East Sooke Park

It was time to venture south and check out East Sooke park again. I had done the 10km coastal hike with a group a couple years back but had yet to go down with friends and cache along the many trails. We had planned our route to go first along the coast and nab a few caches and then loop back along the interior trail where there loads of caches to find. I had seen a picture on a hiking site that I really hoped to find while we were out on the trail. It was of a large outcropping of rock with a trail leading out to it. It reminded me so much of Scotland and looked like it would need exploring.  I hoped we could find it. 

It's funny over time how one can forget the ruggedness of a trail. I picked the trails closest to the farm as I remembered how beautiful the scenery was and "flat" the trail had seemed to be. We were having a girls day and the three of us set off with Cabin point as our goal. The trail was relatively flat as we headed out and we stopped fairly often to take in the beautiful views along the way. 

As we headed out to the point we passed this rock with a tree growing out of the top and there was a short trail down to it but I couldn't be bothered to go and explore so just carried on. It wouldn't be til later that night that I would realize that this was the place I had been looking for. The picture I had seen was taken from a different  point and therefore gave a whole different perspective on how large the rock was. Its a lot like life ...it all really just depends on your perspective. 

We managed to nab three of the four caches and knew it was time to get a move on. As the trail progressed we found ourselves doing lots of rock scrambling, a part of the trail I seem to have forgotten. 

We stopped and had lunch with a nice view looking out at the ocean 

and then carried on..

and on....

and on...

Somehow I had forgotten how steep parts of the trail were and how much it went up and back down again. We came to a trail and discussed our options...there was no way we could continue to cache and hike and still make it to Cabin point. We opted to hike and carry on. 

It was great and thankfully we were mostly in the trees as we climbed up and down through the small valleys. 










  














We didn't make it to Cabin point has I had wanted but turned back just before it. Then we cached all the way back to the parking lot arriving in perfect time. It was a great day and I will definitely have it on my list to go back and do a few more trails. It will take at least two more trips to cover all the trails and nab the rest of the caches. Something to really look forward to and hopefully it will happen within the year. East Sooke park is a beautiful beautiful place to hike!
Thanks Joan and Pat for a wonderful day!

Last Hikes in Scotland

I was very lucky to be able to quite a few more hikes before I had to head back to Canada. I had always wanted to hike up Sir Albert's Seat in Edinburgh, mainly because my daughter had hiked up there four years ago and it would be cool to be somewhere I knew she had traveled.

The Pathway up to Sir Albert's Seat

 It is just a short climb to the summit and the weather was not at it's best but we managed to make it up to the summit and get somewhat of a view of the city.

At the Summit

 The most impressive site I felt of the hike were the massive crags. Although we didn't hike up on top of them we did take the trail that was directly below them. The rock formation was just amazing and I could have spent hours just looking at them.

The Crags

 Last time I was here had we had hiked up Mount Schiehallion and I was thrilled to bag a munro so I was determined to get another one this trip. The mountain chosen was Mount Keen. It is a long hike into the mountain through fields filled with lovely sheep and their cute little lambs.

Heading up to Mount Keen

It was wonderful to walk along the trail and come upon this ancient well. There is something to be said for the history of this magical land. 

Queen Anne's Well

We had our first lunch break up above the stream that was running down in between the hills. The summit could be seen in the distance but was a long long ways off. 

Lovely creek running down through the hills

Finally in the distance we could see Mount Keen. It looked so very far away but the pathway wasn't too too steep. For some reasons the Scots have built stairs on many of the hills when you reach the steep part. It must have taken years and I'm not sure I enjoy going up them. 

Mount Keen in the distance

After a few hours of hiking we finally made it to the summit. I had been thinking we would never make it as there was a false summit so I prayed as I peeked over the last bit that this actually was the top and thankfully it was!

At the rocky summit

The views looking back down the trail were just amazing. It didn't matter which direction I looked, there were just more and more hills and valleys. A beautiful peaceful place to be.

The views!

Heading back down it was amazing to see how far we had hiked up. The trail faded out in the distance but it was neat to be able to see where we had been and where we were going. Much different than hiking at home where one was mostly in the trees. 

Heading back down the long trail...

Once down to the flat land we took a break for second lunch and a foot soak. Lovely clear cold water. The sound of the peaceful stream was soothing.

Time for a foot soak
This was one of my favourite hikes for sure. It had a bit of everything, views, history, streams, lambs and was very magical and another munro was in the bag!

