Adventures with John in his Red Ford Truck

I never expected to love again after my husband passed away. Then John came into my life. This is one of our adventures in his red ford truck.

We head out Hwy 12, where green trees grow and yellow bushes dot the hillsides. I ask John what they are and he replies "Scotch Broom". "What a cool name," I think. "Sounds like an English countryside name." John can identify all the trees and flowers of the Pacific Northwest. I ask how he acquired his knowledge. “Growing up in the area, but also learning it in boy scouts.” Wow, that was decades ago, yet he remembers. Among the Scotch Broom, I see Foxglove rising up in shades of pink and purple, reminding me of walks in the Alaskan wilderness when I was a girl.

 

We turn onto Forest Service Road 25 and drive into the wilderness to take a back route to Mt. Saint Helen's. I see clusters of Big Leaf Maple leaves pointing down, like little umbrellas. “I will nick name these trees umbrella trees,” I proclaim. Long Hemlock fingers, with pale green tips, hang from drooping green branches. “This would be a good place to film a spooky movie,” I remark.

 

A sign warns us that the road ahead is closed due to snow “What’s a little snow?” We keep going. Eventually, the road is covered in deep slushy snow. We must turn back. It’s a narrow road, with drop offs on each side. “I put my trust in your driving ability,” I tell John. He is an exceptional driver and in a few maneuvers, he gets us turned around, heading toward Randle instead of Mt. Saint Helen's.

 

“There’s a pull off at some kind of trail head,” John tells me. “I’ve always wanted to stop there and see what it is.” When we passed it a while ago, the parking area was full, but this time, we pull in. We climb out of the truck and see a couple returning to their car with their two young children and their black lab. “Can two old people hike this trail?” John asks jokingly. The man replies, “Yes, the trail is good. It gets a little muddy after a while. Then it gets steeper and you can climb down to the river and see the falls.” We head down the trail which is made easier with wood steps and come down to the end. We decide not to make the hike farther down to the river, but we have a great view of Iron Creek Falls. We take a few photos. Then we head back. It’s been one of many great adventures in John’s red ford truck

Reviews

[Melinda McQueen]

I like this tale from your life. I can tell that you like to write about special events/memories. It's a great wealth capture memories and hold them tight.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you Melinda. Yes, I do like to write about special events and memories.

[Samuel Dickens]

This is such a lovely, inspiring tale that I began to fear it might go bad after John got you out in the boonies. Whew! Just ol' jaded me, I guess, thinking such things. So... that which was long dormant rises again and produces beautiful blossoms. Now, that's uplifting.
It was so long ago, but I was stationed in that area for a while. (NAS Whidbey Island) On a clear day, I could see both Mount Rainier and the cascades. So cool and green with outstanding fishing, it's one of my favorite places on earth. Your drive with John is understandably a fond memory.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you for your review Samuel. That's funny what you said about your fear that things would go bad. John and I love to go on nature drives. I'll have other stories to add. I'm glad it brought up good memories for you. The Pacific NW is a beautiful place.

[Samuel Dickens]

You post them and I'll read.

[Shelley Warner]

Thank you, I think I'll post a third one this morning.