Walking the Hedge

I took the day off, loaded up my bike and headed out into the backcountry yesterday.

I had a wonderful day at Wells Gray Park, it is one of the largest provincial parks in BC and it’s so beautiful. It has many waterfalls of all shapes and sizes; I only saw a couple of them.

First I just drove through the park along the main road all the way to the very end, as far as you can drive a car into. Which stops along Clearwater Lake, it really has clear water! It also falls into a stunning waterfall and is like a mini Niagara Falls; especially the view from the top, the lake just suddenly DROPS, falls and then becomes a river, its awesome.

Then I headed back about half way through the park to a trail that had stood out to me while looking at the map. It is a loop trail that runs through what used to be an old settlers farm back in the day but was donated to the park ages ago.
You can go past the old barn and farm house that have been left to go back to the land, and see where what used to be acres of cow pasture is now being reclaimed by the forest.

Along the way I passed a few other hikers on the trail, it was funny that you could tell the folks “not from around here” as they didn’t know what to do about a bike on the trails. Hehehe welcome to British Columbia, heart and capitol of mountain biking in the world.
I have a little bell on my compass that I ring and I always walk the bike past small children or strollers. Normally I won’t go on trails used by families but since I am new to the area, and since I liked the look of the trail I took it.

Then you pass a small off shoot trail that leads to the gravesite of Mr. And Mrs. Ray, the old couple who used to own the farm. I had brought along a bottle of whiskey for such things, so I toasted the two of them, and the pioneer spirit and poured a wee dram on the gravestone. I’m sure Mr. Ray would approve, though maybe not Mrs. Ray hehehe

As I was moving along, I looked up to admire some very nice cedar trees. And slammed on the brakes so hard I almost fell off my bike. MISTLETOE! Clinging to the limbs of almost every cedar, spruce and fir in that section of the forest was real bona fide mistletoe.
It was everywhere! It litters the trail, going old and mouldy, it hangs like sleeves on the trees! I was thrilled, ecstatic, I danced right there on the trail and sang the forests praises; a good place to pour more good Canadian Whiskey.

There is also a small mineral water spring on the trail, which bubbles up out of a mound of hardened orange mineral. Right now the name of it escapes me. It looks like some cute orange miniature volcano bubbling water. The water then runs off in to the land and eventually meets some very pretty streams. It only rises about knee high, and the hole the water bubbles out from is just large enough for a water bottle.
I gave some more offerings, not just whiskey but blood to many misquotes lol. And then politely asked if I may touch the mound, then I gently explored it with real wonder and amazement, telling the earth how beautiful and wonderful She is. I think She like to hear “WOW! You are so cool!” now and then. Then I politely ran a few fingers along the inside of the hole and touched the water to various points on my body.
I filled my water bottle halfway and had a small mouthful (the signs said it was okay to have a taste) man was it … mineral-y, very fizzy and hard water.

I did get a few pics with my phone, having forgotten the camera. Sorry they are not of very good quality.

Related posts:

1. Musings About the Land: Forests
2. Horses, a Mule, a Dog and a Puppy
3. Beltaine 2011