Just like the treed land I love back home

One of our last hikes was to the Corrie Fee. Hiking through the trees made me feel at home and there was a lovely stream nearby. Once past the trees we came to the opening of the Corrie Fee. It was quite a way to hike but I really wanted to go up as far as the waterfall. It looked a lot further than it really was though. 

The waterfall in the distance...our goal

I was content to stop here but I am glad that we carried on and hiked right up to where the waterfall came down through the rocks. 

Almost there

I hiked down so that I could put my hands in the cool waters and just sat there silently soaking up the peacefulness of the place and the day. 

Cool fresh water pooling on it's way down

I headed down ahead of the others, just wanting to enjoy the quiet and soak up all the joy of the day. I knew it was my last big hike and wanted to make the most of it. 

Heading back down...can you find D & J

Arriving at the car park felt really good...it was a fun hike....not near as strenuous as hiking a munro. It had been a good day and a great holiday. There is just so much to see and do when one explores other countries that it is impossible to do it all. 

Back at the car park and time to say good bye to the hills of Scotland

There was so many more adventures that I totally enjoyed but it would take too long to share them all. Besides I am back home and have my own hills and mountains to explore. Life is too short to stay indoors! Life and nature awaits.

Big Bang takes Penny Kayaking

My most favourite show on television is The Big Bang Theory, a comedy about four young men working at a University. They are all very wise scientists who love Super heroes and are Star Trek fans and I love them all. There are also two young women biologists that they befriend plus Penny, the high school drop out, who aspires to be an actress. Last year my friend who kayaks and blogs posted a picture of himself with his partner and four friends all taking a lunch break on a beach. They were dressed in matching mango dry suits and I couldn't help but laugh as they so reminded me of the guys from Big Bang when they dressed up in their Star Trek costumes. These too, were all very wise men and so I nicknamed them the Big Bang Guys. 

Yesterday my friends, Duncan and Joan, arranged with their friend, Ian to take me on an amazing kayak trip on the Moray Firth of the North Sea. Ian had planned the adventure and supplied me with kayak and kit so that I could take part. Although I look nothing like Penny, as I suited up in a mango jacket I felt that the "Big Bang Guys" were taking Penny kayaking. I am a novice kayaker and was feeling a little apprehensive about paddling with such wise skilled paddlers.



We headed out from Sandend Beach and the water was calm and a beautiful clear blue colour. We followed the coastline and went behind huge rocks through narrow channels. 


Above on the rocks were many types of birds nesting on the cliffs. It was truly amazing to be so close to them. The air was filled with their sounds and smells. Ian pointed out the many types of gulls, cormorants and kittiwakes. 

We continued on exploring the cliffs n caves that we came upon. As we paddled under the ruins of the Findlater Castle we approached a beautiful sand beach which would be our lunch spot.  

Ian explained how we needed to watch the waves and come in after two large waves had passed as they were followed by seven small waves. He went in first and did a wonderful smooth landing. I followed and was doing great but I'm not a strong paddler so the first big wave came up behind me and thankfully I managed to ride through it but as I neared the beach the second wave caught me sideways and I found myself hanging out of the kayak sideways with one side of me under six inches of water. It was a great sideways skid onto the beach and I laughed thinking how it was a great "Penny" landing. 
Here I had been concerned that I might embarrass my friend around his kayaking buddy and now I could relax because it was done. Ah it was something to laugh about and learn from. We had a great lunch and then headed back out. Amazingly it was much easier to get out with the help of the two guys than it was to come in to shore.



We carried on and cross the bay at Cullen beach and paddled over to Bow Fiddle Rock. 

Safely on the other side of the waves

It as a long ways to paddle and I was unable to keep up to the guys but thankfully Joan paddled along side me enjoying the beautiful views together as we moved along. The Bowfiddle is just so amazing.

Bow Fiddle Rock
From the front you can't see how amazing it is but from the backside it turns into this beautiful rock formation that looks like a fiddle. Paddling under it was such a gift and something that many people don't get to experience. I will be forever grateful! We then paddled over to another cave which will someday turn into an arch as the "window" is already forming.

I loved looking up at the stone ceiling and down through the green water. I could have stayed in there forever just floating on the clear water however we still had to paddle across Cullen Bay to the beach where we had left a car. Thankfully we were landing at the marina where the beach was protected from waves and I was able to land a little more gracefully this time!



It was an amazing day and something I will always cherish. Thank you Ian for organizing such a wonderful day and thank you Duncan and Joan for not only the kayak outing but an amazing holiday!
Photos from Duncan at http://oceanpax.blogspot.ca/ 
(I was very thankful I hadn't taken my phone with me to take pictures)

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!