Dreams and Older Brothers Who Make Them Possible

Earlier this year I joined a Vancouver Island Hiking group on Facebook and from reading their posts I learned of many different mountains on this island that people hike. It inspired me and had me wanting to hike many of them. However, most are over night trips which I don't have the gear to do or the partner to hike with, so I focused on the day hikes.  The one hike I really wanted to do was to hike up Mount Benson from Witchcraft lake. A short but steep hike with 360 degree view from the summit.

Mount Benson Park

The problem was finding the time and the partner to hike with. Its only a five hour hike but I knew it was steep with the summit sitting at 3,356 feet, it was like bagging a Canadian munro!  A month before this I joined an evening group that was hiking up Roberts Roost, which is a lower hill on the side of Mount Benson. I struggled to get to the top even though it wasn't that long or steep. It had never happened to me before. I had to sit and rest while others kindly waited for me. I was really embarrassed and disappointed in myself. It had me second guessing my ability to hike up Mount Benson.

 

Thankfully one day on the hiking group site it was posted that a group was hiking up Mount Benson to raise funds for Nepal. Perfect! I checked my calendar and I was free. I decided this was my chance to hike it and be in a group because of safety from bears. I asked my usual hiking friend and she really wanted to hike it as well but she was unable to due to health issues. As a single person I don't have a constant partner around to hike with but I really wanted to do this before the weather changed and it became too wet and slippery. I decided I would go it alone although I have never been comfortable hiking solo. I knew the Nepal folks would be on the mountain so it would be safe.  However, five days before the day, my friends called and thankfully said they would hike it with me and so off we went!

Witchcraft Lake

 It was quite the grind going up and many times I had to stop and breathe. They were so great and patiently waited along the trail for me. The trail was very steep but rather nice in amongst the trees. Worst thing was all the roots along the way. Two and half hours later we made it to the summit.

Happily at the summit

The views were just amazing from up there. I never knew our island had so much uninahbitated land and so many beautiful mountains. All I could wonder was what it must be like to hike them and what was on the other side.


So many amazing mountains in the distance

Coming down was not an easy feat. It was steep and so covered in tree roots but we managed. I do believe we took the longest and steepest route there was up to the summit and again back down.

Back down over the tree roots.

I am so thankful and greatful to my buddy, my older brother who lovingly adopted me three years ago, and his wonderful wife who puts up with our sibling antics. They made my dream come true today and he continues, as always, to teach me that all things are possible in life. We just have to have the desire and the will to try. It felt so good to finally hike up somewhere with great elevation. It is not only healthy for the body but so good for the heart and soul to fill one's heart's desires. I realize that I can still hike up some pretty great mountains and look forward to doing this again some day. (Maybe)

 

My adopted family enjoying the summit

So next year....well, hopefully Mount Arrowsmith or maybe Cape Scott Trail. Both are on the list, I'll just have to see what opportunities life brings.

Geocaching

I only started seriously hiking a few years ago and what really got me out there on the trails was geocaching. Now I know most hikers just groan when they hear that the person they are with geo caches. I don't blame them. However I do try to keep the two seperate and don't cache when hiking with a group.
It began when I was given a  hand held gps. I had heard about caching and logged onto the site. Well within a few months I was totally addicted. The best thing about caching is how it has gotten me out on the trails. I have gone places I never would have years ago because I just didn't know they existed. Now I look at the map, see a patch of caches and know that there must be a trail there.
I do try and do some serious hiking and have managed to explore many hills and parks here on the island and a few in other places but mostly I geocache with a couple of friends.
In three years I have found over 600 caches, some most just regular plastic containers, some in little tiny tubes. Thankfully some folks are very creative in their cache building which really adds some entertainment to the hike.

The attic of this house was full of keys and one was to find the correct key to open the door!

A few weekends ago I was up in Comox and my geocaching friend and I went to Seal Bay Park. It is a beautiful park located very close to the town. It is full of many pathways all very well marked and all very level. We were not looking for elevation on this day. The trails are open to all but certain trails allow for horses and bikes.It's a great place to bring the family.




Lovely trails in among the forested land

We spent three hours in the park and only managed to cover half of it. Mind you we were stopping along the way looking for some treasures. The caches were lots of fun especially those placed by one person. You just never know what you may find.



The hanging vulture!



We did manage to find quite a few differnt styles before we headed down to the beach for our lunch. If I hadn't started caching I would never have found all these beautiful places out in nature.

Beautiful views at the beach along with a seal or two.

I can't wait to go back and do the other half of the park as I am sure there are a few more fun caches to be found.



