Return to Elk Creek

by Maria Theresa Maggi on February 3, 2013

Elk Creek Falls, northern Idaho, upper falls

Today I’d like to share with you the occasion of the “About Me” photo on my blog, which was taken last Summer. It is one of the most significant and joyous “little victories over MS” I have experienced since I began eating this way. Telling this story is part of celebrating my five year anniversary of eating as a fat free vegan, which began in February of 2008.

For all my deliberate slow thinking about what to say and how to say it, the force of my life seems also to be moved along by instantaneous events and the decisions that arise from them. Or they seem instantaneous. Actually I think they wait at the depth, like water below bedrock, until there is an opportunity to rise and surface, bubble up. One of those opportunities came on a weekend last August while my son Mike and his girlfriend Kelly were visiting.

On that Saturday morning, we began tossing around plans for the day as we sat around the table after enjoying our Esselstyn style “big bowls.”

"big bowl" of oats, kasha, blackberries, homemade almond milk and apricot fruit spread

Low Fat Whole Food Vegan Breakfast of Champions:
oats, kasha, blackberries, homemade almond milk and apricot fruit spread

Mike and Kelly had been taking day trips to water all summer and were planning a drive out to Elk Creek Falls. It was hot.  Mike’s car has no AC.  But he had surprised me with a gift of cooling cloths and a cooling vest, so I could ride in the car. I had opened these the night before and was surprised at how light and helpful they were. So I was sitting at the table listening to them deliberate. Now I can’t remember what I said, but whatever it was, Mike responded with, “Do you want to come?” The way he asked it revealed an eagerness for me to come intertwined with his years of knowing something like this was not doable, and having to live with the reasons why. Also surprise that he may have detected that I wanted to, and hope that I might. I heard myself say, “Yes!!” And realized that I had been saying “ask me, ask me,“ to myself because I had the feeling I might be able to pull it off,  but I didn’t want to butt in. I said something to that effect. “Oh no, “ they both said, “We’d love to have you come.” And thus the return to Elk Creek began.

It’s been almost two decades since I’ve been there. It’s about 49 miles east of where I live,  just west of the town of Elk River, where the rolling hills of the Palouse give way to  mountains and forest. Beautiful country. There are three falls: upper, middle, and lower. The round trip is about 3 miles on a dirt trail in forest It’s an easy hike by backpacking standards, but it isn’t level. Some of it is steep, and twists in switchback down the slope to the falls.

(It’s called Elk Creek on the internet and the signs, but around here people call it Elk River, too. So I may interchange the names as I write.)

Elk Creek Falls was the first scenic place Mike and I went to visit in our first month in Idaho. Mike was none too happy with me for hauling him up to the boonies and away from his life in California, so I wanted to show him something he’d really like here. But we didn’t see it that day. When we got to the parking turnout we were met by a state ranger that told us the falls were closed. A teenager had slipped and fell, hit his head on a rock and drowned. They were searching the water for his body. It turned out this boy was the close friend of the son of one of my new colleagues at the university. I ended up attending the memorial service, which was so large it was held in the junior high school gymnasium, and then the burial. So one of my first introductions to our new town was seeing people gather together in memory, love, and mourning. It was a powerful threshold to witness, and to feel. I later wrote a poem about it. I haven’t sent it out for publication, but it did find its way to the friends of Jacob, the boy who died, and I’m told they put it on his grave. So Elk River Falls lives in me on that level as well.

Mike and I must have gone back to actually see it, but my memory of that is dim. I do know the following summer while he was back in California visiting his Dad, I brought two of my visiting friends from California out to it. At none of these times did any of us venture down to the creek bed or near the water. We looked from the benches, leaned on the rails at the overlook. That’s all.

Years later when Mike himself was in high school, I remember a summer day he went out there with two friends. They brought the dogs and I packed a picnic lunch for them. We had no clue what fat free vegan eating was in those days, but we were pretty much vegetarian, and I made them “eggless” tofu salad sandwiches. Mike says he still remembers those sandwiches. I knew the boys, and probably the dogs, would go in the water, but I also knew somehow they would be safe. I remember our golden retriever Tinne was stiff for a day, and slept like a log after having the time of her life on the trail and in the water with the boys and Molly, the other dog that went.

I had also never been there in very hot weather. The summer I took my friends up back in 1993 it was cool, and we wore flannel shirts. This time, it would be above 90. In the car I wore a cooling cloth on my neck, and later one over my legs when they were directly in the sun. The ride went smoothly. I had no motion sickness, nausea  or vertigo. I did have that strange feeling I get when I’m actually leaving the very small orbit I live in most of the time. (Sort of a cross between Christmas morning and floating in a pool on an air mattress.) When we got to the turnout where the hike begins, the cooling vest was still wet but had evaporated to the point to be light enough for me to walk in. It was hot and I knew I needed it. In a few minutes I didn’t notice the small amount of extra weight I carried by wearing it.

