Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Rest of the Journey

 
 
Last time I took you along with us as we explored the Carbon River. Now we have left the riverbanks and are heading towards home.
 
We are travelling through the narrow river valley that leads us to our destination.
 
Beautiful homestead farms nestle against steep forested foothills along the way.
 
 
 
A lucky horse grazes in pastoral splendor with a large cozy barn for shelter.
 
Teasel grows in the foreground.
 
In days gone by, Teasel was grown to comb wool. It's bristly seed heads act just like a brush. Now it grows wild and forms a beautiful frame for the landscape.
 
 
All along the way, we see these large barns, once part of thriving farms, but now lying fallow and unused except for a horse or two, or a few sheep. This one seems to be surrounded by a large stock yard.
 
 
This one has a cedar shingle roof and a lovely cupola on top.
 
 
We have been following the river as we go, and here we turn into a little park alongside. This is the same river that we hear on quiet nights, that we can walk to at the bottom of our little mountain.
 
We reside near the headwaters of this river, called South Prairie Creek, where it flows down from the mountains. It travels through the tiny town of South Prairie, where we are now, and where it gets it's name.
 
 
So calm and peaceful when we stopped for our visit.
 
 
But capable of showing it's temper.
 
Here we see an overlook tower with a flood marker along it's base.
 
 
This little creek is wild and untamed.
 
It has also taken out roads and bridges during times of heavy rains.  
 
It is a salmon spawning river and is protected.
 
It flows into the Carbon River, (which we visited in the last post) which flows into the mighty Puyallup, which flows into Puget Sound.
 
 

An old railroad bridge no longer in use, is preserved for pleasurable viewing.
 
Once there were many miles of railroad tracks here, but when the coal industry died out and the coal mines shut down starting in the 1930's, the tracks were unused and by the 1980's were taken up.
 
Now the railroad lines are being converted to hiking trails.
 
 
This particular bridge is the bridge to nowhere, as it ends with a chain link fence, but is beautifully restored with narrow planks and wooden rails hiding the metal structure that surrounds it.
 
There is no fishing here, as it is protected for salmon spawning.
 
 
You can see the riveted metal framework encasing the 'new' wooden covering.
 
 
As we stand on the bridge, we see the parallel roadway bridge with gentle water flowing between. This is a quiet and peaceful family picnic ground, and a lovely spot for summer wading.
 
 
But now the sun is waning and we must be on our way.
 
 
We will leave this place to the owls, the raccoons, and the possums waiting in the trees for us to leave.
 
 
With Mt. Rainier fading away in the twilight, we climb the winding roads to our foothill home once more.
 
 
 
A lovely day to remember.
 
xx


8 comments:

  1. Dearest Karen,
    You did this all on foot? It would be interesting to give an estimate of distance from your home. I found that in 2009 there was quite a flood. Such peaceful little rivers can change into some horror scene.
    Loved seeing the teasel and the beautiful nature surrounding. You are blessed living there. Clean air, no doubt and sure, winter can be tough but having such environment is worth it. Well prepared one can do it.
    Hugs to you and thanks for sharing.
    Mariette

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  2. Dear Mariette, no not on foot! By car, but stopping here and there on our way! A very long distance.....20 miles. Yes, a flood in 2009. Very damaging. Since then a 'flood plan' developed by the county to respond to these events as more homes are being built in this flood plain. Why do they build in these places, I have no idea. People like to build on rivers for the beautiful view forgetting the danger. Thank you for coming along and for your sweet comments. xx

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  3. Karen I really enjoyed both your posts about the river. I could almost hear the river burbling. I love the decorated water tower, and the pumpkins in the field!

    It made me hungry for pumpkin pie. If I want some I will have to make it myself - no coffee shop in Aberdeen will be serving it - and that means I will have to locate some pumpkin puree! I do know a wee shop where I can get it...

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  4. What a lovely trip and so appreciated!! I just love to see where other people live and this seemed such a gentle flowing post (rather like the river is when it's lazily slipping forward....not when it's in a temper!!)
    Thanks for this . Joan

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  5. Karen these were beautiful! And your captions were perfect :)

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  6. Yes - a lovely day, Karen. I was so happy that you shared it with us. <3

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  7. You are surrounded by so much beauty. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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