Over a year ago on a hike to Emory Creek Falls I lost my wedding band! Since then, I have been trying to make it back to the falls to see if there was any chance of finding it! I knew an area where I slid down a hill and that was the most likely place it might be! I tried 3 times this winter to get to the falls, but due to the rain and flooding at the time, I was forced to turn back each time! This time, the water was very low and my journey began! I made it across the many creek crossing with little problem and after a 3 mile hike I made it to the falls! I took a break and ate lunch, then headed further up the trail about a mile to an upper falls. This was the area I slid down to the falls holding a limb that I believe pulled my wedding band off! I went down the hill again, this time with rope and a walking stick to balance! When I got to the bottom, I took out my shovel and scrapped several areas, but no luck! I stared at the pool at the bottom of the falls and some part of me expected a Lord of the Rings moment! I thought maybe it would be shinning in the bottom of that pool! No such luck! I spent about an hour looking around, then climbed back out! I said a final farewell to my ring and then I headed back down the mountain! I did not really feel defeated because truly I did not expect to find the ring! I did feel like I had finally completed my quest to return and look for the ring! Also, I had a beautiful 7 mile hike. I swam in the pool at the falls. I saw a really cool water snake and played with him for a while. I enjoyed the falls all to myself, which for these falls is rare, and I had a great day! One if the coolest things was when I was soaking my feet, I felt something tickling my ankles and looked down and there were dozens of little minnows nibbling me! It tickled, but they stuck around even when I moved! I watched them for about 15 minutes! I saw 2 hawks flying through the trees and one landed almost directly above my head! All in all, a great day! I missed my sweetie, Phyllis, but hiking alone gives time to think and reflect and it is a different experience! It always makes me a little more alert because if a bear shows up, I really have to out run IT! No bears though! I also spent an hour picking up trash, but I’ll tell that story in another post!
