The early morning mist caught the first streaks of sunlight breaking the dawn. All my daydreams of Lothlórien were brought to life before me. 

We met Falcon and Morel in the desert, near Mission Creek. Being West Coast natives they told us stories of all the amazing things to come. Back then, just couple of hundred miles into the trail, we had vowed to “float the river” in Bend together. The time had finally come to see that through. They opened their family home, we shared food, conversation, laughter, a badminton court and of course paddle boards and kayaks.

Oregon was a beautiful State, but for all the volcanoes, lakes and forests my fondest memory is the people. In every town we visited there was a pervasive feeling of friendliness and welcome - none more so than Bend.

I suppose what I'm trying to get across is that even with beauty to match Galadriel’s realm, in Oregon I felt more like a hobbit at old Tom Bombadil’s house.