My Juan de Fuca Experience----Aug 7 to 10, 2014

For anyone reading this for useful information about the JDF Trail, read only the BOLD print if you want to skip the fluff.

How much does a roll of toilet paper weigh?  I know 9 ladies who would know the answer--4 oz.  That might not sound like much to most of you but that is 1/4 lb!  We are the group of 9 (let's say "middle aged") ladies who set out to backpack the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail.  But trust me, I only took a 1/2 oz, partial roll of TP (and that includes the plastic bag to protect it from moisture).  Who goes through a whole roll of TP in 4 days?! (and at the end of the day, you didn't really need it; all campsites had pit toilets with TP and hand sanitizer; although it's good to carry a little, just in case they run out)

The JDF trail is a 47 km wilderness hiking trail on the SW coast of Vancouver Island, BC in some of the most rugged and beautiful  rainforest coastline in the world. (IMHO)

Now before I start to describe for you my experience on this magnificent adventure, I'd like to introduce to you, my 2 best friends:

And I should also point out my least favourite of the group:

But seriously, here is the one who invited me on this trip and I'm so thankful she did.  My good friend, Denise, invited me to help her friend Susan, fulfil a bucket list item for her birthday this year.  I quickly accepted and didn't really think I would know any of the other women.  I knew Susan slightly through Denise and as she named off the others I soon realized that I had some kind of community connection with several of them.  The remaining 2,  I met on our practice hike.

Day 1-- We started our journey at the China Beach trail head, hiking 2km to Mystic Beach where we enjoyed our first encounter with the sea and the beautiful beach there.  This was our breaking in period where we came to terms with the size and weight of our heavy packs weighing in at anywhere between 28 and 38 lb.  Again, this may not sound like much to some of you but at 28 lb, that is well over the recommended pack size of "25% of your body weight" for the smallest of our pose.  Here is our group in the parking lot as we were about to set off:

From Mystic Beach we hiked 6 km more that day to our first campsite, Bear Beach.  This was moderately challenging but enjoyable terrain to get us started but we weren't making great time.  It didn't take long before we had our first "incident".  Joanne got  not 1, but 3 wasp stings; but she was a trooper and there was very little "to-do" and we continued on.  In an effort to keep us moving, our fearless leader, Jocelyn, said "I don't need to look at the ferns".  We were thankful to get our packs off after only about 3 hr and 40 min of actual hiking that day.  At Bear Beach we camped on the beach and enjoyed meeting other hikers; a father and his 21 year old daughter, 3 international students from 3 different countries enjoying the Canadian outdoors and being forced to communicate in their only common language, English, and some friendly Sunshine Coasters.  As one 20 something young man walked by, Barb asked with nothing more than motherly concern, "Are you camping alone?" and much to her dismay, the rest of us would not let "Cougar Barb" live this down the rest of the trip.  We enjoyed our communal time around the fire but the wind was quite cold and we were anxious to get to the warmth of our tents. The loud, crashing sounds of the waves lulled me to sleep that night and I awoke to a completely serene ocean with barely a wave in sight.  Barb and Jocelyn on the other hand, awoke to see a bear about 20 meters from their tent.......thus the name of the beach I guess.

Day 2 started at km marker 9 and our destination that day was Chin Beach at km marker 21.  Twelve km, no big deal for this group of seasoned hikers trained on the Vancouver North Shore mountains.  Norvan Falls is 14 km and we can do that with our eyes closed.  To our surprise, this stretch of 12 km felt like 20.  It was slow going, gnarly terrain with about 10 or 11 hills to climb.  After about 6 1/4 hours of hiking we reached our second camping spot feeling pretty spent.

The trails are a friendly place where you greet and speak to everyone you meet.  You are all equals on the trail no matter what your walk of life.  Our common question to those who had come from the other direction and were heading our way: "How are the trails further along?  Does it get easier?  Is it this tough the whole way?"  Well, the answers varied as much as the people giving them.  Some said it got easier, some said harder, one said monotonous and another said the upcoming camp-sites were "fugly".  We didn't know what to think but kept hoping for the best.

