Scenic Distractions Part 2

My parents' quest to the secretly famous Umpqua Hot Springs. Five hours by car to southern Oregon. When they finally arrived there was a sign saying the road to the Springs was closed. They drove up to the road, it was closed, they couldn't get through. They were devastated.


They went back to a ranger sign which showed a little dotted line to the Springs--a trail! They could get there on foot. So they set up camp and prepared for Plan B.


They got up early, packed a lunch and headed out into the unknown.


It was precarious and beautiful, like all of life ought to be.


Three miles later they peaked over the ridge to find this: a paradise of six limestone pools cut into the cliffs surrounded by nothing but thick forest, overlooking the rushing Umpqua river. And they had the whole cliff to themselves.


The pools on the top were 109 degrees hot. How is the water up on a cold mountain so hot? The answer is: because of science.


As the pools got lower they got less hot. The ones on the edge of the cliff were a perfect warm bathwater temperature. They say they could have sat there forever. It was a one-with-nature type of experience that people just don't get much and it kind of changed them, for the better.


The wonderful hippies of Oregon had built a deck and a little log roof over the hot hot pool which made you think about how crazy cool it would be to be sitting in their while it was raining or snowing out. Those generous hippies think of everything!


In the Umpqua Hot Springs is where my parents celebrated 7 years of an excellent marriage. What a perfect way to celebrate all the friendship and love between them. It's been a complete success so far and they are looking forward to the next 7 years which they think may be even more exciting and interesting than the first. Keep up the good work, guys! I love you so much.