# along the Deschutes (part 2) - Link: https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/ - Published: 2017-01-15T20:41:00-07:00 - Author: My Walkabout The road heading West was long, unassuming and empty. After a few miles of travel, I pull the car off to the side, strap on my pack, and walk into the wilderness.   I’ve no idea where the trail leads.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/95cb0-ilji4653.jpg?ssl=1) A couple of miles in, I hear the faint sound of rushing water, which I hope to be the mighty [Deschutes river](https://www.rivers.gov/rivers/deschutes.php). I need the life force of this valley to be by my side on my walkabout.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/46ee1-cnum7742.jpg?ssl=1) The waters here go from narrow, rushing rapids at the bottom of a deep canyon gorge to a flooding, wide open plain.   I watch birds nest in the flooded plains, hold my imaginary son’s hand on the canyon’s edge.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/04606-ezle8347.jpg?ssl=1) At mile five or six I measure the amount of drinking water I have left, trying to gauge how far to continue before I must turn back.   My mind starts to play tricks on me out here in the open landscape.   I strap on protection from the unseen dangers that may be lurking around the next bend in the trail.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/b9e0c-ifcs7132.jpg?ssl=1) I find a perch high above the raging water below and get a bite to eat, calming the rampant paranoia that was overwhelming the conscious mind. A paddle boarder slowly comes into view from behind a tree. A dog with his owner are playing fetch with a stick. A man on a mountain bike rides past me in ambiguity.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/4e4a9-prif7749.jpg?ssl=1) I watch the rushing water in slow motion, looking for salmon running upstream, or perhaps the glimpse of a greater truth in the water droplets as they dance in mid- air. I see nothing, which perhaps is everything. I listen to that truth. Can you hear it too?[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/784d0-sqao6108.jpg?ssl=1) The Deschutes river goes from a raving mad rush to a stillness that reflects everything. I come to the edge and look down, deep into the clear and picturesque landscape that is being reflected before me.[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/e1570-img_4879.jpg?ssl=1) I realize that this here, this moment, is all I was wanting, searching for, hoping to find. I feel a smile of contentment form across my tired and weary face….[](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/f721b-midy1160.jpg?ssl=1) and follow the Road home again. ### Share this: * [ Email ](https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20along%20the%20Deschutes%20%28part%202%29&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmywalkabout.net%2Falong-the-deschutes-part-2%2F&share=email) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ WhatsApp ](https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Nextdoor ](https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/?share=nextdoor) * [ Threads ](https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/?share=threads) * [[ * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Reddit ](https://mywalkabout.net/along-the-deschutes-part-2/?share=reddit) ### Like this: Like Loading…