                                       


Day 3 began with great discussion.  If we only got to our originally planned destination that day, we were leaving 17 km for our 4th day and risking missing our 5 pm bus back to our vehicles and this would surely make it very difficult to catch a ferry back to the mainland that night.  Plan B was to go an extra 7 km to the next available camping spot.  Could we do it?  What is the terrain going to be like?  We'll have to decide when we get there.  We had barely got going that morning when one careless gal in the group (aka-me) had to stop to fix her seriously leaking hydra pack.  Hmm, yes, they tend to leak when you don't screw the lid on properly.  We hadn't gone far from that little mishap before Barb took a log to the head landing her down on the sand where her eyes had been focused during the painful event.  No major injuries and off we went......although on inspection later, her elbow that she landed on was showing some pretty drastic signs of haematoma.

After 4 hours hiking that we described as treacherous, challenging, tough and hazardous, we came to our lunch spot on Sombria Beach, km marker 28.  We had heard that this was a marvellous place and we were not disappointed. We even found a gorgeous hidden waterfalls.

 It was here at Sombria that Jocelyn discovered her missing camera.  The last picture she took was a km or 2 back.  Arghhh!  We were tired already and no one wanted to backtrack.  But Jocelyn was determined.  She ditched her pack on the beach and headed back to the last bridge she remembered using it at.  To no avail, it wasn't there.  As she started to return to join the rest of us again, she met a couple on the trail.  They agreed to keep their eyes on the lookout for it so Jocelyn gave them her email address.  Since she had been our main photographer, documenting our great adventure, this was a terrible loss; not just for her but for the whole group.  As she walked away from the couple in disappointment, about 5 steps away she saw her camera, hanging by its strap from some branches down at the side of the trail.  Victory!!  The camera was found.  Later on this same evening,  Barb's camera would take a death defying leap off a 30 ft rocky cliff and land in a puddle of water, only to be recovered and then found to be still working on the return home.  There was good karma that day!

After our lovely lunch break at Sombria we hit the trail again for the next 4 km to Little Kutchie Campground where we would decide if we should go on or not.  Along the way, I tripped on a root and my pack, having a mind of its own, decided to take a leftward dive into the bushes off the trail.  There I hung like a turtle on its back trying to right itself.  Jane and Alette rushed to my rescue and pulled my pack so I could return to my feet.  None of us dared look to see what was below those bushes.........we had passed some pretty steep cliffs earlier on.

The terrain continued to be very challenging, very technical.  I concurred with my fellow hiker when Susan said "Thank God for poles!"  Every step was quite diverse; we couldn't understand the one hiker's description of "monotonous".  I once again agreed when Jane said "Never a dull moment."  It was 5pm by the time we reached Little Kutchie; it had taken us 3 hours to go 4 km.  There was no way we could possibly go 7km further so we stopped for the night with the knowledge that we would have to set out at 7am if we were going to catch our bus the next day.  Much to the dismay of the coffee lovers in the group, we banned the stoves from use in the morning to facilitate the early start.  The die-hards had cold coffee in the morning, savouring it as though it were an iced cappuccino from Starbucks.

As we cooked and socialized and "enjoyed" our last night of freeze dried food and last night of tenting in our dark but quaint forest home, we tried to lighten our packs for the last day.  Food eaten is food not carried. Anne encouraged us to eat up all the chocolate she had brought.  She said "Better on your hips than on my back!"

Day 4 (aka Orca Day) We got our early start; 7:15, not bad!  Leaving km marker 33, we had 14 km to get to the end of the JDF Trail and then 3 km into the town of Port Renfrew where we would catch the bus.  We had to keep moving.  We were almost there with no injuries and everyone intact.  Don't stumble now.  Anne coached us on by saying "Lose your focus and your ass will follow".  As we got to the beach at Parkinson (37 km) we saw a  lone orca below the water and we could spot its white markings just below the surface. What a sight to brighten our moods!

