Natural Negative-Ion Therapy Delivery Locations... (AKA) Waterfalls

 Water... water.has a complex relationship with the human, are bodies are comprised of nearly 60% water, we need it, three days without water, you hallucinate and die, too much water and your cells explode and you die. Fall in water that is too cold, your body shuts down and you die, stay in a hot tub for to long you overheat and you die...Despite the danger it can bring water is the life blood of the planet. Water has immense power, whether in the form of a devastating tsunami or just your average raindrop. It has the power to erode through billions of years of bedrock to create such wonders as the Grand Canyon and Columbia River Gorge. It also has the power to revive as it delivers nutrients throughout to the Amazon basin and  floodplains along the Nile. The human being is drawn to water, for life, for work, or for play.  I am a human and my connection to water is not unique, it is in fact quite the opposite, everyone I know would relish the chance to sit by any body of water in a relaxing moment over a dry arid place. Water soothes the spirit, be it the crash of the incoming tide, or the gentle lapping against a boats hull. It moves us to great exploration both on its surface and far far below and to great relaxation along the shores or rivers, lake, ponds, and oceans.  But nowhere are the benefits of water felt more than at some of its most tumultous interactions with the land... Waterfalls

Which brings me to the name of this post Natural Negative-Ion Therapy Delivery Locations. Places where water crashes have been proven to have exceedingly high concentrations of negative-ions, molecules are stripped of electrons as water is thrashed about down a gully or onto coastal rocks. Among the benefits of negative ions on the human body include an increase in the rate at which serotonin and dopamine are oxidized in the bloodstream as well as the interception of microbes and germs in the air, and in many cases a generalized feeling of euphoria.  We have tried to create these ionization devices, but typically they are not effective or are extremely effective and create hazardous O-zone molecules. Personally I'll stick to the natural sources of these charged particles to get my dopamine and serotonin up.  Next time you are at a waterfall I challenge you to find someone sullen or frowning. Waterfalls are the jetskis of the natural world, they are cool, exotic and you never see anyone on one that is sad. 

Having moved to the Pacific Northwest recently I find myself thinking AND hiking around more and more waterfalls. Here are a few of my favorites from around the world, both large and small, I cant help but smile and feel the overwhelming sense of relaxation and serenity even just looking at the photos.  Enjoy!


Amazon Waterfalls
There are notably few waterfalls in the Amazon basin (once you get out of the Andes) The falls on the Rio Aturia (a small tributary of the Rio Negro) have played a huge role in my family, it is one of those places that is etched forever in my memory and  its one of the places that my ashes will be spread went I leave this mortal coil.

Pedro and I circa 2000

The tanic waters of the Aturia look like tea against the dark rock and look like cranberry juice against the white sand downstream (2000)

Beth and I on our "little stream" so many great memories from here, but sharing it with my little sister is an experience I will never forget  (2011)

The Brawn women enjoying the cool water and a shot of "51"  (2007)

waterfalls can provide additional services, such as a massage chair (2001)

It doesn't get much better than this...

The lovely Jeanne enjoying a cool dip



The caves and waterfalls in the Presidente Figueiredo natural area

Hawaiian Waterfalls 

I think this is Kauai , taken by Pete on his honeymoon, still it beautiful

Another waterfall that I pretty sure was taken by Pedro on Kauai 

IAO Needle on  Maui

A waterfall in the distance while on a solo hike in the west Maui Mtns

Michigan and Wisconsin Waterfalls

 Upper Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Lower Tahquamenon Falls

Small waterfall plunging into Lake Superior in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Michigan's UP

Amnicon Falls , near Superior Wisconsin 

Another small waterfall within Amnicon Falls State Park 

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

Wahkeena falls 

Multnomah Falls

Horsetail Falls

Loowit Falls

Metlako Falls

Little Tributary creek along Eagle Creek Trail 

Random Waterfalls

Wolf Creek tributary to the New River in West Virginia

Glacier Creek , Rocky Mountain National Park 

Frozen Waterfall, Red River Gorge, Kentucky

 
My obsession with waterfalls is far from over, I hope to get out and explore more this summer, and absorb as many negative ions as possible. Here's hoping that you can as well!!

Cheers, Bernie