Southern Vancouver Island photoadventure - Day One Done - A review

Day one of our Shorts and Gaiters adventure was a fast and furious exploration of some of Southern Vancouver Island.

This is where we're going

From Places I've wandered

Here's how we got from the 4am sunrise in Victoria, BC to after dark on top of a mountain overlooking Duncan, BC.

We started by catching the sunrising over Mt.Baker from Gonzalez Hill in Victoria.

From 2011-07-13

Then it was off west up the coastline towards the Sooke Potholes. But we were locked out. So we rambled about the Sooke River for a bit.

From Wandering and Wondering

Further west we went. Over bridges and beyond. To the end of the road we sought the path.

From Wandering and Wondering

We went through mossy dark primeval to make our way to the bountiful and magnificent intertidal zone

From Wandering and Wondering

Two of our last three visits to Botanical Beach have been planned to allow us low tide exploration. Two of the last three visits we've seen a black bear fishing out sea urchins to eat. Coincidence? I think not!

From Wandering and Wondering

We walked the shore until a chasm we couldn't cross dryly, forced us into the woods.

From Wandering and Wondering

There was time for one last dash along the sea past all sorts of intriguing geology.

From Wandering and Wondering

then it was back into the shelter of the forest and to quest for the trailhead.

From Wandering and Wondering

Leaving behind the Pacific Ocean and Provincial Park we drove deeper into the mountains along less traveled routes which afforded great discoveries during bathroom breaks.

From Wandering and Wondering

We made a quick detour and discovered a giant spruce and a large maple.

From S&G Day1

We explored canyons most usually drive over and forget.

From Places I've wandered

We discovered an old suspension bridge that lead to an overgrown path of rusted debris and local history being consumed by the rainforest reasserting itself.

From Harris Creek Suspension Bridge Discovery

We explored a waterfall beneath an old concrete bridge footing alongside the road.

From Harris Creek Waterfall - A Shorts and Gaiters Adventure

And that's how we found ourselves over 200km, and approximately 16 hours from when we started,
cruising up a dirt road on the side of Mt.Prevost.

From Places I've wandered

I haven't mentioned that the car's radiator wasn't a happy one and that we always had to be aware of the potential of overheating.... as we continued up.

From Places I've wandered

Finally we had to stop and let the car cool down. What a fabulous time to dig into some photoadventuring food! Yes, we split a tub of cookies and cream ice cream while pulled over on the side of a logging road halfway up a mountain watching a Travelling Wilburys music video on youtube on Karsten's phone.

From Places I've wandered

A drive to the parking spot, followed by a brief but intense summiting as dusk fell led to the following photos

From Places I've wandered

From Places I've wandered

From Places I've wandered

then it was time to find our way back down the trail, mostly on it, in the dark so we could get things from the car and sleep before sunrise and the start of day two. Because this is a two-day adventure around Southern Vancouver Island after all.... ;)

see you in the morning ;)
MM

PIW - Botanical Beach Pt.6 - Through the Woods Home

Places I've Wandered - Botanical Beach June 2011 Pt.6 - Through the Woods Home

Leaving behind the sea, into the woods we went


past skunk cabbage along boardwalk


over gullies by fallen wood


down steps by ferny banks


down steps between ferny banks


beneath fallen burgeoning ecosystems and over puddles of brown


we were careful not to startle the wooded oliphant


as we darted from the foresty safety across the open shoreline and creek


beneath a guiding tree


and up


and up


to pass between giants feet


and offer a moment's Atlas Jr. support


before moving on


plank after plank


step after step


stand after stand


by hidden waters revelation


within close proximity of the sea


yet sheltered still


in safety's grove


but to move on and on we must


barring no obstacle


wise guides welcome


spread out before us


adorned in life and grandeur of time


upward and again the tedious ages of wonder


steps in a time and a place to never be again but always to be remembered.. past passed


routes rooted and shifting


shadows and light the boundaries of life


corners turned to turn again






his/hers along the return to civilization




Farewell new salmon berry growth


Farewell Botanical Beach



of course it was still only early afternoon on our two day Inaugural Shorts and Gaiters adventure.. so we rested up at the parking lot before seeing what the back route to Lake Cowichan had in store... you're welcome to come along for the ride ;)