Generations

It’s the first week in July and here on the island there has been very little rain for the past few months – this following a winter with very little snow and no snow pack what so ever to speak of, has us reaching a stage four drought and there is nothing in the forecast to give us hope for it to improve. As I hike in the forests I notice that streams and waterfalls are nonexistent. They have dried up from lack of water.  It really is scary and I wonder what is to become of the plant and animal life that live here.  Although the ferns are still a deep dark green in the trees the moss and grass is so very brown and dry.



Ferns still green but rocks dry where a lovely waterfall used to be

I spent these past four days on the Sunshine Coast with my two daughters and granddaughter - a three generation road trip! It was the first time both my daughters and I have had a holiday together since they were children and my first time travelling with my granddaughter. Despite a couple of minor disagreements, which are always bound to happen as our roles change, we all had a really great time. It was wonderful to share past stories with my girls and to share new experiences with little Savannah as we welcome her into our “girl time” adventures. I found it interesting to watch and adapt to my new role in their lives. Still being their “Mom” but no longer in control or being needed as we toured the many places.

My daughters and granddaughter "on board" for our road trip

We travelled from Comox taking the two ferries, first to Powell River and then to Earl's Cove. As we left Saltery Bay, on the Powell River side of the the inlet and moved towards Earl’s Cove I was awed by the wonder and beauty of the mountains that surrounded me.  They were so large and had so many different shaped peaks. I always loved geography in school and was wishing I could remember more about the formation of mountains.



Beautiful Mountain range

I knew once returning home I would need to do some reading and research to satisfy my curiosity but in the meantime I would just enjoy and continue to be in awe. Along the inlet there were many little nooks and crannies that had me wishing I was on a smaller vessel so that I could go and explore and see what each one contained. I felt like I was out in the middle of nowhere really and was surprised upon arrival on how populated the coastal area actually is.

Ah how I would love to be hiking those hills.

On our second day the four of us hiked out to Skookumchuck (strong water) rapids in Egmont and it was wonderful to watch the formation of whirl pools during the ebb tide. At the trail head I was surprised to see a sign that said "Bakery 300 m" and sure enough there on the side of the trail in the trees was a lovely little bakery cafe. A treat would be waiting for us on our return.

A bakery cafe tucked into the forest

Each day, large amounts of water are forced through the narrows creating whitecaps or whirlpools especially during the high and low tide times. Thankfully we arrived a bit before it reached its lowest point and were able to sit and enjoy the solitude of nature before the many other hikers arrived. 



The rapids at low tide

Sadly there were no kayakers or sea life to be seen but we were glad to have made the journey and witness such an amazing event in nature. 

Three generations on a journey together

The next day we travelled to Porpoise Bay and spent the morning on the beach at the Provincial campground. The night before my daughter had noticed a forest fire on the hillside and as we sat there on the beach we looked across at the fire which was now covering a large forested area.  There are many fires burning in our province at this time but to be so close to one really brought home how dry it really is and how careful we all need to be in order to protect our forested lands. 

Fires burning across the inlet

We spent our last afternoon down in Gibson’s exploring the little fishing village that was the location of the Beachcombers TV program that I watched as a child growing up. It was very cool to see Molly’s Reach restaurant and the boat that was used in the show.  Of course the town has grown and is now a tourist town really, but still, it was pretty special to be there and remember the many years I watched the program with my Mom and Dad and sister, a whole generation past.

Good memories from "Beachcombers"

That evening we went to a little park just down the road to seethe small waterfalls there. Upon our arrival we noticed that there was a bear sighting sign posted but we didn't really think it would be anywhere close. We soon changed our minds and only wandered up a short ways to see the small waterfalls.



Our friend appears to be a little closer than we thought

I was surprised to find that there was water still flowing through the little creek.



I imagine during the rainy season this would be fully flowing

We packed up and headed home early the next morning, retracing our route back to Comox. I was so looking forward to seeing the mountain range again and the little coves along the way, however the fire had grown much larger in the night and the sky was full of smoke.

Ferry to Saltery Bay

The mountain tops although still beautiful were covered in a haze.



The haze over the mountains at Earl's Cove

It had me realizing how very precious this land of ours is. As I held my granddaughter in my arms and looked out at the huge forested mountains I thought of her and of future generations.  The forested lands are not as they once were before man logged them, but they have been replanted and are full of wild life and so important to our survival. We need to be responsible when out hiking and camping in the woods. Most forest fires are caused by man’s carelessness and with such hot dry weather we cannot afford to do things that can cause such drastic damage to our planet. Years from now I would like to think that my granddaughter may travel across the same water with her grandchild to see the Skookumchuck rapids and all the other wonderful inlets and lakes that the coastal land offers us.

The next generation

This land is a gift to all of us and during this hot dry weather that we are experiencing I hope that we can all take a little extra care and keep it safe for the little ones in our lives and many more future generations yet to come.