It is rainy and gray today and supposed to get cold toward the end of the week
but yesterday ....
Yesterday was glorious.
The beautiful weather caused us to reconsider our informal "we stay home on weekends" mantra. This time of year, it would be a shame to waste a blue sky day cooking and cleaning (or to be completely honest, doing nothing useful whatsoever.) And we knew it would rain again soon. So with no particular destination in mind, we drove out into the country northwest of Eugene. Through open farm country bordered in the distance by green hills and then over some woodsy back roads, and we found ourselves heading toward one of our favorite places, Alsea Falls.
Just a little unnamed waterfall.
We didn't stop because there were lots of cars in the parking lot (the reason we don't usually go out on weekends ever and especially nowadays). But we found a little waterfall not too far away - - and no people. A little waterfall and a little tiny bit of a walk.
A little further on, we passed several miles of a not-so-lovely scene:
Pictures taken January 23. 2021
I think they must mean they planted the sign! There was no sign of anything else at all having being planted on this clearcut. Or maybe they're coming back and the sign was put up in advance. It's certainly very early in the year to have had time to plant acres and acres of trees. (Not a fan of clear-cutting.)
We'll find out when the weather gets warmer, because we plan to spend more time in this area then. There were lots of interesting backroads to explore and if we come mid-week, we should even be able to walk into the big Falls.
Below is Alsea Falls taken in August a couple of years ago. It will be interesting to see how much water there is earlier in the season.
Alsea Falls, August 2019
I'm thankful that we were able to get out and enjoy the sunshine and know how lucky we are to be able to do that at the end of January. And I'm grateful that we live where we can enjoy such beautiful scenery on a day trip.
Thankful also to the hosts of the following sharing opportunities where I'm linking this week. And for everyone who visits.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SIGNS SIGNS; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and FRIDAY BLISS;
wasting a day on cooking and chores, what a waste of a day!! but, we all do it sometimes...right now there are far too many days for that!! you are so lucky to have gotten out, i enjoy my walks in the snow!! the waterfall from 2019 is gorgeous, it is so good and helpful to get outdoors and breathe in the fresh air!!!
Posted by: Debbie | February 13, 2021 at 08:15 AM
The beauty of waterfalls is that they are always different no matter how often you visit!
Have a great week!
Wren xx
Posted by: Little Wandering Wren | February 06, 2021 at 10:17 PM
It's good you have been able to still get outside in the fresh air and explore, loving the photos of what life is like there.
Posted by: Amy Franks | February 04, 2021 at 10:03 PM
Alsea Falls are beautiful! The clear cutting is always sad to see
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | February 03, 2021 at 12:54 AM
The clear cutting breaks my heart...Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Banks | January 31, 2021 at 11:56 AM
That was a wonderful trip Sallie and thank you for taking us along. Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | January 30, 2021 at 05:33 PM
While we would like to get out and walk around as we did a couple of weeks ago, now the winter weather has turned bitterly cold, so the only outside trips are in the car and lately only to the grocery store. TOo bad about that clearcut area and hopefully the sign does mean a future replanting will take place.
Posted by: Beatrice | January 29, 2021 at 04:00 PM
Greetings and Salutations from Illinois! We have a cabin in Wisconsin. Logging goes on up there a lot; but trees are planted and in a few years it looks okay again. I am happy that you were able to get out and about. I did that today too. I went on errands and decided to drive to Lake Michigan and see if the lake had made mountains of snow. It had. Chicagoland is pretty flat but not in the winter time. LOL! When I learn to get photos out of Iphone into my new Windows Ten computer I'll show you what it looks like. Right now those photos are in my Iphone. I could do it when I had XP. I'm on a learning curve right now. Take care.
Posted by: JM Illinois U.S.A. | January 29, 2021 at 03:20 PM
Always wonderful to be out and about in the sunshine. Gorgeous nature shots.
Posted by: Hazel | January 29, 2021 at 04:17 AM
Beautiful waterfalls! It is wonderful that the spring is approaching - the sun & blue skies give us hope. Warm greetings.
