MORNING WORSHIP
We got up super early in the morning (3AM) to drive to Cranbrook to visit my sister. On the way of course, we stopped for a waterfall. I can’t believe I talked my mom into getting up that early. Nekoda is like, whatever, she’ll just sleep in the car anyway. She pretty much slept the entire trip from California to Canada.
Priest River Falls is a very gorgeous waterfall (Priest River / Morning Worship – get it? ha ha) way out in the middle of nowhere. I’m not exaggerating about the nowhere part. It is not to be confused with the Priest River Falls in Idaho. Actually, that one is called Upper Priest River Falls even though it’s downstream from this one. Makes perfect sense, right? The two falls are quite close together but you cannot hike from one to the other because you would be crossing the border. I really think there should be a cross border trail between the two waterfalls. That would be super cool. Ah well.
Anyhow, we drove as far as we could and then could drive no further as we came to a river crossing. We had to walk from here, and that meant wading across the river. Nekoda and I went first quickly. I did not have much time to get to the falls before the sun was on it. I really did not think my mother was going to wade across that very cold river so we just left her there. I did leave arrows for her in case she did decide to come.
We arrived at the overlook to the waterfall. It was very nice, but partially obscured. There was a very very steep trail going down to the bottom. I got out my rope, and Nekoda and I started to descend. However, it got too steep and dangerous, and much too slippery because the ground was wet from rain and the tree roots were slick as ice. It was too crazy even for me so I just took photos from the overlook. Nearby, Nekoda discovered the spot where the local cougar likes to eat his breakfast, along with all the leftover bones. She was very confused why they were there until I explained. The explanation did not give her any comfort.
Meanwhile, my mother showed up at the overlook to see the waterfall. She did make it after all, and she did not even notice the lovely arrows I left for her on the ground. Nonetheless she found the falls, though her feet were cold for the rest of the morning from wading across that river. But it was all worth it. It is a very beautiful 58 foot high waterfall, and very rarely seen since it is so far out from civilization.