Yesterday my older daughter, Lisa, and I drove up and over the mountain pass
(where there still is snow alongside the road), and went to South Beach, on the west coast, an hour and a half from here.
This is one of my favorite views, to the left of the Wickanninish Centre.
Lisa and Penny Joy
A sign alongside the trail warned of cougar and wolves in the area - it is that hungry time for critters, at the end of winter. It gave me pause, as Penny is snack-sized, and there were eagles about, also a threat, but we carried on, as I was so desperate to see South Beach. Thankfully the critters minded their manners and stayed away. Though I did hear an eagle's cry, within the forest.
Wild Woman and Brand New Cane, which I love!
Sigh. Incredible to have lived in such beauty for ten years. It blew me away daily, never became "old". The air smells invigorating there. The "energy" is stimulating and alive. I so miss it.
The waves were strong and roiling, with a very strong undertow. Penny had a wonderful time on the beach, running and digging and rolling in the sand. But then she ran right into the water. I hollered for Lisa who was thankfully close by. She ran into the waves to pluck Penny out just before the wave would have taken her away. She said she could feel the sand clawing at her boots, that's how strong it was.
Even humans get swept off these rocks and disappear. When I lived there, one summer a young teen was plucked off the cliffs at South Beach, his body never found. That has happened more times than one would think, at various locations along the coast. People who live there know the power of the waves, but many tourists dont, and go too close to the edge for safety.
So we were lucky, as yesterday might have turned out very badly. Thankfully, Penny is safe.
Relieved, after the rescue
On our way home, we passed the Kennedy Lake Bridge where the blockades were held the summer of '93, and I reflected on those amazing days of my life.
Catching a glimpse of the beautiful reflections in the lake, we had to pull over and snap some shots.......they dont show up too well here, but were spectacular in person. The lake was a mirror, and every cloud and mountaintop was exquisitely framed.
The day replenished my spirit.
I must get there more often,
in good weather.
