Botanical Beach and beyond: It was after this point in the day, about seven hours in, that I told Chuck that everything was crying except for my eyes. Another 60+ point:  it felt bad at the end of the day's hike, but at least for me, by the next morning I was ready to go again.…

Parkinson to Botanical: the rain forest portion. Dave says to me, "You look like you just stepped out of the shower!" "I'm not sure if it's sweat or the rain." Entering the rain forest portion we read a sign: Do not be surprised if you encounter rain. This rain forest receives 12 feet of precipitation…

Day two:  Parkinson to Botanical Beach.  We decided to change the order of the hike  to experience trees and trails of every shape and texture. If you only want to do only one day of the Juan de Fuca trail this is the one to do: After that drop off, there's a kilometer of beach…

Meanwhile, back at the camp: From my years as summer camp staff I knew we needed to have a skit at campfire, so I morphed into the camp fairy and dubbed my mates with their hiking names. I was, of course, Lifesastitch. C was Chuckwagon for his catering duties. Lynn was Bunny Hop because, for…

Day one – Chin Beach to Sombrio – Leave your fear at home.  Drove to the meeting spot by the side of the road so Dave and Jeff could switch to daypacks. First bit of advice to the 60+/-  crowd and those with recent broken ankles: find a friend who will maintain a base camp,…

Don't know what got into us. Four of us, three aged 60 more or less, came to the decision to hike the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island. You may have heard of the West Coast Trail, the well known BC extreme trek. Well this is the geographical continuation…

…I will have finished hiking three days of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Hopefully. It started out as the five day plan, but given the terrain of day two, and one year out from last summer's fractured ankle that refused to heal, three days seems more do-able.  However, Dave, of Blogless Marsha fame, and their…

The weather and me. In terms of weather it's a lovely complaint to have in this usually cool, dank rain forest. When it comes to me I can usually cope, but the combination of the two produces painting time.  Black Oak in snow. There's something about painting snow when it's too hot to knit. Off…

Further to my last post, this is what I learned as a promoter's mother: First of all, in my own home I was asked, "Do you work for Spry Bry (his professional name)? No, I'm his mother. Like this is his house and I'm his employee. I guess motherhood feels that way sometimes.  Band members,…

Last week: "Mom, I'm bringing in a band from France. Can they park their vehicle at our house?" This morning, phone rings: "Howdy, Maam, this is Uncle Don, you ready for a 48 foot rock and roll bus at your house?" "Bryaannntttt???!!! Bus arrives, as big as the house.  Knock on door, in steps tour…