We were only a few yards in when Hallie grabbed my arm and looked back behind us, the look of terror on her face. Something SO LOUD was right behind us, and I could feel every survival instinct kicking in and an instant adrenaline rush.
My first thought?
Dinosaurs.
If we hadn't been talking about ghosts/angels/demons on the drive out to the Snoquera Falls trail head, we maybe wouldn't have been QUITE as freaked out.
We soon realized it was just a strong big gush of wind that had some huge old tree bending, cracking and creaking...right next to us, and VERY loudly.
After then laughing maybe just a little too hard because our veins were filled with massive amounts of adrenaline, we continued on our hike. Awhile later, we quickly noticed the same Boy Scout-esque theater and benches that we had seen right before the terrifying tree incident. We had just gone in a big loop, and weren't even on the official trail yet, in fact we were back at the beginning of it. We...are awesome.
So on we went. We commented on how we hadn't seen a single other hiker yet, and although we hadn't left my house as early as we would have liked, at least the sun was still out and the dark clouds were staying away...so far.
Then we came across a huge fallen tree. It was big enough, the trail was narrow enough, and the mountain at that point was steep enough, where it probably would have been possible -but not very wise- to crawl over it. So we decided (after standing there staring at it for a solid minute or two) our best bet was to army-crawl under it. And laugh while doing so, because it was just that sort of day.
The rest of the hike was filled with life-talk, girl-talk, and continuing to comment how there were no other hikers. Then all of a sudden we turned a corner, and this:
As soon as we saw that waterfall, all I could think and say was, "WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE GO HIKING, EVERY DAY, ALL DAY." Seriously, though. If you live in the Pacific Northwest I can honestly not understand how you wouldn't want to go hiking at least once in awhile. But okay, yes, I understand people have entirely different interests, abilities, hobbies, and opinions on what's "fun", but for real. Get out there if possible, you're missing out. *Rant-fueled-by-this-amazing-view*
When we got to this point, we actually saw PEOPLE! An older couple and a younger couple. The younger couple first asked us with a smirk on their faces, "So...did you guys go over or under the fallen tree?" Yes, it was that memorable. And then they took our picture:
...and we talked to the older couple about marathons. I'm running the same one as the older guy this spring! Besties.
Then we sat and ate our lunch. We quickly realized it was freezing outside. Then we noticed some clouds coming in. So while we started getting ready to continue back the way we came, we overheard the two couples talking about how they saw each other in the parking lot and took two different paths up, getting to this mid-point at the same time. So they were both deciding to try the other trail back down.
We wanted to be adventurous, too! So, we trusted 4 complete strangers and started going down the opposite way. Then...it started snowing. Then...we realized we seem to be hiking away from where we perceived our cars to be. Then...it started snowing some more. Then...we started to REALIZE we were trusting complete strangers. Then...we caught up to the younger couple and all nervously laughed about having no idea where this trail truly led. Then...we started coming up with different game plans (they weren't very good ones) of what to do if we decide we really were lost, in a place with no cell signal.
Then Hallie told me, "This reminds me of that scary movie where....ohk nevermind I'm not going to tell this story right now..."
But finally we saw the outskirts of the Boy Scout camp again just as it started snowing even harder. We took a few pictures and videos to celebrate, then hurried to our car.
Then we got burgers and fries on our way home.
...then watched Netflix for 2 hours.
Saturday's adventure, complete.
I will leave you with this video of Hallie jumping off a log. Like a pro. But it's funny because: Slow Mo. If you don't laugh at least a little, you lose.
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