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! 

Respite

It's been a working weekend for me and therefore no hikes were planned. Most weekends I try and get out hiking on at least one of the days and usually hike for about four to six hours. For each hike I put on my hiking boots, grab my poles, stuff my Garmin into my pocket and grab my pack, my Deuter 22, bright green pack, which is always stuffed with enough safety items as if I am going to be gone for days. 
Today however, I only had a three hour window in between work and I came home feeling pretty tired and realized I needed to get outdoors to energize myself enough to go back for the last four hours. Its been quite sometime, months in fact, since I actually just went off on my own on a trail somewhere but I knew it was what I needed to do. 
I slipped on my low hikers, stuffed an apple into my pocket and drove three minutes up the road to Bings Creek trail which I only found a month ago. This is a lovely trail that will take you all the way to the top of Mount Prevost, something I have yet to do but it is definitely on the list when I have five hours. Today however a short stroll would have to suffice. 

The quiet forest

I entered the forest and was immediately wrapped in the sound of silence. Ah the peacefulness of a quiet forest, I thought to myself. As I walked along I noticed all the wonderful signs of spring and stopped to take in each little flower, plant, or fungus that brought colour to the mass area of ferns.

A beautiful lily gracing the trails

 I thought about new life and new adventures. It is so easy to just stay doing the same old thing year after year but eventually we all need to experience change and new growth. 

Cute little fungus on the side of a tree

A touch of yellow in among the green ferns 

As I ventured further along the trail I listened to the birds calling back and forth to each other. One had a definite loud caw sound and eventually I found it way up high in a tree, a large black bird of some sort. It was so high up I really couldn't tell what it was but it certainly was huge. 

Lovely little yellow flowers bring a smile to my face

I went down the the creek and just absorbed it's wonderful sounds as it splashed down over the rocks and through the branches as it made its way down through the twists and turns. 

Bings Creek

Such beauty and every time I return to the creek it is somewhat different. It changes constantly and yet each time it retains its beauty. 

Maybe not quite a waterfall but it creates a beautiful sound

I realized how life is so full of changes and how important it is for change and new growth. Life would be boring and get pretty stale if we didn't move onto new challenges, seek new adventures and experience all that we are able to. 

Rushing down from the mountain

The creek's sounds calmed and restored my soul and it brought to me the respite I needed. 
Nature continues to amaze me with it's beauty, especially the streams and falls in the forest. They fill my heart with joy and bring me peace. 

Beauty in the water's splash

I could sit by them for hours watching the water fall and the sounds they create are all so soothing. 

A gift of nature

Eventually I headed back to my car, leaving the creek and once again entering into the silence of the treed forest. The birds were still conversing back and forth. It was only a 45 minute walk in the woods but so very spiritually nourishing. I had forgotten how easy it is to just go for a walk without all the planning and packing of gear. That right outside my doorstep is an oasis of beauty. I will be doing this more often. With the days being longer now maybe I can make an evening "hike" part of my daily routine at least three days a week. Being near water and out in nature always gives me hope and inspires me to be all that I can be even when the uncertainty is unsettling. 

A Gift in Sean

Today my friend and I had planned to go hiking. She wanted to hike where she could get a view, I wanted to get some caches so I chose a spot in Ladysmith that would take us up to a lookout and then onto some old logging roads where there were lots of caches...not a pretty hike but it would fill both of our needs. 
Sadly, late last night, I received a phone call telling me of a middle aged man's sudden death. Sean was a man I had met through work about 10 years ago. He was a good man, a man who struggled in life and way too young to leave us. As I laid there thinking about Sean I knew our hiking plans had to change. I needed the trees, the quiet of the forest and some form of water. I needed to spend the day where I could connect with God and reflect on Sean and what he had brought to into my life. So when my friend arrived I told her of the change in plans. We would hike the 12 km Stocking Lake Loop, a bit of a view on the way up and lots of creeks, trees and peacefulness, it would be great and a hike we had wanted to do for some time. 

The first stream of many coming down the mountainsid

As we headed up the steep gravel path we came across many running streams. As we traveled deeper into the forest the creeks were surrounded with the deep green colour of the moss covering the rock and logs. The sights were so very beautiful to my eyes. 