I’d packed a “taco” salad for myself. We had apples, grapes, and potato salad. And of course water. The dogs took big drinks before we started out on the trail.

on the trail at Elk Creek Falls Idaho

First we hiked to the middle falls. The overlook there was in the sun and it was very dusty. This alone would have set my face aflame before I began my fat free vegan lifestyle but after years of  dietary refinements to help address the problem I only felt the most remote tinge of irritation. The way down to the water was a tiny foot trail winding down a very steep hillside of dry grass. It was so steep you couldn’t see the creek itself, just the falls. I sat there with Romeo and ate while Mike went down the hill to find the water, and Kelly stayed with their dog, who loves the trail and the people, but is nervous about the water. Some very hot tired hikers appeared from up that steep hill. Kelly asked them about accessibility at the upper falls and one of them explained in detail what the trail down to it was like, and that the access to the water was much easier there. She went ahead with their dog, Lucy, to scout the way we should go.

At the point before I pulled out my lunch, I was tired, on the edge of that feeling I call “shattered glass,” and wondering if I could keep going. I knew I had to eat and stop moving around kicking up the dust, so that’s what I did. Romeo rested at my feet, and I ate about half my salad, filled with black beans, veggies, kale, cabbage, sweet potatoes and torn up corn tortillas. Then I felt restored and ready to keep going, even though it was almost my usual nap time.

The switchback trail down the slope to the upper falls where the best and most accessible swimming is was steep for me at times, and my legs were tired, especially the muscles in the front of my thighs, but I had Mike’s hand (and smile) helping me up or down, as needed, and Romeo at my side. Kelly was behind me, so I was covered front and back. And a sense of adventure was definitely buoying me along (and, I imagine, all manner of nature spirits, guardian angels, you name it).  As we made our way down the slope toward the creek and the upper falls, the air cooled off and became more moist, which in itself was a wonderful boon. At the overlook there were two long benches on the dirt platform cut into the slope and a flat space for the dogs to rest and drink more water.

We sat and had our picnic, and enjoyed the view. Only a few people were down in or near the water.  Romeo ate beans and pieces of tortilla and sweet potato out of my salad. The kids had “Tings” (Vegan junk food) and the dogs loved those too.

Then it was time to get down the embankment, something I had never done so many years ago, though I had wondered what it would be like to. It’s a short embankment, soft packed dirt, tree roots, a small rock here and there, but quite steep. It’s actually under the water earlier in the year, when the creek runs high with snowmelt, or certainly can be. I had seen it that way once, which I remembered as I looked at it. Beyond this soft dirt embankment is a small dirt beach which becomes a relatively flat rock platform, another portion of exposed creek bed. I decided when I saw it not to worry about how to get down it until it was exactly time to try. When that time came, Mike took my hand, and Romeo was next to me, but when it got so steep, I just sat down, Mike still holding my hand, and scooted the last few feet until I was on the dirt and flat rocks at the edge of the creek bed. I couldn’t believe I was there. I sat down on the flat rocks right at the edge of the water, and put my feet in. I could feel the creek moving over my feet, welcoming me. No more watching and wishing. I was there, feeling the movement of the water rushing over the rocks.

The kids went swimming beyond the extended rock platform, in the pool in front of the falls. Then they climbed up above the falls and went swimming in a pool above there. While they were gone I just sat there, with my legs in the creek, the water rushing over them, resting, and enjoying the restorative movement of the water around my legs.  A kind of natural baptism. And healing.  And an end to mandatory watching and wishing, or waiting at home.  I now have a new choice.

It’s unlikely after the drive out, the hike in, and that steep descent I could have taken another step. But I didn’t need to. I had hiked that trail to get here, during my usual nap time, to sit with the creek and to feel its life swirling around me, through me, in me. It was perfect to sit there. My joy was complete.

Romeo and me, creek bed, upper falls,  Elk Creek Falls, Idaho

 

Elk Creek Falls, Idaho

Maria (moonwatcher)

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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Robin February 4, 2013 at 8:42 am

I’ve been feeling pretty darn happy about the big change I made in my diet three months ago. The impetus to go on a fully whole food, plant-based diet was based on elevated cholesterol levels, and the subsequent (convincing) learning I gained from reading “…Preventing and Revearsing Heart Disease” and “The China Study”, as well as viewing “Forks over Knives”. Three months ago, my ‘bad cholesterol” was in the high risk zone: 5.15 (for my American friends, that’s 204) and now it is 2.59 (103.6). My overall cholesterol went from 7.1 – 4.37 (284-174.8). I did it – without medication – just a simple choice and I feel great!!!!! I want to thank family and friends for supporting me along the way, and especially to my amazing husband, who loves to take care of me and has been a cheerleader for my health, all along this journey (to the point, he’s now a starchivore too!!!). It is amazing how much impact the choice of food one consumes can change one’s heath and well being.

