Silver Falls State Park….Trail of Ten Falls…..with 2 boys…..

     Wow!  No where else had I heard of this treasure…….10 waterfalls to see in a simple 8 mile loop trail, a few you walk behind!!!!   Oh my gosh, how awesome.  I was in!  I decided it would be a great trip for my two stepsons (aged 10 & 13) and I to take and a weekend was arranged.  I thought since it was the winter it would be easy to get a cabin.   For the record, don’t assume this, call early to reserve…..same day may not work!  Duh.  Cabins at $39.00 were all taken.  They have 14 cabins in the State Park.   

     Fortunately for us they also have a private conference Center next door that rents out cabins and provides meals for an additional fee.  Since it was winter, rain expected and 26 miles east of Salem, this was great option.   For $55.00 a night we got in and the big difference from the Park was; we got restrooms in the cabins and meals if we so choose for an additional fair fee.  $7.50 breakfast, $12.50 dinner, kids 10 and under half price.  Lunch if you order early.   The park also has a huge campground.  The Conference Center was very nice and the food good.   

     I picked up the boys and they proceeded to tell me about their evening the night before.  They had gone to a concert at our church with a Christian band called “Easterlyn”.   The story behind the band name is touching.  One of the band members sister had decided to adopt a child from China.  Shortly after her adoption she started telling her new parents to pray for her sister, she asked everyday.  Being a Christian family and raising her in a christian way, this was done as asked, everyday.  However, she didn’t have a sister.  She was an only child.  Moreover, if she did, the chances of her being named ‘Bella’ were astronomical.   To appease her, this was done, every day for several months as requested.   Friends were told of the insistence of a three year old to do this every day.  Then one day a call came from a relative, “Click on the adoption site, you will not believe this”.  They clicked and there she was; a little girl named, ‘Bella’.  Bella was up for adoption and their hearts told them to inquire.   Yes, she was up for adoption, yet two hurdles existed.   There is a year waiting period to adopt a second child and it had been only six months.   Also, unfortunately, two other families were in line to get her.  Yet the way of the world works wonders and they dropped out.  Then another miracle happened and the agency made an exception to the family and allowed a second adoption.   So now Easterly had her little sister she’d prayed for.   The name of the band and the little angel that produced a miracle was made official.
     My ten year old told this story in a halting manner, thinking, pausing and going back to correct things as he thought of it.  I got the gist.  Then my 13 year old; Christopher, said seriously “Ok.  Let me tell you how it went down!”. This just struck me funny!  Now, I had not seen them in two months or more and the things he says are funny!  My skinny 13 year old, talking in slang, I think….I could not stop laughing and this made for a great start for us…..the weekend was going to be filled with laughter…..this held true when the younger one, Rueben; starting reading jokes from my iPhone and couldn’t say gynecologist, instead read, guy-no-co-list.  Then the fun part came, explaining what it was, the boys couldn’t understand why a guy would want to do that, as the joke said a male guy-no-co-list was like a mechanic who didn’t own a car!  Later when they were eating their gifts of two foot pepperoni sticks, I grabbed one end and started eating it; Christopher challenged, “first one to the middle wins!”.  I hope he becomes a comedian.  
     We got to Silver Falls Conference Center in time to see the last of dinner being served.  Somehow, the boys spotted chocolate cake.  Their eager eyes were noticed as the chef told us we were welcome to take cake to our room…..thanks!!!
     Since we were early, we decided to take in a movie.  ‘Unstoppable’, with Denzel Washington was on our radar screen.  A word to the wise: when you go to a new theater, double check the theater number; it may not be small like yours and there may be two showings that start at different times!  Then, if you walk into the middle of a movie and check your ticket stub, walk out!  Don’t get caught up in the story no matter how exciting, as you will want to watch it from the beginning and may be staying up very late to do it!  Just saying.         
      Since we came in so late we were scrambling at 8:48 to get to breakfast, which was served till 9:00, only to discover it was till 8:30.  The chef knew there were thee more folks so he waited!!  Thanks!
      Bellies full we were ready for the eight mile hike.  We stopped without a plan at an advertised sign for a waterfall.   I wanted to go to the visitor center, for at least a map but in the land of,  “I want to go now”, we were off.  Christopher did take a picture of the map and we were off to a 5 mile hike.  It turns out three miles were a loop that bordered the road on both sides….so we opted for a five mile hike and a drive to the trailheads, for a short half mile trek.  The trail was well signed, plus we had the picture, although the battery died.  We got a map at the Lodge later, it was nice to have but not necessary.  
      What a great hike, we were immediately rewarded with one of the taller waterfalls and two more in short order.  We were able to walk behind three of them and my camera was very busy…..although it was hard for the boys to pause so much for the pictures, they were patient and helpful with lens changes and as subject matter….ok, once it cost me $2.00.
      Ever walked behind waterfalls??  A must do…..like my cousins French Roomate says, (insert French accent);  “This a thing you must do in the life”.
      The trail was not long, with all the stops and even the 1.6 mile hike back to the car after the Visitors Center and Lodge was fast.  The elevation gain was only 500 feet.  The Lodge had an awesome history along with a short film on the Park.  Go to see it, I can’t spoil that!  Or is it I don’t remember?  Nawww, kidding.  There was also lodge furniture; and ALL tables and chairs; were made from only two very large Myrtlewood trees……beautiful.  
     After the hike the Christopher decided there was plenty of time to go to town and get what was foremost on his goal list…..shoes!  The prior weekend I had them we looked for shoes and he was undecided, so they were not bought.  I told him next weekend.  Let me tell you, that was probably why he was eager to see me the next weekend.   He had a one track mind.   When I asked where they wanted to go for dinner, we talked about food and he asked innocently, “Does it come with a side of shoes?”.
      Apparently, The Olive Garden is a treat for them, as quick texting to brag was done.   It was a good dinner.
     So now our mission was shoes.  I would not leave the city without them; call it bribery but you weren’t with him after the failure the previous weekend.  The nearby Outlet Mall had what we wanted for $25.00 less than a shoe store!  Score on the Nikes!!
      We had two nights in the lodge and were easily allowed a late checkout.   What’s a weekend without sleeping in?  An insistent child did not want to shower again; like two ‘Whole’ days in a row and tried to convince me he sometimes skipped a day!  The older brother called his Mom for confirmation and I was instantly gratified with the “Everyday”, answer I wanted.  Poor little one, foiled by the cell phone, he obediently was off to shower.  So yes, there is cell service at Silver Falls!  
      We had an awesome weekend and I officially called it the “Waterfall and Shoes Weekend.”  Please don’t tell him.         

For State Park Info:
http://www.silverfallsstatepark.com 
503-873-8681 #31 for info
800-551-6949 #31 for info
800-452-5687 for reservations

Info for   Conference Center:
http://www.silverfallsconference.com
866-575-8875