____________
There’s a large Barnes and Noble located on Interstate 15 between Ogden and Salt Lake City. I drove by it frequently when I lived in Utah. Well, not exactly by it. Whatever vehicle I was driving, as if programmed, always took the turn leading into the bookstore’s parking lot.
Gypsy Lee, my RV, does the same thing these days for waterfalls. In fact, it will even detour many miles for a view of falling water.
OK! I admit it. I’m the vehicle programmer. The four-wheels moving my dog, Maggie, and I along only go where I tell them to go. But rarely do they pass up an opportunity to let me walk the aisles of a bookstore – Back of Beyond Books in Moab, Utah, is one of my favorites – or gaze at the tinkling splash of falling water, be it the thunderous Niagara Falls or the less noisy Firehole Falls in Yellowstone National Park.
While books open up the world of reality and imagination to our minds, waterfalls unfold one’s soul to magic. While logic tells us it’s simply water falling from someplace above, it appears to be so much more. I see waterfalls as Mother Nature showing off, the equivalent of a rainbow in the sky.
More importantly, a waterfall’s symphony of water pinging off rocks and into a pool below never fails to calm my spirit. You should envy me if a waterfall’s wonder doesn’t touch you in a similar way, too.
Now here’s 10 of my favorite waterfalls to add to your bucket list.
Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho.
Multnomah Falls, Highway 84, 30 minutes from Portland, Oregon.
Yellowstone Falls, Firehole Falls and Lewis Falls, Yellowstone Falls National Park, Wyoming
Niagara Falls, New York/Canada
Gorman Falls, Colorado Bend State Park, Texas
Upper Emerald Pools’ waterfalls, Zion National Park, Utah
St. Mary’s Falls, Glacier National Park, Montana
Natural Falls, Natural Falls State Park, Oklahoma
Bridal Veil Falls, Provo Canyon, Utah
Bridal Veil Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
There is something magic about waterfalls, isn’t there, Pat? I’ve not seen any big ones “in person,” but I can’t forget a small one not too far from where I live. It’s off bounds now due to careless folks trashing the area. How sad that makes me. It’s on a creek that apparently empties into the Lampasas river somewhere beyond where we discoverd the waterfall. It’s only about 10-12 feet high and drops from a limestone table into a rock-lined pool about twenty feet around. Swimming there was my first and only experience of skinny dipping. Cool, clear water, birds chirping in the trees all around and clear blue sky overhead. Yes, waterfalls are magic, even small ones. Sam
Thanks for the comments Sam. My favorite small one is in Zion National Park, which is accessed by an unauthorized trail that only the locals know. I discovered it way back in the 1960s, but they park service did some blasting to make it less accessible. It emptied into a series of pools used by nude bathers. I once came upon a couple once with my then 10-year-old grandson in tow.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
Waterfalls are very good! Especially small waterfalls! Even if I just go to the local park, the little stream’s waterfalls charm me.
Hi Pat, love your blog! I also write about travel, post everyday. Also love books, am a book publicist and run a book club. Still looking for a buddy? Check me out http://insidejourneys.com.
Pat, lovely photo and posting. I’ve only been to Niagara Falls, so I’m envious of your list. Did you know that Niagara falls was once dry. There was an article in a local paper with photos of the dry look, I found it interesting. Listening to the waterfalls are so much like a symphony like you said. They do touch me in a similar way….
Wow! Multnomah Falls looks amazing! Standing under a waterfall is on my bucket list, but I am still searching for the perfect one. Any suggestions?
I stood under one, whose name I can’t recall, at the end of a hike when I rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. I sat behind one, and ate my lunch, that was located up Deer Creek Canyon on the same trip. I have photos of both, but not digital. I’ll try to find them and scan them in for a blog one of these days. Multnomah was great — and no hiking required to see it. If you’re ever near Portland, you’ll have to drop by. There’s also several, including Firehole Falls, in Yellowstone that you could probably get under.
I stood under a waterfall once! In Minnesota, near Lake Superior–well, not exactly under it. I didn’t get totally wet.
Another wonderful post, Pat. 🙂
There is something about waterfalls. Even the smallest has the ability to refresh and recharge me.
Niagara Falls is one of my favorites. I also like Yosemite Falls, and some of the smaller ones found here in Ohio.
I love water falls, my favorite is Watkins Glen State Park in NY. I grew up in the Ithaca Area in Upstate NY and we are lucky to have a lot of water falls.
