Serendipity

Serendipity struck twice.  Our first time out the waterfall was nothing more than faceless name on a map.  Snow laid heavy upon the ground with the rare winter sun casting misleading warm hues through the bare forest.   Having never been to this spot before we set off down the snow covered path toward what turned out to be an amazing find.  A short hike down the somewhat treacherous trail led us to a waterfall frozen solid; cascading sheets of ice stacking on each other like building blocks.

Below on the frozen river a photographer was trying to capture just the right angel to showcase the true impressive nature of this frozen spectacle.  Watching him work must have struck a cord with us. Cameras in hand, we began exploring the steep and slick terrain.  A voice called from behind.  Brisk and gruff it had the tones of man long acquainted to time spent out doors.  “There’s another more impressive waterfall down the trail a ways – well worth the hike.  It’s not even listed on the park map!”  Curiosity peeked my interest, but looking with longing toward the disappearing trail, the words of Robert Frost ran through my head and I knew that this would be a road for another day.

Fast forward a few weeks and we again made the trek out toward what has quickly become one of our favorite spots.  This time the weather was warm, with a t-shirt and jeans being the order of the day.  We wanted to see how the approaching spring would affect our frozen friend and to our delight a steady stream of water played upon the rocks.  As we once again began capturing the waterfall on film a familiar voice called out. “There’s another more impressive waterfall down the trail a ways – well worth the hike.  It’s not even listed on the park map!”  The hiker paused long enough in the course of his now familiar call for Amber to remark – “Hey, I think you were here the last time!”  This time, with the winter snows off the ground, we set off in search of this mystic second waterfall. After about a mile of root scrambles and stream crossings we came upon the distinct sound of rushing water.   As it turns out the hiker was right. This waterfall was worth the hike. And I guess, unlike lighting, serendipity can strike twice.