A snowman in summer?

And a reindeer too!

Caching may not be for everyone but it certainly is good family outdoor entertainment and I can't wait til my grandchildren are old enough to go exploring for treasure boxes with Nana! It's not just the caching, it is showing them all of the beautiful places on this island. They already hike being carried in packs but won't they be surprised when their a few years older and they find a snowman in the middle of summer!




Nature Untouched

I was so blessed this past week to go hiking in Strathcona Park with a friend. We were both excited about hiking in an area new to us and planned to spend the day exploring. We headed out from Paradise Meadows around 9:30 on route to Cruishank Canyon via the Kwai Lake Loop. It would be approximately 20 kms, a good long hike for the two of us. For some reason though I had the idea that the terrain would be pretty level and we wouldn’t really be hiking too much uphill, after all we had already driven up the mountain.

A little stream making a pathway through the meadow

It was a great day and it took us longer than most but we were forever stopping to take photos.  We were in awe of the beauty that surrounded us with each step we took. There were many small lakes along the way.

Looking back towards Mount Washington ski hill

The colours were beautiful and enriched by the dew and the low laying fog that surrounded us. 

 

We couldn’t stop pointing out different views to each other and just soaking in all that we were seeing. The pathway was in good shape and took us up many hills and around many small lakes or ponds.

Hiking "up" one of the many rocky trails

There were meadow areas that had boardwalks built across them for easy travelling. Although the morning was cloudy with fog we were hopeful that when we reached the canyon it would be above us and we would be able to look down into the canyon.



One of the many boardwalks

Once past Lady Lake and Croteau Lake the trail was narrower and the boardwalk parts pretty much disappeared. The closer we hiked to the canyon the more beautiful the scenery became. It was like looking out at nature untouched.

The many lakes were breathtaking even with the low cloud

Other than the pathway there were no signs that anyone had ever been out this way.

And another small lake

Everything was so clear and pristine, it was absolutely breathtaking.  



Nature untouched

There were ponds in among the rocks, streams flowing down into the tiny lakes and beautiful colored bushes and plants along the way. I also saw so many different types of mushrooms, in every size and colour imaginable. It was just so amazing.

Natural  beauty - Lake Beautiful



The many small cairns marking the way to the canyon

Passing many built cairns along the canyon route, adding a rock to the largest of these, we finally arrived at the canyon itself.



Adding my stone

It was amazing. We were thankful that we had hiked the extra 3 kms to see the canyon and thankful that the fog was up above us as we looked way down the canyon. We could see the lake down below looking very small from up where we were. Sadly because of the cloud we could not seeMount Albert Edwards, a summit I would love to reach one day but the beauty of the canyon far below us was gift enough for us.

Looking down Cruishank Canyon



The dark looking valley below

We only spent a short time there, long enough for our lunch break before heading back.
Going back we were pretty quiet along the trail just absorbing everything around us. When we reached the trail junction we headed down the other side of Kwai Lake in order to make the loop. Until passing  Lake Helen McKenzie the scenery was still beautiful but the trail was very muddy and filled with tree roots. There weren’t as many uphill sections but some pretty steep downward parts following a rocky creek bed.  



The muddy return trip

It took us much longer than expected to get past the lake and closer to the meadows. Although we passed a few people it was very quiet in amongst the trees and as we hiked I got to wondering if this is how our creator had planned our planet to remain, untouched and beautiful.




Quietness in the forest

I thought of my own valley down south on the island and tried to imagine what it looked like before it became so developed. I imagine at one time it looked as beautiful as this untouched mountainous area up north. I hope this park area can always remain untouched so that many future generations can hike out and soak in the gifts that nature gives to us.  The small animals that nibble on cones,  the birds who hope to share your snack,  the black bears that roam the mountains and are regularly seen by hikers,  the wondrous colourful plants and deep green trees , all this I pray my grandchildren someday will have a chance to see with their own eyes.

Reflections

I was so thankful to have this day out in this forested park where one could hike and be alone in land untouched. It was a gift that I am thankful for and hope to share again someday with others. The Strathcona Park and Cruishank Canyon certainly deserve another visit.

"Solitude"

I live alone and life can get pretty lonely at times. I also, though, am very busy and constantly with people so I really should never feel very lonely. What I enjoy is solitude, some peaceful time alone so I can meditate and connect with God. I know solitude, being alone and loneliness are connected but to me there is a difference.

This past month, I managed to get out hiking a couple of times. The first one with a friend and a hiking group where we hiked 10 km’s along the Juan de Fuca trail ending at Botanical beach and the other hike with a new hiking group where we hiked up Robert’s roost, a little bump on the side of Mount Benson.  Mount Benson has been my dream to hike all year and someday soon I hope to reach its summit.

