Description
In the late afternoon, Christmas Valley takes on an almost Tolkeinesque atmosphere. Mystery permeates the forest, in the long shadows and warm slanting light beams that illuminate old trees and rocks. The river is slow at this time of day, the rush of the day is over. Bubbles and ripples appear in the pools next to the riverbank. Slender reflections wiggle on the surface, painting dreamlike visions of what lies above and beneath the surface. Chipmunks and squirrels make their final journeys of the day, birds quieten. Rumors of beavers and bears whisper in the rustle of pines.