Webster's Falls

Anyone who knows me well knows that there is not a religious bone in my body. I have never practiced a faith, have never attended a church service, and I do not pray. But those who know me very well know that I could be described as what some people call “spiritual”. I am a firm believer in karma, I believe things happen for a reason, and I have epiphanies often. I derive a great deal of happiness and satisfaction from very simple things, like spending a quiet evening amongst my horses.

Today, I experienced an unexpected epiphany and satisfying experience when I visited Webster’s Falls for a hike and swim with two friends. I had never been to Webster’s Falls, and was told to expect a rocky hike through the creek and some swimming holes. What materialized was like nothing I have experienced before. I found myself cleansed from my own laughter as I stumbled up the creek bed, slipping and sliding on rocks and plunging off ledges into deep holes. The end result for us was not the largely populated waterfall and swimming area that has become a local attraction, but a deserted, far off swimming hole and waterfall only accessible by our hour-plus hike. Diving into the rushing water, I screamed loudly as I splashed with my friends; the sound seemed to clear my own head, leaving nothing to be concerned about except bliss of the moment. Scaling the rocks, I stood for a few moments behind the waterfall before moving directly beneath the crashing flow. The pounding of the water on my head and shoulders and the sound of the deafening rush transported me to my own uncluttered world, if just for a moment.

After making the rocky hike back, we emerged from the ravine and were met with a passing train along our walk back to the car. I have seen many trains, but have never actually walked alongside one as it roared past, with nothing surrounding me but fields and forests. It was a surreal experience, for reasons I’m not even sure of.

A simple decision to take a hike turned an ordinary day into a fairytale. I hope to return to Webster’s Falls many times in the coming months. For more information and photos, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster's_Falls_(Hamilton,_Ontario).