Slot Canyons

Two months later...

The first three pictures are of a slot canyon along the Calcite Mine trail.  A little trail off to the side took us through this canyon.  The guidebook instructed us to stop when we came to a small wall, but a few adventurous souls decided to continue further while the others relaxed and enjoyed some cookies.

the one below is upstream from the small wall just before the canyon widened - and became less interesting.
While walking through the canyon, I was reminded of a trip to Wisconsin Dells many years ago when I was but a wee lad.  On a Duck Tour, my family and I got off to visit a canyon called "Fat Man's Misery" (or something like that.  Perhaps "Fat Man's Nightmare.")  I don't remember just how wide that was, but I don't think a large person would be very happy in some parts of these canyons.
the one below was explored on our last full day in Anza-Borrego.  I'm not sure the name of the trail - it's not important - but it was very popular with both hikers and off-roaders.  Before we entered the canyon, we encountered some mean looking VW Beetles ready for some serious rock climbing.  The people attending the vehicles were nice enough but a little perplexed as to why we would be hiking when we could be in an ORV.  I had a similar question for them and the beer.
I hope you enjoyed this journey down  - actually up - the slot canyons visited this year.  I have some more pictures that I will put up; those will show that I didn't go on this trip by myself.

Silver Falls State Park

I love waterfalls.  I love Silver Falls State Park.  It is located about 45 minutes east of Salem and feels like it is in the middle of nowhere - at least until it is over run by visitors in the spring and summer.  Last weekend was very nice and there were very few people on the trail - relatively.

These two are of the same fall - Lower North - from different sides of the stream.  The trail goes behind the fall where you get a little shower and hear the thud of the water on the rock just below.  The picture below seems a little hazy because there is a lot of mist thrown up in the air.  I was about 200 yards away from the falls when I took this shot and had a hard time keeping the lens from fogging up and getting some moisture on it.  It's hard to be me sometimes!
So these waterfalls are not included in the count for the Trail of Ten Falls, but they are still nice and I enjoy them.  Sometimes the smaller ones are nice as well.
I was not far off the trail here (in fact I could have used the bridge over this little stream as a foot rest) and many people passed by without noticing me.  How do I know?  I scared them when I said hello.  Entertainment for all.
Hope you enjoyed the falls.  Stay tuned for more pictures from the desert.