I find my life has changed so much this past year. It seems I have gone from craving to be out on the trails geocaching every weekend to being content to just be home and do the odd outing. It's not that I want to give up hiking it is just that life is so overwhelmingly busy that I can't seem to find the time to get outdoors as much.
This past weekend however I spent four days with friends up in Comox and we managed to take a day trip to Quadra Island. I have never been before and was very thankful to be able to explore most of the island.
Arriving on the island we headed south and stopped at the Cultural Center there. It was a quite little First Nations village and it was very peaceful to be there. I found myself comparing it to where the First Nation's people live in my valley and I must say it out shined ours completely. These folks obviously knew how to care for the land and their homes and be proud of their heritage.
Sadly the town I live in, a town I have been so proud of for many years is now become a town filled with homeless folks hooked on drugs and First Nations people who live in homes filled with and surrounded by garbage. It's so very very sad to see. I hope these folks who live on Quadra are very proud of the care they have taken with their village.
Upon leaving the village we ventured down to the light house at Cape Mudge and spent a few minutes at the beach before heading up the east coast to Rebecca Spit. We hiked out on the spit and had lunch. What an amazingly beautiful park. The beaches were lovely, the water warm and I could have sat there for hours watching the boats go by.
Next stop - Heriot Bay. It was a very peaceful bay with lots of boats at the marina and loads of people dining at the pub.
Heading further north we drove out on a very long dirt road to another little place where you launch a boat from. It was also the trail head to hike out to the narrows.
However with the tide not being very active we headed back down towards the ferry.
It had been a great day and we were so blessed with wonderful sunny weather, a day to be truly grateful for. Life on small islands is slower and quieter. It gives one lots to think about. Sometimes life just gets too busy and we all need to escape to somewhere to find respite.
The next day had us all heading up Mount Washington to hike the Helen McKenzie loop in Strathcona park. This hike I had done a few times but it is always great to revisit places as Mother Nature changes daily and one can always find something special to view.
It was a 9km hike and once again the weather cooperated and we didn't get wet.
Enjoyed a quick break at Lake Helen McKenzie
and then headed over to Battleship Lake where we stopped for lunch.
It is so quiet and peaceful out in the woods in Strathcona park even on Saturdays when the trails are filled with hikers. The park is so vast that there is room for all and lots of times you find yourself alone with nature and it's wonderful sounds.
It was a great last adventure weekend with good friends. I am so very lucky to have friends who love the outdoors as much as I do and are willing to "follow" me on my adventures! My heart is filled with gratitude for nature and friends and family to share it with.