Posted by: riitta k | January 28, 2021 at 11:43 PM
alot of cutting down trees and logging gets done here too but to be honest I think that there should be regeneration and planting being done to replace what they take.
Posted by: Amy Franks | January 28, 2021 at 10:58 PM
Beautiful waterfalls! Stay safe.
Posted by: Linda Walcroft | January 28, 2021 at 09:12 PM
Our winter day has snow with it. I really love the composition of first large shot of the waterfall. It feels so good to get out here too.
Posted by: colleen Looseleaf | January 28, 2021 at 06:04 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Jim, Sydney, Australia | January 28, 2021 at 02:56 PM
I love them all, especially the last one.
Posted by: Vicki | January 28, 2021 at 01:49 PM
Oh what a delightful ride you had found that little fall ~ sweet photos too!
Moment by moment,
A ShutterBut Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | January 28, 2021 at 01:06 PM
You truly are fortunate to live in an area with such beauty. Love the waterfalls. Getting out on a blue-sky day is a great idea, and your photos are beautiful!
Posted by: Peter B. | January 28, 2021 at 12:11 PM
Beautiful photos. I love being able to get out and enjoy nature.
Sue
Posted by: Suzan Batz | January 28, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Splendid waterfalls. We saw quite a few charming cascades in Costa Rica. The superman was a plastic toy we found on the beach by the way.
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | January 28, 2021 at 11:21 AM
Thank you for sharing your January day and visit into beautiful country. Great photos of Alsea Falls.
Posted by: John's Island | January 28, 2021 at 05:47 AM
Such a lovely day out and great archived photos, too! The weather is always so unpredictable, even with 'expert' opinions!
It's so great to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
Posted by: My Corner of the World | January 27, 2021 at 10:45 PM
Beautiful blue skies, green hills, and waterfalls. A wonderful drive and places to walk bd enjoy nature.
We had some snow yesterday but only a few inches--it has mostly melted already!
Posted by: Pat | January 27, 2021 at 08:55 PM
Oh, its definitely important to enjoy glorious weather when it greets you. Waterfalls are a favourite thing of mine, and I love the photos you've shared of these.
Posted by: Jade @ Captured by Jade | January 27, 2021 at 11:24 AM
I found out that the plantations of forest on our steeply sloping hills overlooking the dales were deliberately planted to stop landslips during heavy rain, something I didn't realise. There's a campaign going on this year encouraging individuals to take part in a scheme to plant a tree. I'm glad you found an area with a waterfall that's less visited than other known beauty spots. It's good to get and and about when you can.
Posted by: Linda P | January 27, 2021 at 07:53 AM
I like waterfalls. The day here is rainy and gray too. Nice and cool. Beautiful landscape.
Posted by: Nancy Chan | January 26, 2021 at 10:41 PM
Always great to get out to see the beautiful country side.
So nice that you had a break in the weather.
Enjoy the week.
Posted by: Dixie | January 26, 2021 at 06:57 PM
Nice photos!
Posted by: Jeanne S | January 26, 2021 at 04:57 PM
Very nice waterfalls, hope that land recover the beating it took...It's amazing how fast mother nature can recover if she is given the chance. Have a great week.
Posted by: Sondra | January 26, 2021 at 03:07 PM
Those skies look very inviting. With grey skies, rain and a cold breeze it's doesn't have the same call where I am.
Posted by: Fun60 | January 26, 2021 at 11:07 AM
I'm really hankering for a drive, Sallie, but we'll wait until spring when weather and tourists don't deter us so much. Glad you could enjoy some blue sky and moving water. All is under the deep freeze here.
Posted by: Barb | January 26, 2021 at 09:59 AM
The waterfalls are beautiful, Sallie!
How wonderful to be outdoors with Mother Nature!
Posted by: Veronica Lee | January 26, 2021 at 09:40 AM
I believe Pennsylvania is getting an Oregon winter this year. It's gray and chilly almost every day, but little snow. Hubby and I went for a run today and got caught in the rain! I appreciated your blue sky photos. Alsea Falls are beautiful! I can understand why it is a popular place. Not a fan of clearcutting either!
