Hiking at Cape Lookout and a Picnic at the Beach

Labor Day found us out of school and ready for a hike.  Well sorta ready...  At our house it was sunshiny and warm, at the trail it was foggy and rainy and cold.  But it didn't really seem to affect the kiddies much. 

Here we are, ready to go.

I was really thankful for my sweatshirt!   Despite the cold, rain and fog, it was nice to get out into nature and explore!

Because of the fog, we couldn't see the ocean far below, but we could sure hear it.  These are the trails that bring on the gray hair to the worrying mama.  If you slipped and fell here, you would for sure be a goner!

This is where the trail ended for us.  Due to our unpreparedness and the lack of food in our tummies and the fact that the actual trail stretched on for a long way and the observation that everyone returning on the trail was totally covered in mud and NOT smiling.    Some day, when we are more prepared we will hike and complete this trail.

As we were hiking back out, the ocean had become more visible.  Its a long, scary way down!

Distant shore line, barely visible

The kiddies are checking out the trail map

Then we headed down to the beach for our peanut butter sandwich picnic lunch.  Interestingly enough, the sun was shinning at the beach but we could see the cape was still enshrouded with fog.

Soakin up the sunshine, cuz the rain is a-coming!

Niagara Falls/Pheasant Creek Falls Hike

Saturday afternoon we went for a hike.  Our destination:  Niagara Falls and Pheasant Creek Falls.   The drive there was beautiful.

 

 

The little lady exhibiting her "stand still and don't move"  abilities.



 

The Niagara Falls Trailhead.  

 The crew all ready to go!

This trail is listed as easy to moderate.  (In my opinion it is a little more difficult than the Drift Creek hike we did on July 4th.)  Round trip 2 miles with an elevation change of 350 feet.  I found it to be mostly family friendly. 

We saw billions of ferns and pretty flowers.

 

And lots of different kinds of ripening berries.



I took this picture just before they started a heated discussion on who was going to be the leader.

Along this trail were several benches and several bridges.

  First view of Niagara Falls.  This is a cascading type of waterfall and the water drops 100+ feet.  In reading online about this falls it describes the falls as only a shadow of itself during the summer and fall months.  Another interesting fact is that this falls was not named for the famous Niagara Falls but for the proximity of Niagara Point.

 

The best time to view this would be during the winter and spring.  Maybe we can return someday.

My silly hiking partner!

View of Pheasant Creek Falls

We wanted to go right to the base of  Pheasant Creek Falls so we followed this overgrown path...

climbed over logs...

and carefully stepped over slippery, slimy rocks.  Knowing full well that one slip of the hoof would plunge you into icy water.

During this portion of the path, Andy carried two of the three kiddies.

Ahh it was so nice to sit and rest at the base of the falls.

Winter and spring would be the peak season for the amount of falling water, but I think that even now, in July, the water would sting the skin, should you decide to take a shower.

Back at the car, feeling proud of our accomplishments.

Fun on the Fourth

The fourth of July dawned clear and beautiful.  *We have been blessed with fantastic weather recently blue skies and lots of sunshine and this makes my heart extra happy. 

As you can see we started the day in good spirits!

 

Drift Creek Falls Trail~  this trail is not far from Lincoln City and is located in the Siuslaw National Forrest.  The trail is 3 miles round trip with a elevation change of 400 feet.   It is listed as a easy to moderate hike.   



 

We were ready and excited to hit the trail! 





 

 

 

Get ready..... get set....

 

Go!

One of the bridges over the creek.

This is the 240 foot suspension bridge that spans the rocky creek bed.  I must admit that my stomach did a bit of jumping around as I looked WAY down at the rocks below and felt the bridge bounce and sway as we crossed. 

The bridge was built in 1997, and is dedicated in memory of Scott Paul who died while working on the rigging.

 

The falls is described as a 75 foot "horse tail" falls.  Below:  Drift Creek Falls as viewed from the bridge.

 

 The Falls and Suspension Bridge as viewed from the creek bank.

Of course no hike is complete without a picnic lunch!  Today's lunch consisted of sandwiches from Subway.  Yummy!  I loved the rustic "picnic table". 

 

 And then rock climbing is a must!

This was such a fun hike and I thought it was very family friendly. 

 

 

During our travels we saw some great scenery.

And this great covered bridge.

 

 In the evening we enjoyed supper and fireworks with some friends. 



There was no shortage of smoke or silliness!

 

 

My littlest man was not sure what to think.