 From there it was onward to Payzant Creek Campground where we had hoped to have made it last night.  Our decision had been right.  It would have gotten too dark in those trees after 5 pm and the terrain was still pretty rugged although it was easing up with stretches of "cream" between the harder areas.  Here we had our second orca sighting.  This time a whole pod of them frolicking along the shoreline. 

                                      

We had a quick peek at Providence Cove, leaving our packs up at the trail after great debate whether the bears might get them in the brief time we were down there.  I reasoned that there was only a 1 in 9 chance that the bear would choose my food to eat so I risked it.  We then used our budgeted 15 minutes for lunch on the rocks at Yauh Creek where I heard Barb say "Peanut butter and jam never tasted so good in my whole life!"

Hitting the 40 km marker at Payzant Campground had been our moment of jubilation.  We knew we were going to make it; only 7 km left to finish the trail.  The topography was getting easier and easier and we were making great time. As we approached the Botanical Beach at km 46 Susan could not wait to strip to her undies and swim in the ocean; another of her bucket list items.  The rest of us enjoyed putting our tired feet into the cold, soothing water.

The 1 km out was easy peasy and we finished the trail having hiked 14 km in 6 hours that day.  This had turned out to be a much easier day then we had anticipated when we could not get a consensus from our fellow hikers on how treacherous it was going to be.  We were done and it was only 2pm.

We were going to have time for a burger and beer at the local pub.  I was ecstatic!  This was the moment I had been waiting for.  The flat 3 km walk up the road to Port Renfrew was easy but became even easier when a friendly good Samaritan stopped her panel van and transported all of our packs for us while we walked this last stretch.  That was a big weight off, literally.

In conclusion, this was an incredible experience for me.

Friendship

Camaraderie

                                   

Serenity

Scenic beauty

Wildlife

More wildlife

Here are many examples of the varied terrain:

C

Here are many examples of the beautiful flora of the area:

And here are some examples of the amazing fungi (that everyone thought I was kind of crazy to be photographing):

Lastly, I would like to thank each and every lady that I enjoyed this trip with.  You have each contributed to my thorough enjoyment of this adventure.

To Susan for orchestrating this whole escapade.
To Jocelyn for leading the way.
To Denise for navigating and time keeping.
To Jane for your continuous smile.
To Barb for your ever positive attitude.
To Alette for your entertaining songs on the trail.
To Joanne for your knowledge of the coastal waters.
To Anne for your entertaining sense of humour.

A few last tips for future JDF Backpackers:
Each campsite has a Food Cache that looks like this:

Any time you want to get from the beach to the JDF Trail,  look for an orange ball like this:

Friends who feel like family.

Recently we've had some great times with old friends who were once like family and who frankly, still are.

Nine years ago, two families who were very close to us moved away at about the same time.  We were so sad, but everyone's lives move on and take their own course.

A couple weeks ago, one of those families moved back to our community.  We are ecstatic!  This is a family whose children spent so much time here, they felt like our own.  And it's their place where my kids spent so much time, it was like their second home.  It's the home where Blake learned what a clothes iron is.  It's the home where I knew my children were safe after school when I was working.   We moms worked opposite days of the week and our girls were the best of friends so it just made sense to swap daycare duties.  It was a great arrangement for many years.

The other family moved even further away.  Our eldest sons were best friends.  A year after they left, Derek went to South Carolina in the summer and spent 3 weeks with them.  He caught his first fish there, a flounder.

This fall, they returned for a visit.  They were settling their youngest in at SFU so this gave us a great opportunity to spend time together.  We wined and dined, fished and kayaked, and even went to an Eagles concert.  We had a great time catching up.  Alan took Derek fishing again and this time Derek caught his first salmon.  Likely his first of many as it seems he's caught the fishing bug.

