One of the very first attractions I visited on moving to Seattle was Snoqualmie Falls. Snoqualmie was always a go-to attraction when we had visitors and it remains one of my very favorite places to visit. In the rainy season the entire falls can be a wall of water while in the summer only the center comes thundering down.

Though both Emma and Henry had seen the falls from the above, this was the first time we were going to hike down to the bottom. They were in great spirits the entire half-mile hike down to the river. Henry loved the woods, I think, since the mossy trees reminded him of Endor in Return of the Jedi. (For the curious: Henry is generally Luke, I’m Obi-Wan, Marla is Padme, Emma is Princess Leah and Cora is Yoda.)

Once we arrived at the bottom they were so eager to hop the fence and climb on the rocks. I loved watching them clamor from stone to stone, screaming at the top of their lungs with joy. When they did pause it was to hold their hands out wide, with face tilted up, to feel the mist coming from the base of the falls.

You’ve never seen more pure and simple pleasure.