Sunday was largely a freeway driving day. We left the Waterfront Inn and soon drove across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Today’s bridge is a replacement for the original span, which became known as Galloping Gertie.
On November 7, 1940, just four months after it opened, the original bridge collapsed due to “aeroelastic torsional flutter” caused by wind moving across the narrow solid girders. While no human lives were lost, a black cocker spaniel named Tubby tragically died after being left behind in a stranded car.
Fortunately, little wind was blowing when we crossed on Galloping Gertie’s replacement span and we had no dog with us.
Surviving the bridge crossing, we made the largely boring drive through Tacoma and down I-5 to Portland and beyond.
Following Subie’s command, we finally escaped the interstate and took off overland…
…and into Silver Falls State Park.
…where we had a small, cabin reserved.
Yes, a small cabin.
Cute and cozy, it did have a nice bathroom, although the shower was tighter than Superman’s phone booth.
After unloading our toys, we headed over to the cafe for a bite.
While dining, we listened to music the staff played on an actual record player. Yes, a record player! [Kids, if you don’t know what a “record player” is, please Google it.]
We had two nights here, and on our layover day, we hiked the Trail of Ten Falls – a pathway that would take us past each of the park’s ten waterfalls.
First came South Falls…
…where the trail passes behind the falls.
That was followed by Lower South Falls…
…and more…
…and more.
The autumn maples along the trail were just as appealing as the falls.
Suffering from the lingering effects of an old football injury, at about the five mile point I decided to cut my hike short and head back to civilization. At the South Falls Lodge, I boosted the Oregon economy by purchasing a delicious, locally produced, pain-mitigating, grain product. I immediately felt better.
While I was attending to my well-being, Macho Woman continued on, ultimately hiking past of all ten of Silver Falls waterfalls. Those LifeVantage activators she promotes must really work well.
After passing her tenth waterfall, Dianne met me at the South Falls Lodge, a large, CCC-built log structure worthy of a national park.
We drove back to our cabin. After showers in our micro-tiny, one person at a time shower stall, we walked over to the cafe for a delicious salad and flatbread dinner. Amazingly, we shot no photos of the food. [You’re welcome.].