Episode 31: The Scenic Waterfall Trail Hike — 5,000 Core English Words

📖 This lesson is part of the comprehensive series 5,000 Common English Words Through 46 Real-Life Conversations by Echo Stories English.

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Chapter thirty-one. The waterfall.

It is noon. They have been driving for four hours, and the road has begun to rise. Along the highway, Emma sees a small brown sign: "Eagle Falls, scenic trail, one kilometer." Ryan wants to keep going. Emma wants to stop. You know who wins.

Listen to how they ask a ranger about the trail, describe what they see in nature, and ask a stranger to take a photograph.

Emma: Ryan, look! A waterfall. Can we stop?

Ryan: We're making such good time. If we stop now, we'll arrive after dark.

Emma: It's fifteen minutes. We've been in this car since seven. My legs have the shape of the seat.

Ryan: Fifteen minutes there, fifteen back, plus the time you spend drawing. That's an hour.

Emma: Actually, it's the best excuse for lunch. I packed a picnic. Boiled eggs, bread from the bakery, creamy cheese, and tomatoes, all in one container.

Ryan: You're using food against me. That's not necessarily fair.

Emma: It's very effective, though.

Ryan: It is. Okay. We stop. But I'm setting a timer.

Emma: You and your timers. Take the next exit.

The parking lot is almost deserted. There are two other cars, a wooden hut, and a ranger in a green uniform.

Ranger: Afternoon, folks. Welcome to Eagle Falls.

Emma: Hi! Is the trail open today?

Ranger: It is. We had a storm two nights ago, so parts of the path are rough and there's some mud, but it's safe.

Ryan: How long is the walk?

Ranger: To the main falls, about fifteen minutes each way. If you continue to the upper pool, add another twenty.

Ryan: Is it difficult? I have a bad knee.

Ranger: The first part is flat and easy. After the bridge it's steeper, with some steps cut into the rock. Take it slowly and you'll be fine. I wouldn't call it a challenge.

Emma: Is there anything we should know?

Ranger: A few things. Stay on the path. The rocks near the water are wet, and they're more dangerous than they look. Please don't feed the wildlife. And take all your packaging and garbage back with you.

Emma: Of course. Are there any bears around?

Ranger: Not usually at this time of day. You'll chiefly see birds, and maybe a frog or two by the stream. If you're lucky, a deer. There's a female with a young one that comes down to drink.

Ryan: And if we're unlucky?

Ranger: Then you'll see a rat by the picnic tables. They're not polite, but they're harmless.

Emma: Do we need to pay to park?

Ranger: It's free. There's a box by the hut, if you'd like to make a charitable gift. It all goes to protect the trail.

Ryan: We will. Thank you very much.

Ranger: Enjoy it. The light is terrific right now.

Emma: Smell that. Wet grass, and earth, and something sweet.

Ryan: It's quiet. I can hear the stream, but I can't see it.

Emma: It's behind those bushes. Look at this path. Somebody laid these stones by hand, a long time ago.

Ryan: Careful. There's a patch of mud. Take my hand.

Emma: Look up. Do you see that? A web between two branches, with drops of water on it. It's shining like gold.

Ryan: That's gorgeous. And technical. How does a creature that small build something that perfect?

Emma: They're more intelligent than we think. Oh! Something moved. There, in the hollow of that tree.

Ryan: Is it wild? Is it a rat?

Emma: It's a small bird, Ryan. With a red head. A male, I think. The males have the color.

Ryan: I don't have your eyes. Everything is a rat to me until somebody tells me otherwise.

Emma: Listen. The sound is getting bigger.

Ryan: Is that the waterfall? It sounds like a train.

Emma: Come on. Around this corner. Close your eyes.

Ryan: On wet rocks? No.

Emma: Then open them. Look.

The path ends at a wooden fence. In front of them, a wide white river of water falls from the top of a cliff, strikes the rocks below, and rises again as a cloud.

Ryan: Oh. Okay. That's spectacular.

Emma: I told you.

Ryan: It's so loud. I can feel it in my chest. The water just pours and pours. Where does it all come from?

Emma: From the snow on the peaks. It melts all spring and summer. This is the season when it's strongest.

Ryan: And behind it? Is that a cave?

Emma: I think so. A rock formation. The water has been cutting it for thousands of years.

Ryan: I've seen pictures of places like this. It's not comparable. A picture has no impact. This is extreme.

Emma: Despite your timer?

Ryan: I've forgotten the timer. Let it disappear. Nobody will report its disappearance.

Emma: We need a photograph. Both of us, with the falls behind.

Ryan: My arm isn't long enough.

Emma: Ask that man. He looks kind.

Ryan: Excuse me. I'm sorry to bother you. Would you mind taking a picture of us?

Stranger: Not at all. I'd be happy to. Where should I stand?

Ryan: Right here is fine. Just press the white button.

Stranger: Do you want the whole waterfall in it, or just the two of you?

Emma: The whole thing, if you can.

Stranger: Okay. Move a little to your left. A bit closer together. Perfect. One, two, three. Let me take one more, just in case. The flash went off.

Ryan: Thank you so much. Would you like us to take one of you?

Stranger: That's kind, but no. I come here monthly. I'm a native of this valley. I must have a thousand pictures of that water.

Emma: You're lucky. Does it ever get ugly? Is it ever a bad day here?

Stranger: Never. Even in an awful winter, with ice on everything. I had a long illness some years ago. A financial mess, too, as a consequence. During my recovery, I walked here every morning. I say it gave me my life back.

Emma: I believe you.

Stranger: Take your time. And go to the upper pool, if your legs allow it. Virtually nobody goes up there. It's the best part.

Ryan: We will. Thank you again.

Ryan: This is the best egg I've ever eaten.

Emma: It's the planet's most ordinary egg. You're just hungry, and happy.

Ryan: That's a significant combination. I've had the advantage of a good cook and a good view.

Emma: Do you know what I love? There's no domination here. Nothing is in charge. The water goes down, the birds go up, and nobody asks them to hurry.

Ryan: It has a certain humour, too. I spent a stressful year fixing software, and a river has been running here with no bugs for a million years.

Emma: That's your cue to change jobs.

Ryan: Legally, I can't. I have a contract and a dog.

Emma: Kid. I'm joking. I love what you do. I just like the manner in which you forget it here.

Ryan: Give me your hand. It's cold.

Emma: I forgot my gloves. And don't let the sun burn your neck. The wool ones. They're in the car.

Ryan: Take mine. Is there a chance we could go to the upper pool?

Emma: You want to walk more? You?

Ryan: Don't make it a big thing. I'd like to see what nobody sees. I can defeat twenty minutes of steps.

Emma: This is recognition of everything I've ever said about nature. I'll cover the food, and we'll go. By the way, the beneficial part is free.

Ryan: Which part?

Emma: The part where you stop counting. Look at the sky. The moon is already up, in the daytime. And we're on a fixed schedule of nothing. Even the dirt on your boots looks good.

Ryan: Camping next year, then. And a tank of hot coffee. The bird migration, the whole thing. I may even hold a frog in the palm of my hand.

Emma: Let's not go that far. I saw you with the spider.

That is the end of chapter thirty-one. A brown sign, a short walk, and a waterfall that made Ryan forget his timer.

Keep these with you: "Is the trail open?" "How long is the walk?" "Is it difficult?" "Would you mind taking a picture of us?" "Would you like us to take one of you?"

In the next chapter, they arrive at the hotel at last, tired and happy, and check in.

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