Christmas Day had us, spontaneously drive up north about 52 minutes - to the tiny town of Dunsmuir, situated right on the upper Sacramento River. It was cooler than it had been - 51 degrees and overcast!
The only ones on the road were truckers and travelers from Oregon. We did see license plates, from Washington State, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and even Florida!
Drove past the old baseball field where Babe Ruth played baseball in Dunsmuir back in 1924 and Dunsmuir hasn't forgotten it. It was Oct. 22 and 900 fans from all overcame to get a glimpse of baseball's home run king. Ruth, along with Yankees teammate Bob Meusel, was paid $1,000 to play seven innings against the best semi-professional baseball players scattered across Siskiyou County.
All that is left from Ruth's famous game are the bleachers and backstop.
I've seen it many times - I've never been on the field.
Behind the ball field is the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens, which I always enjoy spending time in. It was especially peaceful on Christmas late morning.
Even in winter, there were plants to see - I'll post those for another post.
The cold moist air brought out the fragrance of the Incense Cedar trees that grow abundantly in our area forests, some Oak, and other various evergreen trees.
Hiked down to the river -
River Rafting anyone?
Started our hike down to the Falls -
These are volcanic rocks - probably from the last Mt Shasta eruption.
Meandering down the trail -
More big rock formations - which I love.
Finally at the Falls
Hedge Creek Falls is located on the southernmost tip of a pre-Pleistocene lava flow from Mount Shasta. Thousands of years of erosion, mostly from the freezing and thawing of water trapped in cracks on the basaltic face, have resulted in the sheared appearance at the face of the falls. Although small, Hedge Creek Falls is full of beauty and awe. Its single crest, or lip, is reminiscent of its larger sister, Bridalveil Falls, in Yosemite.
There is a small cave located behind the waterfall, allowing visitors to walk behind the cascading water. On a 100+ degree day, this is like heaven.
The backside of the falls. You would think it was ice cold in that cave but I was surprised how warm it was. A couple were digging for crystals -
We started seeing more people arrive for the hike - everyone passing on the trail, wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Young and old alike. It was nice.
The trail got very thin, and you had to hug a tree, to get around it, to be able to get on the ledge. We trekked down for a different view of the Sacramento River.
I was dangling on the ledge - Don't worry, I had my good hiking boots on, as I was teetering on solid rock so I wasn't afraid of slipping. Anyway, Jesus is our solid rock! And my husband was there to catch me.
It was just this past August when I collapsed from heat exhaustion and was dehydrated. Taken to the hospital by ambulance - I couldn't get up that steep hill, at the Shasta Caverns for the Dinner Cruise - my legs felt like noodles. Thank you, Lord, here I am, 4 months later...I wouldn't attempt this in the heat of the summer. That time in August it was 111 degrees! I've always been a cool-weather hiker. I always sit out the summer hikes or do them very early in the morning.
Doesn't this look prehistoric?
Source: Internet
We sat in that exact booth.
After we got back to the car, we were ready to eat. We went to this little cute retro diner that is open 24/7 just off I-5. We enjoyed a late lunch or very early dinner.
source: Internet
Can't beat that view!
Every booth was taken and people were sitting at the counter. As we sat there, we noticed the cook - who was happy, cracking jokes, singing Christmas carols, and making the most of it. I figure since they are open 24/7 they all know this and agreed to work, even on holidays. Since it was an open kitchen/grill, we had heard him earlier say, to another employee that this job was his "bread and butter" and that he had a young family. I felt a warmth fall over me - I wanted to gift him. I called him over and we thanked him and gave him a good tip. He was kinda shocked. When I was a kid, and if we were out on Christmas, and had to get gas (before self-service) my dad would always give the attendants a nice tip.
I had a delicious patty melt, yummy onion rings, and a chocolate milkshake the old-fashioned way. My husband had the same thing, except he had a vanilla milkshake.
We came home - took a nap and didn't have any dinner - not even leftovers. The portions were huge. Slept like a baby, being out in that beautiful fresh air.
What a gift God gave us, in His son, as well as His creation and I couldn't think of a better way to observe Christmas this year than to be outside in nature.
