Alsea Falls- 3 mile hiking 3 year old, Fishing, Lovely forest, and Waterfalls

 This past weekend we went to explore a new area near Corvalles, Alsea Falls.

 We immediately fell in love with the forest and a large "nurse stump".

 There was so much moss and beautiful creek views.

 We headed down for a better view of the waterfall and ended up at a dead end.

 We enjoyed the view of the sweet falls, listening to the rushing water, and soaking in the signs of spring.

 We headed back up to the picnic area and had a snack break since it was almost lunchtime.

 Analise grumbled about the bushwacking back to the main trail.

 Amy took lots of breaks to pose with trees.

 We enjoyed the lush green forest and stream bed.

 We found a few twin trees.

 Analise was very motivated to hike today with the promise of fishing!

 Amy continued to lead the way to waterfalls yet to be explored!

 We kept wandering through the moss covered woods.

 I spotted my first Trillium of the year!!! It made me very happy.

 I loved to look up and admire how the mossy branches intertwine.

 We continued to stay present to the gifts of the forest.

 I found a few wild roses.

 Then Gil said, "I smell skunk". I looked over the embankment and found this...

 Skunk cabbage!

 We found a group campsite to cook lunch and saw this guy.

 The girls enjoyed trying out their new fishing poles and learning to cast while I cooked us lunch.

 There were no fish involved in this fishing that were not plastic weighted fish. I did include some canned salmon in our rice curry lunch.

 Analise was enjoying the mud.

 When lunch was ready they reluctantly set down the fishing poles to eat.

 I convinced everyone to hike a bit farther to Green Creek Falls.

 This was a beautiful and powerful small waterfall.

 Amy said she did not remember being that close to a waterfall before.

 Analise explored an old stump on the way back.

 I found a Trillium Trio!

 Amy found an abandoned snail shell and I found this guy.

Analise ended up hiking a record three miles in pretty good spirits. We gave her high fives and carried the creeks, waterfalls, and mossy forest in our hearts as we headed home.