Surrounded in beauty

As I stood by the creek I thought of Sean and all the gifts he had brought into the office. Although Sean had led a good life and worked hard he struggled with alcoholism, a terrible disease that affects so many people. Sean would faithfully show up every morning to see how things were with everyone at the church. If our caretaker needed a hand he would always be there willing to help steady the ladder or help with outside chores. He was always polite, always respectful and always had a story to tell. In days we were giving out pizza to those living on the street he would always make sure everyone had one before he would take his. Many times when I offered him one he would reply "Give it to someone who needs it, I will be okay"

The creek continually rushing downward

As I looked at the water rushing down stream I thought of the few things I actually knew about Sean, his pin and postcard collecting, his much loved cat and I wished I had spent more time with him but like the water rushing down the mountain side I am often rushing from one chore to the next in the busy office.
I knew this past year I had felt some frustration towards Sean and the fact that he continued to not be able to help himself. I hadn't always given him my full attention when he stopped in. It is a lesson I am continually learning it seems. Life is a gift, each person is a gift and we need to take the time to be with people and not let all the work and busyness interfere.

Looking out over the destruction at the ocean

We continued to hike and were surprised to find that the trail now had a huge view of the ocean because of the logging that was taking place on the hillside. We focused on the view and tried to pretend that we couldn't see all the destruction the logging had brought. Thankfully it will all be replanted and new growth will come.

Stocking Lake

Finally after two hours of climbing up we arrived at the peaceful lake. Such beauty brought calmness into our bodies. We stopped and I was so very thankful that we had decided to take this hike.

One  of the many beautiful views as we hiked around the lake

We hiked around the Lake finding wonderful little places to stop and breathe and just take in the quietness of the morning. 

A little hideaway we only found due to a cache that was hidden here.

Through the whole six hours we hiked we only met three or four other folks on the trail so we were able to chat but also share in moments of just listening to the silence of the forest.

The soft carpeted trail in among the cedar trees

 In some places the forest floor was so soft being built up with years of cedar tree decay. It was like walking on a soft carpet. There is something to be said for being out in nature and just observing. I am always so thankful for days on the trails. It gives me time to reflect on life and get away from the busyness it brings. 

A place up ahead to rest and just be in the moment

As we headed back down the mountain I gave thanks to Sean and all the gifts he brought into my life and the many others at the church. I am going to miss him in the morning when I return to work. There is going to be a void that will touch many people. 

A pathway leading us to ???

We never know where the pathways in life will take us. As my buddy tells me often, "Life can turn on a dime" and it is so very true. We need to make the most of every minute in life and take the time to build relationships with people and be there for them, through all the good times and all their struggles. 
Thank you Sean, for stopping by and asking how I was each day and thank you for today's hike. I felt your spirit hiking along with me today. I know you are at peace and no longer struggling - fly high! 

Being Happy and Thankful!

It's been a strange couple of months in many ways. In January my life was blessed with a new family from Syria joining our community and as the coordinator of the sponsoring group it has kept me very busy. It is the most wonderful fulfilling experience I have ever had. However, I must say, that it was keeping me from being with family and friends more than I would like so after the first month I started taking weekends for myself and got out hiking on quite a few trails with friends. When our lives get so full of busyness we forget to be thankful for the small things that we see and enjoy each day. It can sometimes get me feeling down and gives me a kinds of "flat" feeling. What a difference a day out on the trails can do for one spirits. 
This weekend I was very lucky to be able to fit in three short hikes. Friday, I drove with the family from Syria, to the parking lot of one of the highest mountains looking over our valley, Mount Prevost. We hiked up the last steep part and within twenty minutes arrived at the view point.  I was able to watch their faces fill with awe and joy as they looked out across the valley to the ocean. A view, I have seen many times in my life and maybe take for granted, brought pure joy to this young family. It was just wonderful to witness and I am so thankful to have them in my life.

A Beautiful View of the Cowichan Valley

We stayed up there enjoying the sunshine and the view below. Luckily we also found a small patch of snow on the far side of the slope which brought them pure happiness as they felt its coldness in their hands and threw it up in to the air. Something that many of us take for granted brought so much joy...we need to bet thankful for the simple things in life. 

Playing in the snow for the first time!

The next day my hiking buddy and I hiked up the mountain on the other side of the valley and went along the ridge looking down on Cowichan Bay. It was a good 3.5 hour hike and definitely gave me a much needed workout. It's a great trail, well used by many and full of amazing views of the valley and ocean. 

