Sunday Afternoon at Thetis Lake

Here in the Pacific Northwest, more specifically Vancouver Island, we are, at last, basking in the warmth of summer. We spend every possible minute outdoors - eating, lounging, working in the yard. Summers are so very short and we take advantage of any opportunity.

This afternoon Tim and I took a walk around Thetis Lake. There are two lakes, Upper and Lower, and a trail goes around them both. The lower lake has a couple of small beaches that were carpeted with sun-starved skin covered by skimpy bikinis and swim shorts. Further along the trail the crowds dissipated. Although the afternoon was warm, our walk under the canopy of trees was pleasant. Filtered sunlight patterned the pathway, and I thought of Gerard Manley Hopkins' line "Thank God for dappled things."

The lakes meander through the forest where trees stand as sentinels on the shore. Occasional vistas open up on rocky bluffs.
 

Oceanspray (Holodiscus-discolor) is in bloom. A native plant, also known as Creambush, it was used by the First Nations in a variety of ways. The wood is very hard and was used for arrows and small tools, including prongs for reaching into fire because it doesn't burn easily. The leaves and flowers were used as medicine. 

The common name comes from its similarity to frothy ocean waves. It grows everywhere in our forests, its delicate prettiness belying the challenging conditions in which it thrives.

I'm hoping this beautiful weather lasts and lasts. The weather report shows cooling temperatures and no precipitation. I intend to savour every bit of summer I can.

Linking to Mosaic Monday, hosted by Mary of the Little Red House.