Succor Creek
I am back in Eugene now.
I woke up in Caldwell, with that feeling one gets knowing their travels are in the twilight phase. But also eager to make the most of the day, although I felt it wouldn’t top yesterday and discovering the Grand Canyon.
Back in Oregon, there is a state park called Succor Creek. We wanted to do something close to Caldwell, to minimize driving time, back to Boise. State Park evokes images of a big maintained lawn and lots of kids and families running around, at least in my urban mind. Although when we arrived, I realized in Malheur County, state park means, extremely scenic area in a remote region with very little services (an outhouse).
At some point, we stopped and asked someone for directions. He gave us the usual country directions “go up around the bend and turn left and over the hill and turn right and when you pass the sheep farm, turn again, and you know you are on the right road.” After a few go arounds, we were on the right road (sometimes the maps don’t line up with reality!). It was another drive where the rolling hills gave way to more dramatic mountains and canyons and in this case, caves. We found a spot to park, and it was close to where I had just spotted a Bassett hound, and wanted to say hello. Wilson the basset was the friendly type and happy to give a perfect stranger slobbery kisses. I was happy to receive them.
Wilson the Basset Hound
There are no trails to speak of at the park, although when you look up the mountains, we could see something resembling a footpath here and there. We picked one, just above the campground and proceeded up. It was a hike half the way up, and scrambling the second half up. The hike part was over the lower part of the mountain, covered in thistle and this led to a conversation about invasive plants vs native plants, a common topic of debate between people who all appreciate the earth, and often have strong feelings about how things should be. I have had this conversation many times in my life and probably will many times more. I even one time went to a whole weekend workshop dedicated to this topic. Scrambling is a bit tough, simply too steep to walk and not enough rocks to act as foot holds. We did make it and went into the cave. Being inside these rocks and seeing the colors and patterns close up is incredible. Again, so many shades of earthy tones, and they fit in these interlocking designs and patterns in ways that only Gaia can make. I think painters can be and are inspired by such intricate works of art.
The View from Inside of a Cave at Succor Creek
What a vantage point! We were at a high level and taking in the mountains on the other side of the creek. One of the walls close to us, had large pits in it, and it was where thunder eggs had broken off. Some of the broken thunder eggs were visible on the ground. The close up views of the caves and rocks, juxtaposed with the rocks from afar provide a lot of perspective. Things are different upon closer inspection. One must be close to something to fully appreciate the beauty. To see the world from a different vantage point, we must be willing to risk being uncomfortable – my mantra rang in my head.
Getting Up Close and Personal with Gaia
Getting down was even tougher than getting up. We went from scrambling to scooching, on our butts. It seemed there was nothing to hold on to and trying not to tumble down the hill became our goal. I would look down the hill a ways, and think “It looks like it gets easier over there” and then I’d get to that point, and realize, it was still as difficult! But we made it down (slowly) and went to another location to explore, after having a picnic by the creek.
That’s the Mushroom Rock off to the Right!
This path was not quite as difficult. It too led to a cave, with a most interesting mushroom rock on top. This cave was man made though, as it was a very even carving. Dan noticed in the cave, in a nook, a little bird’s nest. It was hard to see inside, since it was high up, but if you listen closely, you could hear the chirping of the hungry babies. Outside, sitting on the rock, we saw the mama bird with food in her mouth. She was flying about, but perhaps she was scared of us, as she would get near the cave but not go in. We sat quietly, hoping she would enter, and I am sure she did, but after we left. I reached my arms over the nest and took a video of what was inside. And I discovered there were 4 baby birds, each one maybe an inch or so big, with bright yellow beaks wide open – it was simply too precious.
I am a big believer in acknowledging life and all the things I should be grateful for. Dan possesses this quality too. And before we slid back down the mountain, we took a few moments to acknowledge that our Owyhee adventure exceeded our expectations, which were high to begin with. The scenery and fun we had, was even more than we could anticipate. We took an untouristed region and dove in head first to see what gifts it had to offer us. And the gifts were abundant.
Off to Boise we went. A phone call on route, revealed that Whole Foods had a recycling station outside it. Other places I had asked about recycling, people looked at me with an utter look of confusion and just shook their head. I was willing to crush the recycling and bring it back to Eugene, but I was rather happy I didn’t need to go there. I brought a months’ worth of recycling back from SE Asia (which wasn’t all that much, but still), and was so hoping my bag wasn’t searched, needing to explain at customs the empty containers. Traveling makes me keenly aware of how other people view their relationship to resources.
In a few short hours, I was back in Eugene, and my son had waited for me before leaving on his 2 week road trip with his friends to California. Most moms would not be thrilled at their son going on the road without a set destination or plan in mind, but I personally was thrilled. And very grateful.
OWYHEE COUNTRY