Old Man of Storr

This past week we journeyed to the Isle of Skye, something I have wanted to do for years. It was a quick trip but I was able to do one small hike up to the Old Man of Storr, a very popular place. The hike is steep but it only takes 45 minutes to reach the base.

Old Man Storr in the distance

 There is a longer loop trail which takes approximately three hours that goes past the Old Man and up to the summit plateau called The Storr. As our time was short and the weather a bit on the wet side we chose to do the shorter hike. The Old Man is a huge pinnacle standing 48 meters high on the side of Mount Storr and on a clear day it can be seen from miles away.

Looking back down towards the road

We were very lucky in being able to see the old Man as we approached and stopped to take a few pictures. By the time we arrived at the very busy parking lot the clouds were coming in and the spikey edges of the mountain were obscured from our view. Being a short hike we didn't bother with our hiking poles, something I would later regret.

Heading up the trail

We climbed up and up on the gravel path complete with rock stairs in places. It was quite cold and the rain came down hard in the wind by the time we reached its base. Once there we shared in a beautiful prayer, spoken in this very mystical place. There is something so special in being together in high spiritual places and being thankful to God.

Old Man Storr

I so wanted to climb up and touch the side of the rugged rock but I knew it wouldn't be a wise choice without my poles to come back down. To have come so far and to be so very close made it a very difficult decision to turn around. Had I been on my own I would have scrambled up the crevice but I didn't want to cause any concern to my hiking pals. This was true again on the way down as I attempted to nab a cache. There is only one cache up there and it is off the main trail. I did go a ways down and was within a 150 feet of it but my hiking partners were patiently waiting for me, the wind was very cold and strong and we were soaked. In fact I was beginning to wonder how safe it really would be to go further afar on the trail, so once again I let go of my desire and turned back.

In the mist standing at the base

Letting go is something I am constantly working on. Growing up I was a bit of a control freak and was very stubborn always wanting to have my own way and not giving in til my Mom caved in and said yes. Becoming a Mom myself, was my first lesson on letting go of my desires and doing what was right for someone else.  It was hard but when you love someone the letting go is much easier. In all relationships there has to be compromise. This is true when out hiking with others, you need to compromise at times to make sure everyone on the trail feels safe and isn't pushed beyond their comfort zone. As I looked up at the gigantic rock I said a quiet prayer being thankful for this mystical place, for the ability to be able to travel to Skye and hike up to the Old Man, and for my friends and hosts, Duncan and Joan, who without them none of this would have been possible. There are so many more important things in life than caches and desires. Life is full of dreams, family, friends and best of all fantastic adventures shared with those you love.

Forfar Loch

This morning I walked around the Forfar Loch in Scotland where I am visiting friends from Canada. It was my sixth day away from my very busy life at home and work and I was enjoying the freedom and peace. 

I am very blessed in my life to have a wonderful family that all live close by and a place of work which brings many other people into my life. These past five months my daily schedule has been filled to overflowing as I have my weekly visits with my two grandchildren, stop in for dinner with my parents and other family members and spend the rest of my time coordinating the schedules of a family from Syria that my church sponsored. It has all been so rewarding but I knew I needed a long break. Life always seems to be so very full and not just in my life but in the lives of my family, most of my friends and everyone I meet. 

Coordinating family dinners when all six of the young adults can be there or arranging a walk or tea with friends can take a lot of time and weeks can go by before we can connect. Then there is the world of electronics that we are all connected too. I must admit that I am constantly "connected" and available to my family and friends 24 hours a day. Although I choose and want to be connected I know it adds to my busyness. I often wonder if we all aren't too busy and are missing out on what is really important in life. Life passes by so very quickly and sometimes we really need to take time to just sit and breathe.

This morning as I walked around the loch I noticed how light I felt. It felt good to be outdoors strolling the pathways knowing there was no where I needed to be and nothing I needed to do.

