Had to get Out Hike - February 24

Always a close standby hike for us is heading out to the Tarundl, tides hardly matter for the inside loops ... so overcast, cool but no rain in sight we headed off ... gumboots in hand as it was wet and muddy last week. We parked at the Honna and decided to enter off the middle entrance.

The eastern route from the beach was pretty wet as the drainage seems a bit overwhelmed and needs some help. Then we crossed to the Tarundl flats ... having sighted a new species ...  apparently a red beaked disc-owl. You may see it too, if you look carefully as it seems to have taken up residence.

Since last week there were new trees down, we moved one, making the trails still navigable, with some bending!

Sad to see to big spruce with flowing garlands die!

A Spirit Lake Report not a hike ... February 19, 2013

 If you have walked Spirit Lake recently you will know of the many trees, very large and small that have come crashing down across trails, parallel to trails and in the woods too. Some have snapped off, some are uprooted others have been fallen as dangerous.

Thanks to lots of volunteer hours, one root wad has been tipped back into place, others places have had new routes made around blockages, limbs have been trimmed. Bridges have been swept. A bit of ditching has been done to get water running where it should be. Materials lists are being made.

The skunk cabbages are poking up and the swans are still there.

One section of the trail is marked closed and there is  flagging tape up to stop entry .... well after obeying it totally for weeks ... finally on a calm lonely day, curiosity got the better of me - was it closed; there were footprints; had someone forgotten to take down the signs?


The damage along this section is spectacular, I sure don't advise walking this stretch ... the trees on top of the rock outcroppings, above your head, have fallen, slid, split, etc.
Chaos ...  you sort of want to tiptoe along, thinking well hope nothing happens right now!

We tend to think that it is a wind that always brings down the trees yet on this very trail system I was walking along when I heard a terrific crash across the narrow part of the lower lake, about 100 yds away when, totally out of the blue on a calm day an old snag just fell down, I guess its time had come.

It is a beautiful walk but take care ... be wise, look up, down and around!

Memorial to a hiking pal ... Feb. 16/2013

Recently she hasn't been well enough to hike with us ... we enjoyed it when she did. She had to be helped over the ditches and creeks but she was always game to go. She was pretty old, with very short legs, she couldn't see well and she couldn't hear ... but she was gentle with us all. She loved chocolate and sometimes even helped herself!

So we went to Tlell today in separate cars thinking of our friends Aeriel, Bruce and Maureen ... and knowing we wouldn't get to see little Aeriel any more.

So we walked the beach thinking of her ... it was a beautiful day but there were polk-a-dot rocks ... so tears were shed for Aeriel ... our hiking pal, a miniature dachshund with a big personality.