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2 moonwatcher February 4, 2013 at 12:42 pm

I am very happy for you, too, Robin! Thanks for reading and for sharing your own success.

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3 Jacqueline Barthel February 4, 2013 at 10:14 am

Thank you for sharing. You are an inspiration. Water is so healing and so are your words!

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4 moonwatcher February 4, 2013 at 12:42 pm

Thanks so much for these kind words, Jaqueline!

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5 Chuck February 4, 2013 at 11:32 am

Hi Maria,

I just finished this essay and what a delight it is! I just wanted to thank you for writing so easily and warmly, and for sharing your continuingly successful journey.

Chuck in Bellevue, WA

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6 moonwatcher February 4, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Thanks for your kind words, too, Chuck!

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7 Sandra Lee February 4, 2013 at 9:03 pm

What an inspiration you are! Thank you!

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8 moonwatcher February 5, 2013 at 4:44 pm

You’re welcome, Sandra! My pleasure.

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9 carollynne kelly February 5, 2013 at 3:33 pm

Hi!! this story is a very inspirational one to me. I loved how your sons was so supportive and wanted you to do this with him and his girlfriend. So cool!! My oldest son has helped me hike on the Appalachian Trail again, something I never thought was going to happen, esp after my ankle and knee surgery. I need to go slower and use 2 hiking sticks, but I have done it now 3 times, up steep paths etc. Oh, the exhilaration is so wonderful.
I loved your pictures of the stream.

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10 moonwatcher February 5, 2013 at 4:46 pm

Hi carollynne! Thank you so much. I really enjoyed hearing some about your hiking victory too. I bet the Appalachian trail is beautiful. And yes, the exhiliaration is wonderful.

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11 angela February 6, 2013 at 4:33 am

What a lovely story Maria. I’m just sooo happy for you….the photos are gorgeous especially the one where you are sitting by the water. Just wonderful and joyful : )
My 39 year old daughter has been housebound for many years with severe FMS/ME. You give me so much hope Maria. Thank you.
Love Angela X

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12 moonwatcher February 6, 2013 at 1:39 pm

Thank you so much, angela, for sharing these lovely thoughts. I will hold a hopeful thought for your daughter, too.

xo

Maria

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13 AmyLu February 6, 2013 at 8:41 am

Maria,

The ideas you explore, and the ways you do so, do something special.

Check out the first definition of “po” in this Wikipedia entry: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Po_(lateral_thinking)

This is what your writings tend to do for me. Thank you!

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14 moonwatcher February 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm

Thanks so much, AmyLu–I really enjoyed reading about “po”–and how my writing works in this way with your own thoughts. Very cool!!

Maria

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15 Nicole O'Shea February 14, 2013 at 6:55 pm

AmyLu – this po concept is spot on! Thanks for sharing it!

~

Nicole

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16 Cheryl February 6, 2013 at 11:59 am

Maria,

Another beautiful post. Your life inspires me. I know just what you mean about that weird feeling when you leave your small orbit. And I got chills when I read, “No more watching and wishing. I was there, feeling the movement of the water rushing over the rocks.”

I can just imagine the victory. There’s a favorite creek I hope to visit again one day. I’m also committed to radical nutrition in the hopes of a slow-motion, plant-based miracle. I sometimes say the name of your blog just to remind myself. Knowing you’re succeeding is worth millions to me.

Keep writing, Maria.

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17 moonwatcher February 6, 2013 at 1:43 pm

Hi Cheryl–thank you so much for this beautiful comment. You brought tears to my eyes, the good kind. I promise to keep writing. And you keep on withe your commitment to healthy plant-based food. I see you visiting your favorite creek, too, when the time is right. xo

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18 Nicole O'Shea February 14, 2013 at 6:54 pm

Inspiring and beautiful as always:-)

Love the pictures of Elk creek and the happy hikers, too!

I am with AmyLu on your writings and “po”, too.

<3

Nicole

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19 moonwatcher February 15, 2013 at 12:35 pm

Thanks so much, Nicole. I always appreciate your feedback. So cool to know you learned about a new concept of “po” and that my writing was a bridge for that.

xo

Maria

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20 Vickey April 20, 2013 at 6:56 pm

Maria, that was lovely, thank you. I’m so touched by your son’s thoughtfulness and tender support – and inspired by how much you have overcome. What a perfect way and place to celebrate your returning health.

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21 moonwatcher April 20, 2013 at 7:00 pm

Welcome, Vickey, and thank you for this lovely comment. I am lucky to have the son I have, and yes it was a perfect day on many levels.

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