Free lavender

Carmen Diversion Reservoir

I went to see the beaver lodge. Just headed up Hwy 126 saying out loud, “where’s my beavers at?” The tip-off was reading the insert in my utility bill. They showed a map, one section said Behold the Beavers. I was hooked. So I drove up the highway reading signs, no GPS, just maps.

The Beaver Lodge of Beaver Marsh- notice the rooted foundation!

Here is more info.

I stopped at the ranger station to get a couple free maps. I looked at Smokey the Bear merch. The rangers helped direct me to make the right turns.

Butterflies flitted between cars on the highway. There were a ton of them and I thought of that bumper sticker, “I break for butterflies.”

One sign on the way was for free lavender. I liked how it sounded. I didn’t stop. I have lavender in my yard. Maybe I should make free lavender signs? I would not use spray paint for lettering as they did.

Anyway, the point of today was to see the beaver lodge, commune with the McKenzie river watershed, and paddle around in Smith Reservoir. There are underground tunnels where the water moves around. It travels above and below. It blasts out of two pipes under the road into the next reservoir.

I think this is water coming from Carmen Diversion Reservoir

I pulled up to shore to eat the sandwich I made for lunch. I sat with rocks and flowers and sticks.

The river gives us water to drink and also makes power. I am amazed by rivers.

After the lodge expedition I walked by the McKenzie river

Later I walked along the river on the Blue Pool trail. There must have been 200 or so people in the area for this hike.

Little side pool of river

For the beaver lodge, there was no one. There was me and an osprey. The beavers were not active. It was very quiet. The parking area has brand new solid picnic benches and immaculate pit toilets.

What I noticed about the lodge was how much structure was underneath the surface. Above the water is impressive enough and looking through the clear water, I was especially impressed with the underwater formation of the anchoring of their home.

To the left is a dam, out of frame, but you can see their lodge out farther

I found a dam they made too. The whole scene looked idyllic, a place for them to build up water, have enough to eat, make more beavers. The utility company had signage explaining the benefits brought about by beavers living here.

Meanwhile, juxtaposed in this natural network was a phone booth above the river and off the gravel road toward Blue Pool.

It reminded me of a sci-fi or time-travel story prop, the portal or message center with another dimension. I didn’t go in it.

It was a pretty day, hot, but not too hot. A perfect day to behold beavers, to see their beautiful living arrangement, and relationship to a watershed that feels sacred.

Whenever I go into the water to paddle I put my fingers in the water and touch my forehead and hair with the water. It’s like a quick baptism, anointment, acquainting with the water, the whole body. At first it’s just a little, but then I usually end up splashing my whole face and head. It feels so good.

I ran my bathwater tonight and looked at the water filling up the tub and thought, I know you. I’ve seen where you’ve come from.

This is where I was, at the You Are Here, then west at Smith Reservoir

The next morning, I caught cold water with my hands, lifting it into my face under the sink faucet and immediately connected with the day before, knee deep in the reservoir cupping and splashing my face, tossing it into my hair.