I passed many benches around the loch all placed where people could sit and just relax and enjoy the view and watch the many birds swimming in the waters. Although I passed many people walking I found every bench sitting empty. It's important for us to stay fit and healthy. In fact, since my last visit two years ago they have placed outdoor exercise equipment around the loch at three different stations. Now, not only can people walk or run on the path, they can do other work outs to strengthen other muscles in their bodies . I thought how wonderful this was and it is. However, life has to have balance so as I completed the loop I sat on one of the empty benches and quietly meditated for twenty minutes.  The sounds of the birds surrounded me and it a meditation of nature. The walk and the meditation together we're energizing and I felt quite refuelled.



Being away from home frees us in so many ways. As hard as it is to be away from family and friends it is something that we all need, a break from life. There is no wifi where I am staying so not only am I away from home but I am also "unplugged". I probably reach for my phone fifteen times a day out of habit but then I remember and tuck it back into my pocket and breathe. I don't believe it is healthy for us all to be constantly available at any hour of the day and night even for those that we deeply love. We all need time just for ourselves
As I walked through the trees on the pathway I couldn't Help but notice the difference in the trees that lined the path. On the right the trees were thin, short and twisted In a variety of ways. On my left were very tall trees standing straight n tall. Looking at them I felt very different as I looked from side to side. The twisted tree area looked too busy and too tiring whereas the trees standing tall looked peaceful and rested.  I felt like my life had become like the twisted trees on the left but I hoped being on vacation would have me back being rested. We can all make changes in our lives to find ways to slow down and not rush through our days. I hope when I return home that I will remember the image of the trees and choose not to book up all of my time so that I may stand tall and peaceful like the trees on the left. We all need to find the time to take a break, make use of the "benches" that are offered to us in life and just sit and enjoy the view.

Gifts

Out on a short geocaching hike yesterday by the Kosilah River. It is one of three rivers in our valley, the smallest and the coldest! I have rarely swam in this river but I have to say it is the most beautiful of the three. It is snow fed from the mountains and is so crystal clear. 

Looking downstream to where we would be hiking

Looking upstream

We were hiking along old logging roads and finding a set of caches based on Star Wars...it was great fun and mostly they were easy to find. Geocaching is a lot like finding treasure or little gifts in among the forest. I am always thankful for the people who hide the caches because without them this wonderful outdoor activity would not happen. 

My favourite Star Wars guy

It takes time and effort to place the caches and to monitor them. Geocaching is what has gotten me out hiking and finding new places to explore. Without the caching maps I would never have found so many of the trails that I have explored. The caches are gifts to me and many others as they give us the gift of searching and gets us out in nature, finding new places to explore. 

Our lunchtime spot

When we arrived at the river it's beauty beckoned me. I love swimming in the rivers, having their cold water wash over my body. I was very tempted and I warned my friend that if we came to a deep pool I may not be able to stop myself from "baring all" and jumping in!

Sun shining beautifully on a Maple leaf , Canada at it's best!

We sat and had our lunch along side the river. We just absorbed the beautiful views and the wonderful sounds of the water. Here was another gift for us to enjoy. Nature's gift. Time of solitude out alone in the forest, miles from everyone. The sound of the water rushing down over the rocks was relaxing. The birds chatting back and forth added to moment. It would have been a beautiful place to meditate.

Ferns growing out of a Maple tree branch

 The trail ended but we continued to "bushwhack" downstream looking for a couple more caches. Along the way we continued to be touched by the beauty that surrounded us. It was so quiet in the forest and gave us a time to just be, to listen and to absorb. In today's noisy society and busy world these quiet moments in the forest are such a gift. 

In among all the green ferns there was colour!

As we traveled down the river we did eventually come to a wonderful deep pool of water complete with rope swing. Did I do as I had wanted? Nope! While sitting having our lunch enjoying the solitude, up across the river, a vehicle went by and then sadly another. We weren't as far into the forest as we had previously thought and I was very thankful I had controlled myself and not given in to my desire. It might had been a very embarrassing moment.

So inviting!!!!

This was my last day to hike in our beautiful Canadian forests for at least a month or so. I am so thankful for the gifts in my life. The gifts of friendships with hiking pals who are always willing to explore with me. The gifts of a family who raised me to respect and love the outdoors which I was able to pass onto my own children and soon their children. Most importantly are the gifts Mother Nature continues to surprise and delight me with hike after hike. What a wonderful gift our island is!