Are the Trees your enemies, that you should attack them?

Are the Trees your enemies, that you should attack them?

I can not get this devastation out of my head. Walking through the beautiful woodlands with bubbling brooks, the greenness of the pines and spruces and then I walk into this.  Why, Why?

The bears ad cougars come closer and closer into our town and we kill them off because they are a threat to our beloved pets - to our little children - we have declared war ..........

Tracks from hell Trail

Another perfect fall day – last spring I was wanting to walk from Perth Road in Garibaldi Highlands to Alice Lake. The first prevention was that there was too much snow still on the ground, then the rains came and then work began and there was just not any time to do it. The biggest hindrance however was FEAR. The distance I thought was to far and I was told that there are many trails and paths that intertwined making it so easy to get lost, and the constant reminder that this is bear country and mountain lion territory. So I tried to put it out of my mind. For a short period I succeeded, but the other day when I hiked the Four Lake Trails at Alice Lake Provincial Park I seen the sign post marker Tracks from Hell trail – I just knew I must hike this. Preparation this time by looking at my trail map – loading my day pack with compass and food and drinks I head out. Fear of meeting a cougar is fresh in my mind – Fear of getting lost is at the back of my mind. I know in the worse case situation I could make my way back to the highway... running through my mind off and on was what would I do if I did meet a cougar – final conclusion was I might not be able to save Dalhouise but I would get a couple of whacks in with my hiking poles and would attempt to stab it.

10:20am Vibe was parked at the end of Perth Rd and I was on the trail – later I noticed a sign naming this Jack Trail – 4 km to Alice Lake

11:45 Arriving at the far end parking lot of Alice Lake Provincial Park - just a few metres from the The Four Lakes Trail which I must hike the 2 km to reach Edith Lake

12:15 – Edith Lake – sat down on its shores to eat a 6 inch steak sub from Subway that I had bought the day before, drank some water and a juice box and ate a granola bar. I gave Dalhouise 1/4 pounder beef burger

It is at Edith Lake that the Tracks from Hell trail begins to complete the 4 km back to Garibaldi Highlands

I do not know how or if one trail just ends and another begins but before I knew it I was on a trail marked Mashiter Trail – which led me back to where I had parked the Vibe.

1:30pm arriving back at my Vibe. As I was walking I saw the road but I was not recognizing the area. At first I thought I was coming out at some other trail head – that I had taken a wrong turn – contemplating turning around because I had just passed a fork in the path a little ways back – but first lets just go look – there might be a sign – ah there it was the Vibe just where I left it.

Yes - there are a few paths and trails I could had taken to get myself lost, but for the most part the main trail is well used and it is kind of obvious that you should stay on it. It was not difficult to walk – I was expecting a lot worse. 10Km well that is far but not. I had no deadlines and I had food and drink and so I was not pressured into racing – leisurely walk enjoying the woods.

Tracks from Hell – I thought this would be some kind of grueling trail and would test my skills and endurance. Thoughts with out facts are so deceiving.  Hell Yes .... the area has been torn up by man – it sure looks like hell – bulldozed – stumps over turned – piles of roots and dirt and mud – just horrid... 

 

backyard thoughts

Exotic or Local

We take for granted the wonders around us
Do I have to travel this world...  Over oceans and seas to see such beauty -

No - my own backyard is a destination in itself.  Will I go to exotic places - I sure hope to continue to do so - even now as I write, there are plans being made to travel to either the Mayan Ruins or Belize
But first I have a few months to get outside and explore my own backyard.

Insulted

Skunk
Walking the Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park - Dalhouise was running ahead of me greeting any and all hikers that approached.  When I caught up - this family told me at first they mistook my dog for a skunk.  Yes sometimes he smells a bit - but really a skunk. Well Yes - with his tail curled over his back and his fur being black and white --  poor Dalhouise. But he didn't care he was so happy to be out exploring and sniffing.

a sign of weakness

The paths are wet, flooded  and wearing my older running shoes with worn out soles is not a good way to keep my feet warm and dry.
Decisions - do I "rough it" and walk through the puddles and creek that is washing over the path or do I turn about and stay on higher ground.  Must be a sign of age - I turn around and head home.
Where is the adventurist spirit within me now??

Tangkuban Perahu *** Bandung

 This is my first time up close with a volcano - alive or dormant. Sulfur in the air excitement in my soul. 

Tangkuban Perahu 
(spelt Tangkuban Parahu in the local Sundanese dialect) is a dormant volcano 30 km north of the city of Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java Indonesia. It last erupted in 1959. It is a popular tourist attraction where tourists can hike or ride to the edge of the crater to view the hot water springs and boiling mud up close.

