Thursday, June 24, 2021

Friday Favourites: Five Scenes from Sea and Forest

 


After eleven nights on the water I was glad to arrive home and sleep in my comfortable and spacious bedroom. The trip was wonderful; relaxing and interesting. We boated and hiked, read a lot, met some fascinating people, ate well, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of this part of this world. There are thousands of islands and islets between our home island, Vancouver Island (distinct from the city of Vancouver on the mainland), and the rest of our province of British Columbia, Canada. It's a popular place for boaters, but with the border still closed between Canada and the USA only Canadian boats were seen this year. 

There were plenty of scenes like the one above, mountains and ever-changing skies, forested islets and islands, and water that varied from choppy to rolling to smooth. Layers and layers of texture and colour. 


During the last century, this region was populated by fishermen, loggers, trappers, guides, and people just wanting to get away from civilization. Many of the small towns and settlements have disappeared, and the coastal population is much less than in the past. Remnants of settlement linger on abandoned docks like the one above, where a wild rose plant has somehow found enough soil and nutrients to grow and bloom. 




With the availability of satellite internet connections, and the ability to work remotely, more people are moving back to these remote areas. Many are accessible only by water - boat or seaplane. 

From our boat on the first day of our trip we spied the osprey above checking things out. I guess we must have passed inspection for he flew off, looking for fish elsewhere, I assume. 


We watched the heron and the merganser approaching each other from opposite directions and wondered what interaction they might have. Zero. Like ships that pass in the night they gave no indication of being aware of each other, both intent on their own plans.


The world is full of so much that astonishes. "It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world," poet Mary Oliver writes. Tim saw the elaborate spider web on a sailboat (not ours) and pointed it out to me. Each fine filament is beaded with moisture. Such a wonder. 

As Mary says, "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."

We're off again to see my parents (hooray) this weekend! It's been 10 months since we've been together. The next few days are predicted to be very hot, so I'm sorting out the lightest summer clothing to wear. 

Have a most wonderful weekend, dear readers.


24 comments:

  1. How lovely that you can travel on your boat to see such wonders. Despite not being able to do more global travel you have so much beauty on your doorstep. One thing that this pandemic is doing is making us all appreciate our locality. Have a great weekend with your parents. B x

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  2. There is so much beauty where you live and boat. Have a wonderful time with your parents.

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  3. Your adventures sounds wonderful, relaxing, observing nature. Perfect!

    Enjoy time with your parents! It has been a long, trying time for everyone.

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  4. You have shown us so many beautiful coastal spots over the years. Enjoy your reunion with your parents.

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  5. Home already! Wow where did that time go!
    So pleased to see that you and Tim had such a great trip - it must have be so peaceful sailing through such awesome BC scenery.

    Mary Oliver always says it right - words and phrases which one wishes one could have written down for posterity. Of course then we'd all be poets of note and perhaps that would be far too ordinary.
    "It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world," - how very, very true.

    Enjoy the long awaited visit with your parents - hope so much they are well and know you will all have fun together.
    Hugs - Mary

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  6. Oh my! That spider web is magnificent. Glad to hear you had such a nice boat trip. The government here is sending the military to malls and other establishments (restaurants, cafes, gyms, salons, etc.) where it has deemed non-vaccinated people will not be allowed to enter come Sunday. We registered many months ago and while my husband will get his second dose on Sunday, I've still not received an appointment and I know people signed up since December who still have heard nothing. Instead of getting better, things just seem to be getting worse here. :(

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  7. Lovely words, lovely photos and lovely news of your visit with your parents!

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  8. What a great way to see places in our province most of us will never see. Sounds like an amazing time! That spider web is a masterpiece! Stay cool this weekend…if that is even possible.

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  9. Amazing trip but I'm sure your own bed, was welcome. -smile-

    Enjoy your time with your parents!


    🍓 🌝 🍓 🌝 🍓

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  10. I have to admit that since I started blogging back in 2006 I have paid more attention to the things around me and the wonders to enjoy. You had a nice getaway. I do understand the joy of falling into your own bed again!

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  11. I'm amazed that the wild rose was able to grow in such a spot.
    I'm sure your visit with your parents will be the highlight of the weekend. Too bad it's so very hot. Have a great time anyway.

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  12. Oh those images are so peaceful and so beautiful. Enjoy every moment with your family!! Take some photos for us!

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  13. Beautiful, simply beautiful everywhere you look. Enjoy your time with your parents.

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  14. Thanks for sharing this amazing beauty, beauty not seen on the prairies.

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  15. What an adventure and surrounded by beauty, a real delight. Despite that it must be nice to be home and sleep in the comfort of your own home. Have a wonderful reunion with your parents.

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  16. Beautiful post. Your trip sounds fantastic, and soulfully rewarding.

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  17. So pleased you had an enjoyable trip, very nice photographs.
    Have a lovely time seeing your parents.

    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  18. Long time no see Lorrie and it truly is as you mentioned so nice to be at home and sleep in the comfort of what you know. I took care of my identical twin sister for 13 months, partly during the Covid pandemic at it's worst. She passed away a year ago this month from lung cancer and I have had a difficult time getting myself started doing what I enjoy once again. I took up dot painting and will share that soon. It gave me time to meditate and quiet my spirit when it was just such a devastating time. Hoping you all are well~

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  19. I love the spider web, like nature's lace. And what an adventure you've had, Lorrie! It all looks so refreshing and amazing.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. It's lovely to come home even after a realaxing trip. Nothing is quite as good as your own bed. How fascinating to see tiny remnants of settlements along the coast, dont you wonder who planted that rose bush and what happened to her?

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  21. How wonderful to get to go on an adventure like that! I love the spider web and just hearing about what you did while you were on your boat. Love those quotes at the end too. I've not been on a boat many times in my lifetime so I'm trying to imagine it.

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  22. Gorgeous! I do love Mary Oliver. "Be astonished" Yes! for sure!

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  24. Anonymous12:50 AM

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