Those are a couple of gorgeous pictures. I remember when I first saw Niagara Falls. Wow!
I definitely want to experience one of these. I do believe it would have the same effect on me. All natural wonders do this to me. I just stop…and breathe.
Thanks so much for sharing this list and the pics along with it. We are so blessed when we can stand in the presence of something so natural and so perfect just the way it is and was created.
Let’s think of ourselves as waterfall moths. How do we not stop to look and listen. And let us also admit that the urge to jump in is also always there. Unlike the moths we read the warning signs. Good post.
Nice reminder here. Thanks! Multnomah Falls really is awesome and one of my faves as well. Congrats on being freshly pressed!
One of my favorite waterfalls is High Falls, in downtown Rochester, NY, if for no other reason than the location is so odd. You travel downtown and duck down some side streets and all of a sudden, there they are, in all their glory. Apparently, years ago the falls were actually hidden by all of the roads, buildings and general industrial downtown stuff.
Some random trivia: If you’ve ever heard of Sam Patch (the man, not Andrew Jackson’s horse), he died jumping off of High Falls. In the early 1800s he was a famous falls jumper. It was especially interesting that he died at High Falls, since he survived two jumps off of Niagara.
Waterfalls, large or small, there is just something about them. Congrats on being FP!
Hooray! I’ve seen 4 out of 10 of these. I better slow down my bucket list.
I just added a waterfall post to my blog. Coincidence?
You can find my favorite waterfall here.
love your post, Pat; especially the concept of a waterfall as ‘nature showing off’ like in a rainbow. you might enjoy my very short poem — my most published —- about a rainbow. I’d love to hear what you think about it, [if you decide to, click on ‘my poetry’ — it’s the last poem down.
I love waterfalls. Unfortunatly, I don’t have the ability to travel much, but if I ever do I’ll look a few of these up. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful post. You make blog reading fun.
Loved the post. If you ever find yourself overseas and on the African continent, more specifically, Zambia, you must see Victoria falls! go anytime January-May. May is when they’re the biggest from flooding. Check it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tylercarlson/5396622949/in/set-72157625928141228/
Is that your flikr? Did you go there? If so, I am very jealous. Victoria Falls is number one on my waterfall bucket list. I want wade in the ‘devil’s pool’ – as frightening as that may be (for me at least).
And now I want to take a road trip and go camping. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Igauzu Falls, Argentina
I highly recommend!
Water is so rejuvenating! There’s one more to the list: Ruby Falls. It is a waterfall in an underground cave!
I’ve only seen 2 of the waterfalls on your list but would love to see them all! I went to Niagara Falls on my honeymoon back in the mid 80’s and absolutely LOVED it! I definitely want to go back some day. Have also visited Yellowstone National Park and enjoyed the falls there as well. Thanks for an excellent post!
I love waterfalls, I’ve only been to one in Jordan. The Hot Waterfall of Hammamet Ma’in. Here is a link for pictures of it http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6536700
❤
Great list, I hope to nail one of them.
Waterfalls are wonderful — the Multnomah Fall is fabulous – as are the waterfalls along the drive to get there! One of my favorites is the Upper Falls of Yellowstone Canyon — could sit there all day and listen to the water. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
I now live only an hour and a half from Niagara Falls, but must say they were the single biggest sight-seeing dissappointment I ever experienced. Yes, there is water, and lots of it, but more than anything you’re struck by mankind’s bad taste around the falls.
A much more striking experience than that, I had at Foz de iguazu (Brazil/Argentina).
Niagara Falls Wonderful
I visited Niagara Falls in 2006, and just stood there open-mouthed. Couldn´t believe what I was seeing.
Then I realised I had traveled to a faraway place and hadn´t seen Iguazú Falls which is much nearer my country. I went there in 2009, and got speechless.
If I had the chance, I would return to both places over and over again. Meanwhile, I listen to Enya´s waterfall sounds, and from time to time I watch my recorded videos.
Your posts are worth reading!
Multnomah Falls is gorgeous 🙂 I loved being in the Northwest.
I think a must see waterfall are the waterfalls at Havasupai in the Grand Canyon – though it does require a considerable amount of hiking (20 miles). The waterfalls are absolutely beautiful against the desert scenery!