Cowichan Bay with mountain filled backdrop

 I realized as I hiked that there were so many trees, unique rocks and shrubs that I somehow had not noticed them before. Sometimes when things are right in front of us we can't see them for the trees ;)

An old intriguing tree that I had somehow overlooked before

Peeking out among the trees

This afternoon I hiked with two friends along a small creek coming down from Mount Prevost. It was a short fun hike in among the ferns and trees. 

In among the green green ferns

The water coming down from the mountain was very pretty and it was a very peaceful trail. The sounds of the birds in the trees, the sounds of the creek all brought a wonderful sense of peace to me. 

Bings creek rushing down from the mountain

We managed to find a couple of caches, one of them right by this waterfall, so it was all in all a great afternoon for the three of us to explore.

A great little find along the pathway!

Getting out in nature is the best medicine for my soul. No matter how busy we get, how stressed we can be over things that are happening in our life, getting out on the trails not only gives us a chance to just breathe but it also allows us the time to be thankful for this wonderful world we live in. Seeing nature through someone else's eyes, especially someone who comes from a country in war, reminds me to make each day count, to be mindful of each tree and fern along the way and mostly be thankful and happy for everything in my life. 

The peacefulness in nature

Today as I drove along I saw this little fir tree growing out from the rocks. There it was all by itself struggling to grow big and tall with only rocks for its roots to spread out in. I thought to myself wow! I want to be as strong and as brave as that little tree and I could begin today by deciding to be happy no matter what happens. To be happy I just have to want to be happy and it will just magically happen.Life is so very precious. I want to enjoy every moment and be filled with joy and live life laughing like the bubbling little creek I walked along today. It's all the way one looks at life and how we begin our days. I plan to begin my day with a smile on my face and a heart filled with thankfulness!

Adventures in the Snow

It's been an awesome month and we have been enjoying what I think of as perfect winter. The snow has fallen up on the mountains and left our roads dry and bare and the grass nice and green. The sun has shone and although its been cold I've managed to get out a few times and hiked up the hills and into the snow.

 The first hike took us up to the cross. There was a light layer of snow on the trail near the top.

 

At the cross there was snow but not enough to cover the base and the weather was a bit misty but still warm and wonderful.

 

 The inukshuks were peeking out from the snow on the way down. Each trip seems to have more and more little rocks being added to the others already there.

The second hike we headed up to the cross again but this time our goal was to hike up to the ridge and over to the Genoa Bay side to find the bench that I had been wanting to find for months.

However the weather had changed and the snow was very deep.

Not really knowing the pathway we decided to loop back to the trailhead and not head across the ridge to the bench.

 Thankfully in the new year we were able to make a second attempt and what a glorious day it was. Snow on the ground, beautiful blue skies and there we were up above the clouds.

It was a totally different world up there above the clouds.

 

 

 

 

It was so beautiful as we walked along the ridge. I couldn't help but stop to take many pictures along the way.

The snow layed heavily along the branches and yet the sun shone down upon us.

And the icing on the cake was that we were able to find the bench and enjoy lunch sitting in the warmth of the sun before heading back down through the snow covered trails.

 

 The next adventure took us up island to the Comox valley and Mount Washington. We drove up in the rain and some wind but once we arrived it was another glorious day and once again the snow covered land was more than beautiful.

 

 We went snowshoeing to Anderson Lake and enjoyed our lunch while sitting on the snow bank near the shoreline.

 

 I was amazed at how beautiful winter can be. Everywhere I looked creation was glistening with clean, white snow and it's beauty was unending. The streams covered in thin ice were full of colour.

 

 The mountains were covered in snow and looking down at the lake one would never know it was frozen over and covered in snow.

 
One could see how deep the snow was when looking at the layers piled high on the rocks and bushes and when I fell through it felt like it was never ending!

I am so thankful for this wonderful winter we are having here on our usually warm wet island. Hiking up to the snowcovered mountains right here in the valley with my hiking buddies and snowshoeing on the mountain side with my daughter and my adventurous friends, it has just been the best. Memories have been made that won't soon be forgotten but treasured and relived again and again.
Best news is, it's only January! There are many more adventures to enjoy and who knows I may just get back out there and experience snowshoeing on those wonderful glistening snow covered mountains before the spring rains arrive and the mountains return to their nature green colour!