Mnt Benson - soon

On the first hike my friend and I hiked together among the group and chatted away. We both agreed that it was very different from when we hiked alone with just the two of us. We had no control over where we rested or where we stopped to take photos although I must admit, the leader was awesome and allowed us to travel at a comfortable pace and was patient as different folks stopped to take in the beautiful views.

Just one of the beautiful views

What we missed was the quiet of the forest and the time to spiritually connect with creation – the solitude that I find when out on the trails.

Some of the group heading up the trail

On the second hike there were around 20 of us as we headed out. Most had come in pairs and knew at least one person on the trail. I had arrived alone and for the first part hiked alone. It had me thinking about being alone, loneliness and solitude.  I felt very lonely even though I was in a huge group of people. Mostly I enjoy being out on the trails and welcome the feeling of solitude that it brings me and even though I’m alone I don’t feel lonely. 

A great message right before the view from Robert's roost

When hiking in a group there is so much chatter between friends that I miss the solitude one usually finds in the forests. I miss the peacefulness the sounds of nature bring to me. As I didn’t know anyone on the trail there was also a sense of loneliness to the evening and yet, I was not alone. As I walked along the trail I felt more alone than I do when I am actually alone at home. It really is all very strange and yet it happens often and I can understand it. I also struggled for the first time as I hiked towards the summit due to fatigue or dehydration but eventually, with the support of two other hikers who patiently waited for me, I did manage.  Thankfully, by the end of the evening I no longer felt alone as I had made connection with some others and was I glad I had joined in the hike.

The view of Nanaimo from Robert's Roost

This past weekend I was very grateful to two of my closest friends for taking me kayaking on the local lake. Out there on the water, with my friends close by, I was able to sit in the kayak and soak in the peacefulness of my surroundings.

The stillness of the morning water

The water was calm, the skies clear and there was stillness. I sat there breathing and being so thankful for the day. This was the solitude I crave. I did not feel alone or lonely even though they were a couple and I did not have a partner. I felt at peace. 

Companions sharing the peacefulness

We paddled down one coastline shore and crossed over paddling back down the other side. The mountains surrounding the lake were beautifully green and had me wondering about hiking them. It was a great day out on the water and paddling home through the waves in the afternoon wind had me laughing out loud with great joy.  I brought that peaceful feeling home with me and revisit it now as I sit here alone. It keeps the loneliness at bay and fills my heart with warmth.  

Fun in the waves!

We all need to find moments of time in solitude, whether we find it when we are alone, with a friend or maybe for some it is even possible in large groups. It is a restorative time and can bring calm to life’s busyness.  I am looking forward to a few days of hiking with a friend where I know I will not be alone, I know I will not feel lonely and I’m sure we will both share moments of "solitude" and connect with creation and breathe in the peacefulness of nature.




Beautiful clear water along the shoreline in "Solitude"

 

"Care"

I’ve spent the last two days indoors, not my favourite place to be, but I was attending a workshop on leadership. Although it was for work purposes I found that the messages from the speakers really reflected not only how we could be better leaders in our careers but how we can be better people in our world. We are blessed to live on a planet where we are surrounded by beauty, in nature and in people and we need to be the best we can be.



There is beauty all around us

I found that the messages the speakers were sharing with us all had one thing in common and that was the word “care”. Life is all about caring for others, for ourselves and for this planet. It’s in showing our love and care for absolutely everything that exists in our world that we can make this a better place.



Caring for our waters and future generations

Jim Collins, who shared with us about some of the time he spent as Chair for the Study of Leadership at the United States Military Academy at West Point said “focus on your unit not on your own personal career goal – take care of your people because life is people”.  It is so very true. So many of us focus on our own lives and careers and what we want to do instead of focusing on others around us. Great people are usually those who have helped others and put others first with love and care.  When you care for others, they will care for you and everyone benefits.

Ed Catmull, Co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, said that “we need to communicate at a deep level with people”, that we need to have “vested interest in each other’s success” and use “candor with kindness”.  A very wise man who knows that communication, the sharing of stories that are well told with emotion, will help us all to have connection with each other, and I believe when we care for one another we will to care more for our world.

My favourite speaker of the two days was Horst Schulze, Chairman and CEO of Capella Hotel Group and the founding President of The Ritz-Carlton Group. Horst shared his story beginning when at age 14 he became a busboy in a hotel that served very important people.  He gave us a message “no human can have superiority over another human”, we are all equal in this world. He said that “the way to success is through caring for your people”.  There is was again, that word caring.