Both of these families were like us when it came to the big holidays of the year.  They too, had no extended family living near to them.  So they were the "go to" families to spend Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas with when no one had family coming to visit.  They were great times with great people and I have such fond memories of our times together.

I am so grateful to have had over a week to spend time and reacquaint with the Donald family from South Carolina and I look forward to going down to visit them someday, hopefully soon.  I also look forward to times ahead with the Newman family right here in Deep Cove now that they are no longer that long drive to Abbotsford away.

Friends are only friends until they feel like family........and then, after that, they are "special friends".

So thankful to have these special friends who feel like family.

Marvel

It is a rare occasion that I am up before my husband but today he is having a much needed sleep-in so I find myself the only one up, enjoying my morning coffee and catching up on my emails and the few blogs that I follow.  One message told me it was time for me to blog again.

Now blogging is not something you can force.  The mood has to strike you; something has to suddenly pop into your head that needs to be said.  Trying to force a blog would just cause a huge writer's block.

So, I thought "Hmmm, I have no idea what to blog about today; don't think it's gonna happen".

But then, I read my beautiful daughter's latest blog.  I guess she's been in the blogging mood a lot lately as she's had quite a few recent posts.  They are always such a delight to read.  Sometimes she goes months without blogging and I sadly log on to see that there is nothing new to read.

Today, I was not disappointed.  She had a new blog to entertain me on my lazy Sunday morning.  Today I marvel at this person who is my offspring.  Today, as all days, I am so proud of this person and although I helped raise her, I can't take any credit for some of this "amazingness" that is her.

I marvel at her insight and maturity at the tender age of 19.  It makes me wonder just how much more awesome she can become as she matures even more.  I marvel at her connectedness with nature and her appreciation for the great outdoors. I marvel at her independence and strength; her kindness and caring.  I marvel at her gift for writing.  She has the ability to string words together to sound like music for the soul.  I marvel that this person is my offspring.

Today I marvel at how just the act of giving birth can cause you so much pride.

Today I am a very proud Momma.  Luv you gurl!

Can't Believe It's One Year Down

Well, I haven't blogged for 8 months now.  Wow, time flies.  My last blog was all about the fact that Lisa was heading across the country to Halifax to go to University.  Well here it is 8 months later and she is officially finished her first year.  It's hard to believe.  She was only home for Christmas yet the time flew by.  Like all things, you adjust.

On the negative side, I miss having all three of my kids under my roof.  On the positive side, I don't miss cleaning up their messes or listening to their bickering.

Lisa is now home for a 1 week stay before heading off to her summer job, 9 hours away, at Fairmont Hot Springs.  It's not a long visit but it is better than nothing and we hope to travel there, once or twice this summer, to that beautiful location tucked away in the slopes of the magnificent BC Rockies.  I look forward to visiting her there and soaking in the hot pools of the place where I remember my one and only family summer vacation as a kid.  I remember camping there, playing with a little girl from the next campsite, and needing help from my big brother to climb up the hill to the pool.

We are also anxiously awaiting Derek's return from Singapore.  After studying there for 4 months, he continued on to do a one term Co-op job as well.  By the time he returns at the end of May, he will have been gone 10 months.  We can't wait to see him as the communication during these months has been quite scarce due to poor connections, time difference and let's be honest, his lack of desire. 

So, I can't believe it's "one year down" for Lisa's University career and I can't believe it's "almost" "one year down" since we've seen our eldest son and I can't believe it's "one year down" until our baby (sorry Blake) finishes his last year of Highschool and heads off for his adventure, whatever that may be.

Life goes on, kids grow up and parents adjust.  Can't complain; life is good.

Sad and Excited

Well, Lisa will be taking off for Halifax bright and early Sunday morning; off to start her adventure at Dalhousie University.  I am very happy for her; I suspect it will be some of the best times of her life.  New experiences, learning, exploring the other side of our country, meeting new people...........it all sounds so exciting. 