Posted by: Laurie | January 26, 2021 at 09:37 AM
blue skies are not to be missed ;-). nice outing.
Posted by: klara | January 26, 2021 at 09:22 AM
Oh yes - we definitely have to make the most of blue skies! Lovely shots. I really like the falls.
Posted by: Lady Fi | January 25, 2021 at 11:53 PM
Time outdoors is precious given the situation. I try to make sure that we do a little outside once a week. Take care.
Posted by: Photo Cache | January 25, 2021 at 07:41 PM
There is nothing like getting out on a nice sunny day and seeing things. I do it myself here in town but stay away from businesses and people in general.
Clear cutting is really ugly. My Dad was a forest ranger and he would talk about the older days when logging was considered more of a thinning of a healthy forest thing rather than just a version of farming. They gave the foresters seven marbles, 6 white and 1 black and they would go from tree to tree and and pull a marble out of the pocket and the ones that pulled black got tagged for cutting.
Posted by: Alan Bates | January 25, 2021 at 06:19 PM
The waterfalls are lovely.
Posted by: William Kendall | January 25, 2021 at 05:20 PM
I'm imagining the sound of the waterfall, Sallie. It's been a couple of years since I've seen one. Maybe three. Anyway I certainly like imagining I'm at Alsea Falls. Cheers!
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | January 25, 2021 at 02:06 PM
Yippee for sunshine and being able to get out and enjoy it. Those falls are so pretty! Happy last week of January to you.
Posted by: ellen b. | January 25, 2021 at 01:51 PM
We kind of have an obsession with waterfalls, always taking a photo when we find one but I would swap scenery with you in a second.
Posted by: Amy Franks | January 25, 2021 at 01:03 PM
LOL I think the sign was to spur them into action maybe.
Posted by: Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade | January 25, 2021 at 10:02 AM
Sallie, It is good to get into nature. Love the waterfall!
Have a good week. Sylvia D.
Posted by: Sylvia D. | January 25, 2021 at 09:41 AM
I like this waterfall. And it's an amzing serie of pictures
Posted by: kwarkito | January 25, 2021 at 09:32 AM
Absolutely have to take in a sunny day during OR winter. All lovely except the clear-cut.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 25, 2021 at 09:06 AM
Nice rhat you are enjoying your outdoors.
Happt Monday
I am at #14 on the linky today
Muchđź’–love
Posted by: Gillena Cox | January 25, 2021 at 06:56 AM
Yes, we can be very glad being alive, have such nature to walk.
Thank you for sharing this part of your nature around. It's really a treasure.
Happy MosaicMonday
Posted by: Heidrun | January 25, 2021 at 05:52 AM
my only travels have been to 2 stores - love the waterfall and the bare logged area is sad. Hope they do re-plant.
Posted by: Carol | January 25, 2021 at 04:13 AM
Oh how very beautiful your photos are. I especially like the waterfalls!! Have a grand week!!!
Posted by: Cathy Keller | January 25, 2021 at 03:10 AM
Hello Sallie
It is good to get outdoor while the weather is nice. The waterfalls is beautiful. Hubby and I try to avoid the crowds but the weather does not always cooperate. I am not a fan of clear cutting, it looks awful. Take care, enjoy your day and happy new week ahead!
Posted by: EileeninMD | January 25, 2021 at 02:43 AM
Sallie - yes, a pretty day should never be wasted. I agree with you about clear-cutting ... logging is quite common around here, but the logging companies are very careful to leave enough pines/other plants to re-generate and to keep the ground from landslides ... Thanks for sharing your outing with Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | January 24, 2021 at 08:24 PM
I am so glad you were able to get out and about on a nice day yesterday! Being here in Florida my whole life, I have no clue about clear-cutting, but from the looks of it I'm sure I wouldn't be a fan either. Great photos! I hope you have a nice week ahead Sallie :)
Posted by: Martha | January 24, 2021 at 06:06 PM