Rainforest

There’s something almost mythical about waterfalls. The thundering cascade, the mist hanging like a curtain, the sunlight sparking rainbows – it’s nature’s IMAX masterpiece. And for us shutterbugs with boots for ballet shoes and cameras slung like trusty sidekicks, capturing this drama becomes a siren song we can’t resist.

The jungle trail unfurls like a green python, whispering secrets in the humid air. Sunlight filters through a canopy denser than a dragon’s hoard, each leaf a jewel dripping emerald light. Every now and then, a rogue raindrop smacks my cheek, a playful reminder of the rainforest’s mischievous spirit. But my focus is unwavering, fueled by the distant roar that echoes through the foliage – the roar of a hidden waterfall.

The path steepens, a tangle of roots and slippery rocks testing my resolve. My trusty boots, scarred veterans of countless treks, grip the earth with determined groans. There’s sweat, there’s muttered grumbles (okay, maybe a few choice words about the particularly stubborn patch of mud), and yes, there’s a moment of full-blown “hiker-pouting” when a particularly treacherous vine sends me sprawling.

But then, the sound swells, crescendoing into a symphony of crashing water. My heart quickens, not just from the exertion, but from the thrill of the approaching spectacle. And then, I’m there.

Emerging from the emerald embrace of the jungle, the world opens up to reveal a breathtaking tableau. A waterfall, a liquid silver serpent, dances down moss-covered cliffs, its thunderous roar shaking the very air. Sunlight paints rainbows across the mist, ephemeral jewels glittering against the emerald backdrop. It’s a scene so exquisite, so raw, that my breath catches in my throat.

This is why I trek. This moment, this perfect confluence of nature’s power and beauty, captured forever in a single click.

As I set up my tripod, carefully choosing the angle, a sense of serenity washes over me. The struggle, the minor mishaps, they fade away, leaving only the quiet satisfaction of the journey and the joy of anticipation. It’s a metaphor for life, isn’t it? The challenges, the stumbles, the moments of doubt – they’re all part of the path that leads us to these breathtaking moments, these waterfalls of the soul.

The memory card, now brimming with liquid poetry, tucks safely into my backpack. On the return journey, my steps are lighter, my gaze drawn upwards to the vibrant canopy. My mind wanders, already plotting the next adventure, the next hidden waterfall waiting to be unveiled. Because once you’ve tasted the spray of nature’s drama, once you’ve chased rainbows across misty cliffs, there’s no turning back. The call of the wild, the song of the waterfalls, it echoes forever in the trekker’s soul.

So, fellow adventurers, lace up your boots, polish your lenses, and let’s chase those rainbows together. May our trails be muddy, our views breathtaking, and our lenses forever hungry for nature’s grand, glittering spectacles.

Remember, the waterfall may seem distant, the climb may seem daunting, but trust me, the view from the top is worth every drop of sweat, every muttered curse, every epic case of “hiker-pouting.” So grab your camera, your compass, and your adventurous spirit, and let’s chase those waterfalls!

On this day in history:

2024: Rainforest – Exploring Waterfalls and Jungle Trails – There’s something almost mythical about waterfalls. The thundering cascade, the mist hanging like a curtain, the sunlight sparking rainbows – it’s nature’s IMAX masterpiece. And for us shutterbugs with boots for ballet shoes and cameras slung like trusty sidekicks, capturing this drama becomes a siren song we can’t resist. The jungle trail unfurls like a…

2017: Between – Balancing Adventure and Work – Our winter life involves fat biking and skiing to cabins. In the summer bike packing and other interesting stuff. But not always. In between we have to work. Self sponsored adventure requires an income. So we do mundane bullshit work in between the weekends. I wonder though… I wonder. What if we quit those…

2012: So done with driving – Reflecting on the Time and Cost of Commuting – If you think about it, commuting is the biggest waste of time in a human life. If you travel to and from your job for 1 hour a day, that is like 250 hours of driving. 250 hours of not only wasted time to live but it costs you as well in the pocket book…

2008: Snow Biking – Exploring Snowy Trails – Check out the map! Finally got out on an official ride. Only got to the end of the Kim Williams Trail because beyond that the recent rains have made a crust that when broken through in snow over a foot deep was hard to pedal through. This bike would be a hoot on snowmobile trails…

2005: Back From Squaw, Week in Review – Tech Troubleshooting and Adventures – Mom’s computer was last week’s big project. She sent me her computer and I diagnosed it as having a bad CPU fan. It was making a huge racket because the bearings went out due to dirt and dust clogging the heat sink. Well, that is my diagnosis. I ordered her a new fan, heat sink, and a CD burner…

2004: Mount Mansfield This Weekend – Solo Snowshoeing Adventure – This weekend I plan to do a summit on Saturday morning on Mount Mansfield. Marcy will probably stay home and I’ll go solo. I plan to snowshoe the long trail to the Chin and then back to the car. In an emergency, I’ll try to use the Taft Lodge. UPDATE: I did make it…

2003: Natures Primary Colors – Musings on Nature and Beliefs – I have a few comments on nature’s primary colors. We each have the freedom to define, and understand, our world around us – as we choose. That means we should not bring our natural affiliation into our human groups. It means that we do not try to impose our beliefs, or our understanding of the…

2001: Went Skate Skiing Anyway – Rainy Day Skiing – Today it is raining, but I went skate skiing anyway. I have homework up to my neck so I’m booked up today with that and as always updating my school pages.