When we reached the waterfalls, the hike was more than worth it (in the hike’s defense, the way down wasn’t bad- the way up, as you’ll see, wasn’t such a piece of cake).
(I played with editing for these).
To our backs, there was the waterfall, and to our fronts, there was this stunning view:
When we turned to look at it, the cold spray of the waterfall blew gently across our backs, and I felt quite like an Elf in Rivendell or Lothlorien or Ellesmera or any other magical land where no gap exists between life and nature.
Everything was impossibly lush and green and this little flower was just so happy to be alive. (If you look carefully you can see it waving hello).
Though the government here can’t agree on anything, someone had the foresight to agree to spend a little money on the most poetic bridge I have ever seen.
One of the great things about having a good camera is that I get candids of everyone here. Frank has the same camera as I do, so between the two of us the trip’s pretty well documented.
These two splashed in the pools at the bottom, because you certainly couldn’t swim in it (I wish!)
Frank offered to take pictures of this couple, and they subsequently offered us the use of their car if we ever need it. The number one lesson I continue to learn as I travel: genuinely nice people are genuinely nice everywhere.
Frank was brave enough and stepped under the bridge for photos… I was not so brave.
Everyone here smiles with their eyes, and that’s just as beautiful as the waterfall. I never trust someone who doesn’t express themselves with their eyes.
This family came in, and this girl was the most adorable (and loud, but when I have a kid, I’m not going to encourage them to stifle their Waterfall Wonder, so I wasn’t so perturbed after reminding myself of that). I love this next picture. It’s hard to capture the scale of nature sometimes, but I think this comes close.
And we all got Waterfall Portraits.
Jackie:
John:
(I know this is a lot of pictures, but look how happy the water is!)
People brought picnics of peaches, smoked meat and goat cheese sandwiches, and chocolate croissants, and had the most poetic lunches.
We all had our moments of meditation (necessary here, after studying day in and day out other people’s pain).
I feel quite Georgia O’Keefe about the next photo.
This was my spot for a bit. In front of me, the bridge, and beside me, the most charming Prince-Edward-Island-Meets-Narnia pathway.
Diagonally from me, the waterfall.
Soon, though, it was time to say goodbye, so I said goodbye to the bridge, my flowerbouquet, and the waterfall, and we headed back (which you’ll see Monday).
Traveler at the Edge 