hot springs adventure
The day after returning from Canada, Lisa and I went to the Oregon Country Fair. We had a wonderful time, and Sunday night headed out for some hot springs she'd been to. We left the Oregon Country Fair around 9ish, and drove many hours to northeast of Roseburg. Not sure the name of the hot springs we were seeking, but around 2am, we reached the trailhead, only to discover the bridge had been removed. Crossing the river in the dark was pretty much out of the question. After rereading the sign on how to find the alternate route, we got back in the car and drove 2 miles back down to where the road crossed the river. Just on the other side was access to the trail that passed by the springs. We were looking at a 2 mile walk, through the darkness of thick woods on a narrow trail on a extremely steep canyon edge. Lisa’s only shoes are flip flops. We could bed down for the remainder of the night, or brave the trail. With a headlamp, a pocket maglite, and 2 towels, down the trail we went, lighting out at 2:26am. It took us most of an hour with a few questions of which way the trail went, and getting across what appeared to be some spooky slides. It was really dark, and it was a long steep fall to the bottom of the canyon. At one point, I noticed the full moon at the canyon’s rim, and silly me, thought, even said, when the moon gets higher, we’ll have good light to walk back by. We made it to the hot springs, and of course had the place to ourselves. What other fools would be there in the wee hours with the bridge out? Someone had left ample candles behind, so we soaked in the glorious hot water while the light and shadows of candles danced that ancient dance. At one point I said look the moon must be rising. Honey she says, that’s the sun. Oh what a goose I am. Walking the trail back in the daylight, we didn't even notice the slides we were so cautious of in the dark. Driving home without any sleep is not an option, so instead, we head to Crater Lake, (I know this makes no sense, but does love ever?) stopping frequently, having an outstanding breakfast in the Crater Lake Lodge, seeing some wonderful sights. We bedded down for a few hours on the Rogue River, and finally made it home around 10pm. I missed practice, but it was worth it.
posted by Jeff Kelley at 3:06 PM
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