Kentucky Falls is Special

Day 10

I was super tired and did not get up until 6:05am.  The alarm was set at 4:11am but I didn’t’ hear it at all. 

What is it about the kitchen or dinning area that seems to draw people to do lots of venting.  I find it offensive to spoil the food with such garbage, toxins, and poison!    

After lunch I got onto the Kentucky Falls truck.  I was on Henry’s truck.  I sat next to Darius and Henry.  Somehow we missed the right turn after the last bridge and went left towards the highway.  We didn’t know this until we were 15 miles into it.  The GPS did not work for Kentucky Falls. 

When we made it back to the crossing, a red truck sat and parked on the island of the crossing.  Two men sat in the front and one in the back. The man in the back pointed the right to show us the way.  What are the chances of that? 

On the trail I chose to be a sweeper and walked behind.  I had thought I could skip Kentucky Falls this year because I have seen so many beautiful trails this summer already.  As I hiked I realized Kentucky Falls has a special place in my heart.  The trail is just so beautiful.   There is history here of the early days of this retreat when it first begun. This trail is trail #1376 on Siuslaw National Forest.

It’s lovely to see the monastics join us for this hike.

I recalled when Silver was able to join us and jumped in at every sight of water he crossed and that’s a lot water.  I recalled when Silver learned how to ride on Henry’s truck to lean on the turns to not slide across the back of the truck or fly off the road.  I remember when Henry would chant Great Compassion Mantra on the trail and read Dharani Sutra while waiting for us to catch up.  The simple peace of anther time was felt in this modern busy day. 

Laughing Silly Over Rice Crackers

Day 42 National Park 2011

I sat looking at the campsite fee envelope, I thought about how I should not be afraid to move on.  It is time to no longer linger here.  So I had to put the envelope back for some other happy camper to use.  It was a dry night tonight and this allowed my tent to dry up somewhat.  Mosquitoes are out in full force everywhere.  A neighboring tent aired out their tent to dry without a rainfly.  I wondered if I should do the same.  But I didn’t trust this period of dry, so I left my rainfly on the tent and it rained.  Someone will return to a very wet tent, sleeping bag and everything else in their tent. 

The river with smoky mountain top was dreamy to watch.  This trail had interesting trees, logs, and creeks that waved beautifully.  A male deer strolled through the trail.

While on the trail I heard, “Don’t worry so much.  Don’t think so much.  Just keep your mind focused on reciting.  Lean on the Dharma.”  Alright, then I looked at the mountain and said, “ I won’t see the peaks in this weather, near or far.  I am leaving the bad guys with you to cross over and to recycle to benefit.  They are not leaving with me.  Thanks!” 

I returned to camp drenched and cold and I was glad I didn’t do the 17.5 mile Glacier Meadow Trail today or anytime this week.  The first 9 miles seems alright but the last 4 miles inclines 4,000 feet just past Olympic campground.  That part is a challenge.  I am also still injured.  Regardless of the injuries, it's a tough hike.  

It rained four inches this week, the sum total for the average summer.  It doubled the summer’s rain count and it is still pouring. 

It took me two hours to notice I have been shivering in my wet clothes.   My softshell jacket was drenched through, it doesn’t work well for downpour.  I was so cold I put on layers just to warm up. 

In the afternoon I happily looked forward to breaking into my last bag of rice crackers.  I looked at the ingredient list and noticed there was fish in it.  I was crushed, crushed over rice crackers.  The things that takes someone who has been in isolation and solitude near the edge, who knew it would be rice crackers.  I sang to myself, “It’s okay, It’s gonna be okay.”  Then I broke out into silly laughter for the next hour.  It’s really time to move on.  I had fun laughing myself silly.         

First Break in the Rain

Day 41 National Park 2011

I woke up feeling ill from tension and heaviness of the abs and was distracted with worries.  I meditated and recited, things cleared up and I felt a soft light air full of oxygen expand in my head and beyond. 

I went on the Hall of Moss trail this morning.  This area had two large clusters of moss on maple trees.  The pools of water at the entrance was nice, and had beautiful greens growing in it.  It felt very cool.  

I saw a group of people from a nature photography class with tripods and fancy SLR digital camera with fancy gear packs.  They are on a six day workshop $600 each, not including boarding or food.  The photographer drives people around on a shuttle.  He teaches them how to use their camera and works with them on composition.  They get up at sunrise and gets shots at certain places and times.  Some came from Colorado.  I think the best part of this was for me to see the joy and the focus of attention, the zone people get into.  I can relate to that. 

One woman complained of not having the right expensive gear to make her photos work.  I disagree.  Most people only know to use one function on their camera, and sets it at auto point and shoot mode.      

As I came out of the trail I saw tall trees that fell over, and I also saw nursing logs. 

I stopped at the visitor center to ask about other places, a wonderful ranger recommended I do First Beach and skip Second Beach in La Push. 

When I stepped out of the visitor center I saw people returning from their trip, totally all in mud, drenched and caked. They aren’t talking much.   The ones who are just heading out on their backpacking trips are full of excitement and joy. 

I met Ranger C Anderson from Port Angles who has been with the park for four seasons.  He just loves it here.  Last night at 11:30pm a bobcat jumped across the road.  Someone saw two cougars the other day.  He said there are amazing spots in the national forest too, all very different terrain.  He has no desire to go anywhere or leave the place except to visit Australia.  He dreads the off season of having to bear living in Port Angels the rest of the year. I can so relate.  He was a young clear face man who spoke in tune to the rhythm of the mountain.  He was born to be a steward chosen by the mountain.

