Dave took a motorcycle trip with a group of guys to the Snoqualmie Falls area last week. He came back astounded by the view and insisted on taking us there. So yesterday, our family drove a short 45 minutes to enjoy the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls. It was a short day trip that our family greatly enjoyed.Some history about the falls...
Several thousand years ago, when the glaciers receded, they left a fertile plain near Snoqualmie Falls. When Native Americans arrived, they found a bounty of edible bulbs, roots and berries on the prairie. Deer and mountain goats were plentiful.
Charles Baker, a civil engineer constructed an underground power plant at the falls in the 1890s that resulted in electricity and jobs. Such large waterfalls often attract daredevils. In 1889, a Mr. Blondin successfully walked a tightrope over the falls. However in In 1890, Charlie Anderson was less fortunate. He parachuted into the canyon from a hot-air balloon, but when he opened the chute a strong air current pushed him toward the falls. As the crowd watched in horror, another gust pulled him in another direction and dropped him on a large boulder; he died that night.
Our day was not so traumatic...
When we arrived at the falls, we went for a peaceful hike on a trail near falls. It was not challenging but the scenery was peaceful. The kids chatted with their parents about funny things. They asked such questions as what were we like when we were babies and how do people live on a farm? It was good bonding for us with the kids.
About an hour into the hike we heard shotguns firing. The echo of the shots were heard over and over. (Yes Gretch it did concern me! I had horrid visuals of stray bullets hitting us!) Dave and I decided to turn around and go back towards the falls. On our way back, on the path were two deer. This fascinated the kids and they attempted to follow them as Native American Indians would do. The mother and doe must have caught on to us and we lost them in the forest.
We got back to the falls and ate brunch at the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge,
famous for their pancakes. I ordered eggs benedicts, the kids shared a Pioneer breakfast with maple sausage, ham, eggs, and biscuit. Dave ordered a short stack.
There is a tradition at the lodge called "honey from heaven." The waiter offers you honey. If you accept, you are to open your biscuit and hold it in the palm of your hand. The waiter then spoons honey from a bowl and holds it very high over his head. He then tips the spoon and lets the honey spill down and
surprisingly he accurately pours the honey on your biscuit. The kids eagerly requested honey after the first show.
After lunch it was time to see the falls. Here is a picture of the family at the viewpoint where you get a side and front view of the waterfall from up above.
We followed a trail down the mountain to the valley.
We took a "shortcut" off the trail that was the most challenging hike we've tackled yet. Needless to say, it was very steep. At the bottom there is a viewing overlook too.
You could actually get closer to the waterfall by climbing over huge glacier boulders. The kids were naturals at this.
I was terrified! I thought I was going to break my neck or sprain my ankle and surely perish by this waterfall!
When we finally got to the waterfall words could not express how amazing it was. We have never been that close to a waterfall. Liza, guess what? This waterfall is more than 100 feet *taller* than Niagara Falls! Of course Niagara is miles wider.
Still, all who come here will be impressed with this waterfall!
At the bottom you witness the power of the waterfall as it rages into the pool below causing a cool mist to hit the air. There was a thunderous sound as the water poured down. You see massive rocks there that you realize have been there for thousands of years.
The kids begged to stay longer when it was time to go.