I've already adjusted to Derek being away; he's in 4th year now but none the less, it is sad to see your children leave the nest.  He is studying in Singapore right now and although we miss him, again my enthusiasm for this great adventure of his far outweighs that.  He is gaining invaluable life experiences, great business insight and unforgettable travel opportunities as well as meeting people from all over the world.  I couldn't be more thrilled for him.

So, yes, I am sad that very soon, not one but two of my children will be gone from the nest but my excitement for them is greater than my sadness to see them go.

Look out Blakey, there is going to be a lot of attention thrust upon you.

Love my kids,
Abby

Happy 10th/9th Anniversary to the Pressy Ladies

Last weekend marked the 10th year for my annual Pressy Lake trip with the ladies.  It started with a group of 4 women, all with children at Cove Cliff, who enjoyed hiking together while the kids were in school.  One of those hikers, Sheila, mentioned her cabin on Pressy Lake.  We boldly said, "Could you invite us up there with you some time?" And that was all it took------the invitation was offered, accepted and the trip planned before you could blink an eye.  Between the 4 of us we had 3 children in Grade 6, 1 in Grade 5, 3 in Grade 3, 3 in Grade 1, 1 in Kindergarten and 1 preschooler.  So, it is not hard to conclude why we desperately needed a weekend away, just us moms........no kids; no husbands!

Thus started the Annual Pressy Weekend.  Since Sheila teaches at Capilano University, we plan our weekend to be when her school year ends and she can get away, usually late April or early May.  By the second year, 2 more moms jumped on board so there have been 6 "Pressy Ladies", as we call ourselves, for the past 9 years.  These 2 both have girls who are my eldest son's age and 1 has another daughter 2 years older.......so, 15 offspring in all.  The 6 of us fill the beds in the cabin and max out the space in Sheila's big SUV that she drives us up there in.  It is the shortest 5 hour drive ever as we all catch up on eachother's lives, laugh, talk, nap, snack and read our way up there.

Pressy Lake is about 30 km from 70 Mile House in the beautiful Caribou country.  It is peaceful, scenic and wonderful.  We all take turns cooking meals and with everyone pitching in on dishes, it's a snap.  We enjoy laughing, hiking, canoeing, reading, knitting, laughing, talking, napping, laughing.......you get the picture.

What started as a retreat from our young needy families has grown to much valued time with dear friends.  Our kids are all older now, the demands at home are much less for most of us but this time away is still very cherished. Our friendships have been growing year after year and I hope to one day write about our 20th and maybe even 30th Anniversaries!

To the Pressy Ladies-------you are 5 of my dearest friends; Happy 10th/9th Anniversary!

20 Years of Fun, Friendship and Fitness

There is nothing so cohesive as a group of women with a common goal.  And for the ladies of the North Shore Thirty Something Women's Soccer League, that goal is fun, friendship and fitness.  I attended a banquet last weekend, celebrating this league's 20th Anniversary.  It was a thing to behold.  The founder, Linda Sullivan, was there and how proud she must be.  In 1992, seeing a need for an over 30 soccer league, she started one here on the North Shore.  It was the first of its kind in the Lower Mainland.  They pulled together enough people to start with 6 teams that year; many of whom still play today. Three years ago, as this group has all aged together, a new branch of the league opened up; the Over 45 Division.  This is a completely optional division; you don't have to move there just because you turn 45. So this year, as the league celebrates it's 20th season, there are now 14 teams in the Over 30's and 4 teams in the Over 45's.  It is so fantastic to be out there enjoying the great game of soccer with all of these women.

I have had the pleasure of playing in this league for the past 18 years and hope I am doing it 18 years from now.  This is not an unreasonable goal as there are women that old and older still playing.  It is also so great to see that there are now mothers and daughters playing soccer together on the same team; how cool is that!?

Soccer is a fun sport, a great form of fitness and the friendships I have formed with so many women over the last 18 years are irreplaceable.  Thank you Linda!