Drift Creek Falls

8 years ago Steve and I came across a hike when we were vacationing in Lincoln City. It is a hike that is kind of difficult to find, but so worth the hunt. 4 years ago when we were there, we tried to find it again, but drove forever up the wrong road. We finally gave up.

Before we left home this year, we looked up Drift Creek Falls on the Internet and got directions. There was no way we were going to miss it this time. Even as we were driving to get there we were starting to have doubts. The hike is about 9 miles up a twisty, unpaved road. We thought for sure we had driven to far, but sure enough as we rounded the last bend we found the trail head.

When you grow up in the desert, areas like this seem fake. As far as I'm concerned, places like this only exist in strange movies with characters that have wings or that are small in stature. The colors are unreal as is the smell. The air is so fresh, Thomas kept on saying that it smelled like candy.

Every time you take a step, the ground gives. It felt like we were walking on a giant sponge.

Grandma and Grandpa stayed back at the house with Clara. It is a good thing, I don't think she would have done too well. The hike down was an easy 1.5 miles, but climbing back out of the canyon was a little bit tougher.

Once you hike down, you find this huge suspension bridge over the river. The bridge sits on top of the waterfall that is pictured above. It was so cool. I thought for sure Thomas would be a little scared to walk across, but as soon as he saw it he was so excited to go on the "Diego Bridge." (that's a Go Diego Go reference for those of you without little boys between the ages of 3 and 9).

Thomas got lucky and got to be carried 3/4 of the way up the canyon. Lucky for him he has a very strong Daddy.