To be fair, I should include what little I know about this Vancouver hiking group. Friends added friends and the group expanded due to similar interests and bonding. All my family has met them on several occasions during our visits to see sister, Jean. Warmer and more generous people I have never met.
They invited me to what?
Towering, impossibly straight trees framed our path and filtered penetrating May sunlight through new leaves and branches. The clean scent of fresh air, cedar, ferns, fir trees, and dry dirt in our path path greeted all comers. Now and again, birds twittered, but quiet reigned except for the odd low-keyed conversation. Other hikers passed in both directions. Heaven.
The path began more or less three-people wide on the level gravel-covered ground. At times, we stood aside for other passers-by. A small incline rose up and up till I was breathless and heaving. Was I out of shape or what?
The majority of the seasoned hikers slogged ahead at a brisk pace compared to sisters Jean and Mary, Liz, and me. Jean suggested we slow our pace as we needn’t keep up with the others. The going became rough: stair-like ascent over roots and stones for footholds. Where the trees grew thicker, the roots were wet and the hiking trail muddy and water-soaked. Treacherous doesn’t describe it. Unsteady, I kept my balance—just. Was I up for this?
I worried how we’d get back to the parking lot though we hadn’t gone half-way, which happened at Jug Island Beach.
Jean and others pulled out snacks and water. Mary ripped off shoes and socks to cool off ankle-deep at water’s edge. The cool temperature discouraged swimmers—still too early in the season. Logs, rocks, and sand offered seating for all who chose to relax or catch their breath. We four arrived much later than the rest of the group.
Though I had a sneaking suspicion, I had to ask. “How do we get back?”
“Same way you came.”
Blast. Back over the wood stairs, rough stairs of dirt and stones, both minus handrails. Going down was easier than going up and I made it. Liz joined the rest of the group as we three sisters stayed together on our return. Whether altitude or lack of sleep, Jean asked permission to help when my legs refused to maneuver a tricky spot while on my hunches. Yes, she pushed me there.
At one point, Mary noticed we were in unfamiliar territory. We’d wandered off the trail. Funny about the timing. Jean and I gazed around, struck with the same thought. Seeing no other hikers for several minutes was daunting.
We shared our misadventure with a couple with an obedient Doberman, with whom we crossed paths. They confirmed we were back on track.
A man from our group passed by, who had made a last minute dash to the facilities following picture-taking. We were gone when he came out. Having no idea which trail we’d chosen first, he struck out on his own. Rotten luck. Alone, he made record time and now passed us on his second trail in.
A parking lot peeked through the trees, but which one was it? Passing hikers pointed to the curve in our path, which snaked to the road across from the lot we needed. Neither of us had a clear recollection of crossing the road at the start of the hike.
Decision made we’d ditch the second hike, we found Ralph had scored the last picnic table for return hikers. The sodden grass squished beneath our runners as we squelched our way toward him. At times, our shoes sank low past the soles. Canadian geese ambled about as if they owned the park, children laughed and hollered and ran. Tense parents kept an eye on them while unpacking picnic lunches.
The sun bright and weather spring-like, a chill breeze ruffled our hair. Grateful for a place to sit, I dropped to the bench. Jean suggested Mary and I snooze in the SUV till the second round of hikers returned. Though tired, closing my gritty and burning eyes was enough. I could not sleep.
I came alive when talk of lunch at a pub surfaced through the half-open SUV window. I’d lost all track of time but my tummy had not.
~ * ~
Next on February 23rd – North to Alaska: The Peoples’ Path and more
© 2018 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles
February 16, 2018 at 7:14 pm
looks utterly fab; I do love a good tramp, but also a snooze and a pub lunch… what’s not to like, huh!
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February 18, 2018 at 4:05 pm
Me too though not especially after such a long flight. The lunch was great but the snooze a long time coming on Vancouver time. Ouch. 😀
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February 16, 2018 at 7:32 pm
That is the nightmare, innit–getting lost on a hike. Who novels have been written about that!
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February 18, 2018 at 4:07 pm
I hate getting lost–anywhere–especially in the wood. The hike back should have been a no-brainer but you get yakking and not paying attention where you’re wandering. Haha. 😀
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February 16, 2018 at 9:31 pm
What a gorgeous area. What is life without some adventure?
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February 18, 2018 at 4:08 pm
I love Vancouver. The air is so clear and clean. Heaven. My sister, hubs and their friends know how to live. I’ve always enjoyed myself with them. XXX
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February 16, 2018 at 10:26 pm
A good hike, a good meander, a good lunch. Perfect day.
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February 18, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Got that right, Colleen, except the nap was soooooo long coming, longer still since we were three hours behind Ontario time. 🙂
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February 16, 2018 at 10:43 pm
I just hate to get lost in the woods. Not sure when panic sets in but it is pretty quick.
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February 18, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Lucky I wasn’t alone because I’d still be wandering about. I hate getting lost anywhere and do often, in malls, on roads, in stores. Haha.
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February 18, 2018 at 8:42 pm
Well my phone map app keeps me on the straight and narrow
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February 20, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Haha. What is there’s no signal?
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February 17, 2018 at 12:29 am
Hats off to you.
I would never have attempted it.
If, by some unlikely chance, I got to the top….I would still be there!
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February 18, 2018 at 4:11 pm
And I’m alive to tell the tale because I had company. Had I been alone? Probably still wandering in the woods, looking for the teddy bears’ picnic. Haha.
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February 17, 2018 at 4:12 am
I love how you describe your adventures!
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February 18, 2018 at 4:13 pm
You’re sweet, Lisa. Thank you. I’m pleased I enjoy scribbling things down because I get to share with you (and hope you like) and enjoy my trip all over again. I love Vancouver and my sisters hubby and friends. My kind of people.
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February 17, 2018 at 12:03 pm
It looks lovely even if the going is pretty rough and wet and muddy. Hope lunch was good!
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February 18, 2018 at 4:14 pm
The wet and damp were more prominent in the shade where the trees obscured sunlight. The air in Vancouver is heavenly.
Lunch was good but a snooze long time in coming. 😦
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February 17, 2018 at 9:21 pm
How terrifying to be lost. Many hikers have suffered enduring problems because of it. Glad you made it back safe and are off to your next adventure.
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February 18, 2018 at 1:36 pm
I hope it hasn’t put you off? I love to get out and walk, but struggle with hills because of asthma.
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February 18, 2018 at 3:46 pm
I did well overall, Gilly. The bod was so tired… 😉
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February 19, 2018 at 12:39 pm
I would’ve panicked once I veered off the path. Hat off to your adventurous spirit.
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February 20, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Thank you for reading, Jean. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. I should be used to getting lost by now: Walmart, parking lots, grocery stores etc. 😀 😀 😀
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February 21, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
A post that I visit each weekend but missed whilst I was away, is the Alaskan adventure by Tess Karlinski who is sharing her trip to the north.. this week on the trails.. and a tough one at that.. #recommended
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February 22, 2018 at 8:32 am
Tess, everything becomes an adventure when you’re there. (I begin to wonder if Pip is somewhere in your family tree.) 😉 Thanks for bringing us on the hike. Although I’m rather glad I didn’t have to do it in person. Hugs~
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February 23, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Sounds like a challenging tramp, but you made it! I love the silence of the woods when no one talks!
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February 23, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Alaska…brrrr. The scenery looks lovely, though. Glad you made it back okay and had a great time. 🙂
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March 2, 2018 at 11:34 am
Oh, what a great adventure. I’d love to be able to do something like that.
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