I’ve visited the first 3 on your list…I agree, there is something magical about falling water and I continually go out of my way to see them too! My boyfriend and I live in Portland so we venture to Multnomah Falls and the surrounding area often. There are a lot of beautiful waterfalls around the Columbia Gorge area (see my post below). I’m adding the rest of your recommendations to my list but the next one on my list is Snoqualmie Falls in Washington.
I love waterfalls so much 🙂
But, do you visit Iguazú Falls at Argentina ?
I grew up in the Portland, Oregon area and I have always felt so lucky that wherever I was, Multnomah falls was only 45 minutes away, max. I’m now living in Kosovo in Europe for a year, and I can’t wait to get back to all the bodies of gorgeous water in the Pacific Northwest. Water is good for my soul and apparently to yours too! Thanks for sharing!
Love you photo of Niagara Falls. My home town, haven’t been back in over three years, I miss the rush. Thanks for sharing.
Nice, I know we have a few very spectacular falls hear in Australia that I’ve been wanting to see for ages… including the only horizontal waterfall in the world!
This tempts me to go to Canada aswell however!
i love niagara. it just makes you feel so small
get in touch with me tinkerbelle please, i have a few questions! thanks B.
Lovely post – water in any shape or form is inspiring! In SA we are blessed with many but widely scattered – my favourite is Augrabies, congrats on FP 🙂
[…] Waterfalls: Add these 10 to your Bucket List (via Pat Bean’s blog ) Filed under: Uncategorized by newbunny — Leave a comment March 9, 2011 What's your favorite waterfall? ____________ “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as … Read More […]
Hello this site is wonderfull and the photos and articles you have written to waterfalls are spectacular and calmiing to shame we dont have many in uk but iam kevin and wish to compliment you on your blog and ia so jealous in a nice way wish i could get to america and canada and see those lovely parks and wildnerness to so beautiful it looks keep up the blog its lovely.
I was born in Niagara Falls, so I’ve always had an affinity for falling water. I have since moved to the Arctic where there are many named waterfalls, but in flatter topography, pale in comparison to Niagara. I have yet to visit the fiords on the northeast coast of Baffin Island though, where there are tremendous cliffs and vertical faces, and surely some beautiful opportunities to view waterfalls. Thanks for sharing some simple beauty…
check these falls in Brazil, they are spectacular. I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks
Waterfalls are beautiful to watch. There is a nice park in Spokane, Washington that has a pretty cool waterful. I’ve been there a few times with my mom.
Cool article. I love waterfalls. Multnomah Falls looks breathtaking !!!
The top three waterfalls I have seen is
1: Iguasu, Argentina
2: Dudhsagar falls, India
3: Vettis waterfalls, Norway
I am planning to go and see Murchison Falls in Uganda this summer, it is also supposed to be great !
I love waterfalls too! I just did a slide show of the Elwha river in Washington state about to let the dam go.
When I met my fiance and we were both in college and he was 10 years older than me and he came to my apartment and he told me that he wanted to make love to me by a waterfall that he had been to in Colorado I thought that he and I could go camping there some day. We never did. I would still like to. I have never been there and that is still my favorite waterfall.
Awesome Post! I love waterfalls and would love to add those mentioned to my bucket list! The photo is amazing and wants me to experience the rush of water myself. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
I love this scene!
My husband and I started making it our goal when we were dating to visit all of the waterfalls in South Carolina, I think we have gotten through half of them, but it is going to be a bit harder now that we are both about to be living in Arizona.
My favorite waterfall adventure was when we made hiked about an hour down and snow began to fall just as we reached our destination. The waterfall was beautiful but unfortunately I do not remember the name because they all have started to blend together. However, each time I visit a new one I am in awe of God’s power of His creation.
Thanks for the list, this will give us some new places to visit while we are out west. My husband is a park ranger so we were planning to visit some of these places already and possibly work at some of them too! I have been to Yellowstone Falls and Bridal Veil in Utah – they were both spectacular!
Hi!
My favourite water fall is the Niagara Fall.
The sound of water falls make me calm down and relax. It’s amazing.
Ha! When I spotted your blog title, I surfed on in because in a post about waterfalls, I felt it was appropriate to add Shoshone Falls, Idaho in the comments section. I am startled and pleased that you beat me to it!
