O Canada!

We awoke early this morning in an idyllic setting. Rested from the most peaceful sleep we have had in quite sometime. We are far removed from the busy highways that we have been calling home for near six weeks now. We are on Vancouver Island, which is part of the Canadian Province of British Columbia . We are situated in Saltair, on the eastern side of the Island. The Pacific Ocean is in sight and the Gulf Islands, some  a mere mile away within easy sight. Not even light rain can spoil this view.

As we are sipping our morning coffee, we spy 3 doe wandering in the yard feasting on the abundant vegetation that Dan and Ruth have on their property.

Dan took us this morning to Cathedral Grove, the largest stand of virgin Douglas fir trees in Canada.

The first thing I observed as we stepped into the forest is the way moss has carpeted everything. It really was quite a sight. It carpets the branches and trunks of all the trees.

It is amazing to observe the powerful force of nature knowing that trees that have been standing for over 800 years can be taken out by a single wind storm.

This reminds me of the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein; the old tree is the foundation for the new growth tree.

After the Cathedral Grove, Dan took us to Old Country Market in Coombs. Here they have everything imaginable from fresh markets, meats, bakery, clothes stores, hundreds of windsocks and ice cream to a great restaurant. 

And I say everything imaginable; for those who lack imagination, yes, they have goats on the roof.

And as we return to Dan and Ruth’s, the rain has subsided and this time, the bucks come out for a snack. This has been a wonderful day. This has been the first rain we have experienced on the trip since we first started out. Weather has been amazing. Today, we didn’t have to ride the bike at all; we drove in Dan’s truck. Though Ruth is not here, her presence is viewed everywhere from inside the house to outside, and yes, I even hear her laughter.

 

One thing I feel is in order to mention; we know many Canadians and remarkably, they all can enter into a reasonably intelligent conversation regarding current events in the United States. They know the name of the President along with a fairly considerable amount of information regarding current events in the States. How many of you can name the Prime Minister of Canada?

Till...Oh, his name is Justin Trudeau.

Till Tomorrow1