We are all equal, no matter how little we may be

As I head out onto the trails I shall take these messages about caring with me. When I care about my hiking pals, I will listen to their stories and my care and respect for them will increase. As I look around in nature I will be respectful and show care for the plants, trees and animals that I encounter. In caring for nature I will do all that I can to not cause it any harm, and in caring for the earth and others I will also be caring for myself.  

"Care" for nature and all that surrounds us

“Care” like love, is only a four letter word but they both have such a huge impact on our world. When we all care for each other, and care for our planet, and put the care of others before our own needs and wants what an amazing place this world will be and you know, I believe it already is. You just have to stop and look around you to see it. Look up, look down or around, it’s all so beautiful.  

Looking up at nature's beauty

We are all so blessed.

Costal Hike

Today, along with my friend, I had signed up to hike with a local hiking group. We were hiking from Parkinson Creek to Botanical Beach on the west coast of the island. This is part of the Juan de Fuca trail that I hiked with my daughter three years ago. What a difference today hiking it with a light day pack instead of a 35lb pack!



As we started out I got my first glimpse of the ocean through the trees. We have had such hot dry weather that I was not surprised to see the fog bank out on the water, a common sight on hot days.



Upside down and upright "giraffes" frames the view.

 

Looking down along the coast we could see the waves crashing along the beach. The water had lovely huge smooth swells that would have made boating quite enjoyable as long as one wasn't prone to get sea sick. 

Looking down on the ocean swell and crashing waves.

 After following the trail for the first bit we decided to do 1km along the shoreline. It was flat  and an easy stretch with the tide quite low.




Looking down the shoreline  - an unmarked trail.

The Juan de Fuca trail is a wonderful coastal trail that people hike from all over the world. Some, like us this day, do a short 10 km section as a day hike where as others will camp in the five campsites along the way and take 3 or 4 days doing the full 47 kms. Although the trail is usually quite muddy throughout the whole year, with the dry weather we've had, what mud there was, was hard packed. Walking along logs and boardwalks to avoid the mud really wasn't necessary this time.


Thankfully the logs have all had their "tops" flattened to make easy hiking.

Thankfully the forests were still quite green and healthy and we came across some magnificent looking trees. Although quite common on the island they still bring a sense of awe to me when I look up at their majestic size.


A large cedar tree with huge root balls.

 

A huge leaning tree, sheltering the trail

 The streams that usually would have been flowing waterfalls were now just a trickle ending in small puddles along the trail.


Looking down from a bridge at the small stream

 

I was thankful to see that there was still some water in them, not only for the animals but for the overnight hikers who need these small streams to fill their water containers as they journey along. This is the driest summer I ever remember us having here on the island.

A tiny, tiny stream making it's way to the ocean.

There were eleven of us on the hike and as I only knew one of them, at times I found myself hiking alone with my thoughts, focusing on being thankful for all of creation. I enjoy hiking alone or with one other but for longer hikes a group makes more sense especially when you aren't hiking a loop trail. However, I miss the quiet of the forest when I am with a group and my friend quite agreed. The constant chatter of people while you're hiking doesn't allow you to hear the birds or the wind or even your own thoughts. On this trail you are constantly walking and climbing over tree roots so one also has to keep their eyes on the ground and I'm sure we missed some of the spectacular gifts in nature that surrounded us. We did however spy a hollowed out tree that had been struck by lightening. It stood in amongst the live trees of the forest, full of blackened holes.



The hollow tree

We were wonderfully surprised as we hiked past it to find a wonderful hummingbird carved by nature into it's side.



Even in death there is beauty.

Near the end of the hike my friend and I found ourselves alone on the forested trail. We could neither hear the folks ahead of us or behind us. For those few precious moments among the trees we stood still, soaking in the silence of nature.



In the silence

 

Among the trees

After hiking the ten kilometer trail we arrived at our destination - Botanical beach. As the tide was in we would not be able to explore the many wondeful pools of sea life. Instead, after a short break to soak in the beauty we carried on and hiked the last kilometer up to the car park where a driver would take us back to our vehicles.


Botanical beach at high tide

It was great day! The weather was perfect, warm but with a cool breeze off of the ocean, the trail, which you can usually find yourself ankle deep in mud was hard packed and dry, the veiws, wonderful even with the fog and the companionship of others made it fun.

I'm so thankful to live here on this island where we are blessed with trails, both along the ocean coastlines and through the forested lands, with huge mountains to climb for the energetic and valleys for others to explore. It really is an amazing place to be.