I to love water falls. They are so spectacular and majestic. You should defiantly check out the water falls in Yosemite National Park in California. My favorite is Bridal Veil Falls. It is a short hike to the bridge to view the falls but the most spectacular part is taking the mist trail to the top of the falls. If you go in the spring you will be drenched by the time you reach the top. Stairs were blasted with dynamite out of the rock and you climb along side the falls until you reach the top. From there you can then keep climbing until you reach Nevada Falls which is also very spectacular.
Great post! Have you been to Angel Falls in Venezuela? Humbling to see.
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
“While books open up the world of reality and imagination to our minds, waterfalls unfold one’s soul to magic.”
What a true statement!! I’ve never failed to be taken by the beauty of a waterfall. I’ve visited a few, and I would love to see many more in the future. They really are amazing, and it’d be a shame to miss out on something like that in your life.
Oh! Multnomah Falls! That’s in my home state – and I love it! I never ever ever get tired of even just passing by. (You can see it from the highway). However, I will never forget the day I hiked up to the top.
Definitely belongs on the bucket list.
Grats on being Freshly Pressed!
Montmorency Falls just outside Quebec City is clearly worth a look.
One must walk across this steel walkway across the fall and walk down to the base of the fall – and then take the cable car back to the top of the falls. Its surely worth the bucket list.
I’d love to visit Multnomah Falls! Looks beautiful.
Great story and pictures. I am an independent travel agent who just started blogging and am looking for followers! Thanks for the support.
Well, I’ve been to Gorman Falls. Only 9 more to go. I love waterfalls!
I have seen Niagra Falls, and it is beautiful, but my favorite is Tahquamenon Falls in Northern Michigan. Of course, I live in Mich., so I am partial, but the upper and lower falls are very distinct and beautiful. The lower falls shoot over huge boulders left by the glaciers and twist and turn around in all directions to get downstream. They fall in many levels on their journey. The upper falls are a wide river crashing over rust colored iron ore rocks that make the water turn yellow and rust. They are so loud, you can’t hear anything but the voice of God!
I Lovely post – water in any shape or form is inspiring! In SA we are blessed with many but widely scattered
i want go to place!
Gorgeous! I’m moving to Costa Rica later this year and can’t wait to see so many more beautiful waterfalls.
Of your list I have only ben to Niagra. I remember it well and look forward to a time when I can see the others.
I’ve visited five of these, some more than once. I would add Athabasca Falls in Jasper and Snoqualmie Falls in Washington.
Wow! these gotta be some of the best waterfalls around. I grew up in a village mostly my whole life so I really never saw any waterfalls, maybe one. It was a very small one not to big. How many falls have you been to in your life? Mother nature is so beautiful and amazing. People have close relationships with these falls. Thanks for the list of water falls.
[…] Waterfalls: Add these 10 to your Bucket List « Pat Bean’s blog. […]
i’d like to fall from waterfalls
Cant wait to see some new waterfalls! just spectacular!
-Brad (http://www.kingtute.com.au)
Hi Pat,lovely photo and posting, love your blog! : – )
Yay! Waterfalls! Love them, and love finding secret, hidden ones that people don’t know about. Also obviously love the huge, spectacular ones too!
Nice work with the John Muir quote – very true
Congratulations on being freshly pressed.
Nice read, nice pictures. Although, a picture never does anything it’s real justice.
Hm, yes, a few of these on my bucketlist! Can’t say I’ve visited many, so far. But I am still young!
Yes, I totally agree…love waterfalls…so beautiful & relaxing. I even enjoy watching the water come down a stream or a little one in a goldfish pond. I touched on this a little in a post just a little while back.
I live in Portland and must agree about Multnomah Falls. Beautiful, especially in the spring months when the waterflow is heavy (it’s pretty low flow in the summer and such).
I love waterfalls so much. I strongly recommend Clearwater, BC, Canada. There is a provincial park with several waterfalls, and my husband and I have seen each of them. Some require a hike, but they are often the most beautiful.
Some day I’ve love to see the Iguazu Falls in Argentina.
I have another one to add to your list…Taughannock Falls near Ithaca, NY which is a New York state park. 215 foot drop which is taller than Niagara Falls.
http://stphoto.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/view-95-falling-water/
Waterfalls are nice!!
If you like waterfalls and scenic vistas, then you should check these out http://macguffinandpuffin.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/397/. Theyre pictures of scenic overviews built by the Norwegian highway dept/tourism board and theyre the most amazing things Ive ever seen, ever. The one leaning out over the fjord is my favorite.