Good Morning!

Well, the hiking gods conspired against our trip out to Cumberland this week as, while the family and I were out on our test run of the trail out at Cumberland Community Forest last Saturday we ran into a few unfriendly bits of poison foliage and bugs that, while they shouldn’t discourage you from heading out to that gorgeous forest yourselves, kept me from wanting 60 kiddos and their parents to cope with the usual Summer hazards on the trail.

I really love the CCF and encourage you to check it out on your own. You’ll be in awe at the history and scenery along the many different routes that take you through those woods.

We ended up this week at a most loved CVK standard – the Main Beach Trail at Seal Bay Nature Park just north of Courtenay.

Which reminds me that I need to do a full, updated post on this great trail. So, look for it to be featured soon as a Sunday Morning Walk.

Huckleberries most definitely dominated the day, as the trails were packed with deliciousness.

Many of us adult types watched on, a bit teary-eyed, as the kiddos munched and wandered and chased each other down to discover the next huckleberry bush popping out of a nurse log.

It was one of those times when you realize the magic of living in the Valley, on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia – when you imagine your kiddos sitting around 20 years from now talking about those Summers in the forest picking huckleberries, skinning their knees, discovering slugs.

Very cool.

Our morning and afternoon walk groups have evolved into their own styles of nature kids and it’s always amazing to me to see how the exploration of forests and beaches is wildly different from one moment to the next.

Just the shifts in tide and position of the sun change the way you see and experience things.

The tiny person and I are also finding our groove with these very long Wednesdays – picnicking, managing our time and energy. But, I have to tell you that I shake my head at how much energy that kiddo has. She literally ran (and I mean ran) up and down that big hill leading to the beach four times yesterday and still found herself smiling at the end of the day.

I, on the other hand, could barely make it home with my eyes propped open, and have become a big fan of the sushi dinner and 6 p.m. bedtime seven hours on the trail induces (for both of us).:)

We are exploring a little-known path at the Lazo Marsh next week. With vacations still in full swing, drop-in spots are plentiful. If you’d like to try out the walks or have a couple of hours open next Wednesday, just drop me an e-mail and we’ll get you all hooked up. The morning walk is at 10 a.m., the afternoon at 1 p.m.