re together. It just organically happens. They worked hard at the festival and still managed to have fun. I also walked across the street with Erika and Jeremy to the main creek where everyone swims. I didn’t walk all the way down with them though because I attempted to be careful. Jeremy asked if I was okay because of my feet, and I said yeah, as long as I don’t do anything crazy. He then said, “Yes, it’s quite a traverse getting right down to the water.” That made me laugh because I often use the word “traverse” when I write about my adventures on the trails in the woods. Great minds do think alike, hehe!
I was so lucky to be among the trees I love so much in spite of my messed-up feet. This was all so close by…easily accessible. Those Douglas Firs, Cedars and Sitka Spruces are magical.
I was perfectly happy though I didn’t make it down to the creek because I could hear and see the crystal-clear water flow. Stevie told me that two weeks earlier, he had attended an event at the exact same location, and it rained the entire weekend. He said Fall Creek swelled up and overflowed wildly because of all the rain, and he wondered if it would be safe to swim in the creek at his event in two weeks. Luckily, the weather turned warm, and the rain stopped over a week earlier, so all was well. They did have to share a part of the creek with “day use” folks who drove to the creek to enjoy the first warm weather of the year and hang out at the creek, but they found their own area.
A lovely old-school amphitheater is close by. (photos taken by me).
Another short walk took me to more old-growth trees and a small, older amphitheater in the woods. It reminded me of a larger one in the Santa Cruz mountains near Boulder Creek, California, surrounded by redwood trees — except much smaller and practically camouflaged by trees. I imagined what might have been performed in that spot — music or shows of some kind. People reading their writing…”Live a great story!” A motto from Story Summit Writers School popped into my head as well. Yes! The sky was the limit here. Or one could just sit and listen to the birds sing and trees sway way up high above in the afternoon breeze.
I swear this video is “haunted” because it randomly played on my iPhone for days, even when I was listening to Beatles music!
Stevie barbecued food for all and then some, and a couple of guys from the band called “Brown Stallion,” which had wowed everyone on Saturday night played acoustic songs on guitar and bass. Jeremy played bongos with them for a little while. I wondered if those were the same ones I got for his 22nd birthday long ago. I played a little bit of ukulele, but it was fun to just chill and take in everything.
I was so happy in the woods and listening to the jamming…and checking out the trees. Flower looks comfy.
I spent time together with everyone as twilight arrived and it cooled down. We laughed and talked and then Stevie suggested I leave before dark because the roads are pitch black, so I left around 8:30 PM. We hugged, and I told him how cool it was that he sent up this little festival, “Summer Solstice Soak.” Stevie truly is an inspiration to me. He’s a mover and a shaker, and I know he’ll set up more of these awesome musical events. Here I worry about my feet, and my kid is on dialysis, yet he still manages to spearhead a festival and camp in the woods. He looked so happy out there, in his element. Stevie reminds me that we all must live life to its fullest no matter what; that I must live life to its fullest. What an incredible day it was filled with family, friends, and love — and a giant creek and the big trees!
me and Stevie being goofy, me and Erika and me and Jeremy. selfies taken by me\