The sun peered through for five minutes and then rain continued.  A new group of campers moved in.  New neighbor was a sunny young city urban folk with very capable chi of many talents along with a friend, all very beautiful and full of good blessing. 

My internal state is like this weather.  The sun comes out and hopefully shines.  In twenty minutes the sprinkles begin and the sky turns dark, scary grey and continues to repeat.  The awareness of the change is present, the relief of the sun is much appreciated in the midst of pulling inward to contemplate and adventure darkness.  I am grateful for all the conditions possible to manifest this journey.  I am happy and peaceful.  I can live like this each day for the rest of my life in simplicity and in nature. 

Contemplation for the day
To be truly at peace, to surrender, to let go, no more struggles, no more entanglement, no more anger, no more grips, no more hurt, no more pain, no more sadness, no more confusion, there just isn’t anything else better to do than this.         

Tonight is the first night of a break from continual rain.  I walked around to see what people are doing.  They’ve all got a fire going.  A couple by the river has their harmonica going.  The mist, fog, and clouds danced above the river and around the mountain, a beautiful scene to witness.  All the campers seem to be super mosquito resilient.  I have to do the mosquito dance. 

A Chinese young man with a blond female friend is across from me.  He collected wood which is all damp and tried to have a fire.  It looked super smoky.  He poured lighter fluid to get it started.  As he poured, he checked over his right and left shoulder as if he was committing a crime, as if getting help with a starter fluid was illegal and his fire had to be doused out to destroy evidence.  It was super cute and funny.  Wet wood is hard to work with.  

Since my tent is parked on the elk and deer trail, it naturally smells like elk and deer pee.  I don’t mind.  But there are lots of puddles on the tent floor. 

Glacier Happy

Day 33 National Park 2011

It was lovely to wake up to the sounds of rain.  I put on snow boots to keep my legs warm and dry.  At 8:35am I got up and found my head spinning in dramas like channel flipping all the stations on TV.  The rain was drizzling and not a downpour.  The rain stopped at 9:30am.  It was lovely to meditate to the sounds of rain. 

I spoke to my scattered mind ridding on a roller coaster lacking stillness, efficiency, and creativity, “I don’t want to be like you.  I’d rather be a sage.  I won’t need to bathe or bother with eating.  I won’t step on living beings.  I will have ended birth and death.” 

At 1pm I head for the Cascade Pass and I missed the bridge turnoff by the gas station.  I kept on going towards Rockport.  I finally pulled out a map and turned around.  On this side going east there is a sign but not the other direction.  I drove slow admiring the beautiful scenery.  The road was covered in white, orange, and purple flowers.  It was a long drive to get to the road block.  There was snow on the mountains and the misty clouds hovered over the peaks drifting in and out. It was a pretty sight of wonder to watch. 

Today I felt my head light and clear.  It was a majestic two and half hour hike.  The road block stops perfectly at where the beauty of the scenery opens up.  The things I would have missed if I just drove by.  The avalanches have fallen and debris has been cleared.  The snow off the mountain is tourmaline blue, beautiful.  The misty clouds reveals bits and pieces of this peak or that peak.  The sun peered through in spots here and there off and on.  I loved how the snow dressed the mountain accessorizing it, defining parts making it easier for the eyes to decipher the face and edge textures.  Waterfalls of snow melt were everywhere along with sounds of running water.  The water roars violently, moves at fast and dangerous speed.  The sky drizzled off an on.  The mountain is charcoal damp grey from the rain.  The air just smelled amazing.  I felt my lungs open up.  The entire walk was beautiful, full of cedar and pine trees with floral beds all over. 

I made it to the snow where the snow trucks parked.  Just past it the road ends, buried in 15 feet of snow.  I knew I wasn’t going to climb it.  I had chosen to not bring poles or snow shoes because I knew I could not hike in the snow physically with my injuries and I did not have an ice ax or rope to climb out of a crack or crevasse.   This was as close as I got to Sahale Glacier. 

My ankle burned, it hurt half mile into the hike.  I told my ankle to heal because I have plans for more hiking, I haven’t given up.  I need it to be healthy and strong.  I haven’t even begun accessing my trip plans. 

During the hike I reflected on my family and how much kindness they have showered me.  I am grateful.  My family has gentle souls, kind sweet hearts.  We have been through rough, difficult times.  Know and seeing their kind hearts is enough.  No one needs to do anything more.  I am grateful for the love, nurture, kindness, care that has been showered onto me.  I remember.  I know.  I see.  I hear.  That’s enough, please focus on yourself, and heal yourself.  I don’t need anything. I don’t expect anything.  I don’t demand anything at all.  I am grateful.          

I saw a couple backpack with skis at the Cascade Pass trail at 5pm heading towards Sahale Glacier.  They must be experienced to start the trail so late.  It’s a good thing day light goes to 9:30pm here.  They must be strong too.  I have no wish, no will to go on such expedition and sleep on the snow. 

I ate roasted peppers, dongfen in sate, and hot and sour soup for dinner.  I began to pack up camp in preparation for tomorrow’s drive.  Mike from Boston came over to help me with mapping out Olympic National Park.  He is looking younger by the day.  Tonight the Boston group was all laughter and beer.  I find it wonderful that people make annual trips together.