Taman Safari Indonesia

My visit here was in 2009 - I highly recommend this as a place to go.

1. If you like to observe wild animals like tigers, lions and crocodiles in their native habitat, then Taman Safari Indonesia is just for you.
2. Taman Safari Indonesia or the Indonesian Safari Park is a conservation center as well as a modern zoological garden with various collections of flora and fauna. In this Park, you will not only enjoy the beauty of it‘s nature, but also interact directly or watch the animals wander around freely. Visitors can also travel in this conservation area using their private car or a provided bus through these amazing wild habitats.

Taman Safari has a collection of animals from nearly all over the world and local animals such as komodos, rhinoceros, bison's, sun bears, white tigers, elephants, etc. There are more than 2,500 animals.

Using cars, you will enter various habitats of tame and wild animals such as tigers, lions, komodo, bears and crocodiles. Although you are not allowed to get out of your car or open your door or window, you still can see the animals activities closely. Traveling with your children in this location will certainly be unforgettable. Don't forget to take pictures of these amazing animals.

After watching animals in their habitats, you can take your children to enjoy various animal attractions performed by orangutangs, dogs and even goats. These attractions take  about half an hour.  You could also visit the bird park, animal education show, reptiles, baby zoo, elephant and horse riding, safari trek, and wild-wild west exhibits.

 

http://www.indonesia.travel/public/media/images/upload/poi/header/header_tamansafari.jpg

Solace

No Solace

There is no solace for us, For such as we

Who search for some hidden city,We shall never see .......

Instead there is only the road,

The dawn and the wind and the rain.    

And the watch-fire under the stars

Then sleep ......

And the road again *************** John Masefield

What wonders lie in every mountain day

WONDERSWhat wonders lie in every mountain day!
Crystals of snow, plash of small raindrops,
hum of small insects, booming beetles, the jolly rattle of grasshoppers, chirping crickets, the screaming of hawks, jays, and Clark crows, the 'coo-r-r-r' of cranes, the honking of geese, partridges drumming, trumpeting swans, frogs croaking, the whirring rattle of snakes, the awful enthusiasm of booming falls, the roar of cataracts, the crash and roll of thunder, earthquake shocks, the whisper of rills soothing to slumber, the piping of marmots, the bark of squirrels, the laugh of a wolf, the snorting of deer, the explosive roaring of bears, the squeak of mice, the cry of the loon-loneliest, wildest of sounds.
What wonders lie in every mountain day! 

The Poetry of John Muir 1838-1914

A Visit with Mom

I do not know why I am so tired – I woke up 9:30ish am – had a shower – and went back to bed only to wake up again at 1:30pm. At first I thought it was 11:30 - could not believe my eyes when they finally focused and I seen the real time of the alarm clock sitting on the dresser. Wow.... I took Dalhouise to Nexen beach for his run and then to Mom's home where we spent the afternoon and evening. The place she is living (Shannon Falls)was having a three year opening anniversary and I had told them that I would join the supper celebration. During supper a lady was there playing a harp – it was very pleasant and the meal was tasty.. Roast pork with gravy, mashed potato and a vegetable mixture and a glass of white wine. For desert the new cook who was hired just recently made a chocolate cake – it was good – but Noni's is better. Enjoyed the conversation around the table – one of Mom's friends had invited some of her friends who live near me and we talked about hiking trails and birds. I enjoyed my self.

Eagles are Magnificant

“The Eagles are in Squamish - late November through March ---

Where The Bald Eagles Soar

San Juan Capistrano has its swallows, and Mexico is renowned for the annual return of Monarch butterflies. Squamish, too, has its own migration marvel. The Squamish area is graced every year with one of the greatest concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the world. Between late November and March, literally thousands of eagles call the Brackendale area of Squamish home - making eagle viewing and eagle tours an incredible attraction.” http://www.tourismsquamish.com

Eagles

Another sunny day and I decide to take Dalhouise back to the SPCA area for his walk. I was not planning on walking far with him – let him run next to the car – do his business and then back home. I brought my camera with me just in cases something should grab my attention. Something always does and today is no exception -  the clouds were low making for good picture shots of the mountains and river so I head down to the river bank where I become so excited - I see my first eagle of this season then another, and another. I see several large dead salmon resting just below the surface of the water and then I see live ones swimming – they are so large - oh I love BC.

I see this other large bird – at first I though maybe an osprey but after looking in the bird book at home I think my conclusion is that it is a second year immature bald eagle. I see on face book that the eagles are now only starting to arrive – NO kidding - and that the best place to view them is just down the road from my place. Yes indeed I live in one of the best places in the world.