Nothing ruins a vacation faster than feeling a
rush to get somewhere else
on time, on schedule. We can't stop, can't even pause for a deep breath
when that rush is upon us. Thus our greatest
adventures fall to the way side
and we lose forever the greatest moments of our lives. Lin
Stone.
Going it Alone:The
Waterfall
|
© copyright 2005
by Theresa Gabriel
| I stood at the observation
point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great
Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The
glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right
were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too,
walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at
the displays in the center, just a few feet away.
A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn't official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn't mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn't want to join me. Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones. |
Life Discovery ToursBecause your tour guide is a personal coach, your tour won’t be of a cookie-cutter variety. Your guide won’t lead you through her pre-established itinerary. Instead, she will create an entire experience for you that will be based upon your input and the input from the other participants. This unforgettable experience will include fun outings, time together "around the well," and time and space for yourself in a specially prepared oasis. This is the nourishment you need. 2005
is here! Take
a look at our |
I walked right up to the roaring waterfall,
and even climbed up along side it
a ways on large rocks.
| Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large
cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar
towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack,
enjoying being present in this amazing location -- surrounded by the lake and
flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some
kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from
Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own
adventure.
After an hour of 'hanging around,' I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay. |
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My entire trek took about two hours -- worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I'm glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, 'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.' I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories
About The Author Theresa Gabriel: "Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver's musical challenge for her to "fly." Join her "walking with women" Life Discovery Tours. Learn more about Theresa Gabriel - Women Summit LLC http://www.womensummit.com - Life Discovery Tours, Women's Retreats
The Cities of Alaska * Outdoor Adventures in Alaska * Fishing for Halibut * The Majesty of Alaska * Alaskan Holidays made easy. * Columbia * Flat * Alaska Home * Ketchican * Portage * Prince William * Russian Cemetery * Talkeetha * Mendenhall Falls * King Salmon From Kenai
-- Every national festival is listed, yours invited. * Super Vacation Sites for other states * Alaska Dept of Corrections * Perhaps the best Alaskan wild life illustrations are those from Clark Bronson who has the uncanny ability to walk right up to wild animals and pet them. * Do you know of a picturesque, informative web site that belongs on these pages? Ask for a Link HERE.