Did you ever go exploring in nature as a kid and stumble upon one of those places that somehow felt… magical? As if it were a very real possibility that fairies and gnomes might emerge to greet you? We discovered one such place in the forest neighbouring our farm, and it made me feel like a kid again. I became as giddy as a schoolboy.

In an earlier post I wrote of a waterfall that we could hear more than see from up on the forestry road. Well today we braved the steep thicket and bushwhacked a path down to its base. Wow. No words, they should have sent a poet…

The photo doesn’t do it justice. It seems more of a wonder in person, naturally. To truly appreciate the full majesty of any waterfall, I think, you need to see it in action, be deafened by its torrential crash, feel the mist against your skin. It’s a sensory buffet. It’s like the hand of nature has smacked you upside the face, stunning you just long enough to forget who you think you are. It washes away your mind. It was roaring so loud that when I screamed into it I could barely hear my own voice. Behold it for more than a moment and you’d be drenched by plumes of spray billowing off the rocks. It was invigorating.

Yes, I’m probably overexcited by this. Of course there’s bigger and better out there, but having something like this so close to where we live (or will be living) and practically all to ourselves is pretty thrilling. It makes it all the more special. It feels sacred. I feel somehow protective of it.

It’s a little challenging navigating your way down what could be described as a gorge, but on our way back we found a route that was clear of brush and less steep. We plan on trail-blazing a wee track and clearing away some of the dead sticks and tree limbs from the bedrock at the waterfall’s base to make for better viewing. That way people coming to visit can enjoy it, too. The fresh pools that form along the river and under the waterfall will not go unused when that summer heat rolls in. Taking a break from farm work in the middle of a scorching day for a refreshing dip in the cool river beneath the forest canopy… mmmhmm!

What a precious natural treasure, and just a hop over the fence! We’ll be going back soon for some long-exposure shots. Standby!