Hidden in a grove of trees in northern Oregon is an overgrown, muddy path. Its entrance is obscured by blackberry bushes and tangled weeds. As the growth is pushed away, the trail is only visible by the substantial amounts of mud evident through the matted grass. Even in the summer months, the path remains soggy from the steady northwest rain. This trail was once used for a single week every summer, a place of refuge, now obscured by heavy forest.
Descending down the trail, weeds must occasionally be pushed out of the way. The path continues on its shallow descent, and trickling water can be heard through the final wall of trees. The trail comes to a halt at a rusted, chain-link gate; it is wedged open just enough for a small body to squeeze through. Directly ahead, a thick curtain of willow branches sweeps the ground.
Pulling apart the tendrils of the willow tree is difficult.
English: Photograph by Mario Vaden, at Simpson Ree...
English: Stile near blackberry bushes This stile i...
English: Food on the path Easy to get a quick snac...A swift separation of the hands brings resistance, as if attacking a stubborn snarl in a child's hair. Breaking through, the sunlight is nearly blinding, as the cool shadow of the forest disappears. Smooth rocks extend out of the riverbed and onto the banks of the creek. On the opposite side of the river is lush, green grass; full, draping trees; and still pools with the surface broken by hundreds of waterbugs skating on top. The stream is about knee-high, and its chilly water tumbles happily over the stones and boulders of the creek bed. The sanctuary is a world of green plants and sun-kissed flowers. The perfume of lilies in the sun permeates the heavy air as it lazily drifts over the water. Directly ahead is a beautiful, inviting tree; a long, thick branch drifts out of the trunk and hovers...