Archive for April, 2010

Big Trees – the Avatar Grove

Sunday, April 18th, 2010



This morning, we headed west from Sooke, travelling the South portion of the Pacific marine Circle Route, towards Port Renfrew. At the wheel was well know Giant Tree hunter, Maywell Wickheim. I was riding shotgun with Jacques, Paddy & Beverly in the back. A few kilometres down the road, we picked up a hiker heading for Port Renfrew and the Juan de Fuca trail. Our destination was Avatar Grove, just north-west of Port Renfrew. An hour later, we dropped the hiker at the Coastal Kitchen and took the road towards Lake Cowichan. After we crossed the second bridge, over the north arm of the San Juan River, we turned left, leaving the road to Cowichan. Seven kilometres farther,  along the Gordon River Main, we arrived at Avatar Grove. Just across the small bridge was our parking spot for the day.

To our immediate left was Upper Avatar and downhill we would find Gordon River Avatar Grove. As soon as we left the road and climbed up the steep bank leading into the forest, we found Ancient Trees. The uphill wall became easier as we entered the tall forest. After spending an hour, rooming amongst the giants, some as much as 34 feet around the trunk. We crossed a small steam and faced what is now known as Canada’s Gnarliest Tree. The area was scattered with huge, old trees, some of them older than Maywell, some would be about 900 years old. Moss and ferns were everywhere, making a blanket of spring green that even cover a few of the trees. No wonder photographer, TJ Watts loves this place.

Back to the road for lunch on the bridge, a bit of a break looking down at the creek far below the bridge deck and then downhill to check out the lower portion of the grove. Lots more to see, but a bit tougher going. The trees were not quite as large, but they were certainly a sight to behold.

The scramble back up hill to the vehicle was a workout. Back at the vehicle, the R.C.M.P. were waiting for us. They were looking for someone starting a backwoods horticultural operation, but when they recognized Maywell, we all had a good laugh and headed back home. Truly a day to remember.

Neil

Fun Zipping

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

WOW!! What a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Three friends decided to take the plunge and do the Adrenaline Zip Line. We arrived at our appointed time to meet two very professional and excited young guides who instructed us with all the safety procedures and helped us with the gear. There were 6 others in our group; a young couple from Victoria, a couple on their honeymoon from Yellowknife and two ladies from Portland. We headed up the bank to the practice line. You hook on; you step off and fly along until the guide puts the brakes on at the other end. We were all proud of our first run and excited to continue the adventure. We were then escorted into ATV’s that take us up the mountain to the start of the 7 other runs. OMG what fun, we climbed up boardwalks hanging high in the air to platforms attached to huge trees and started the next two hours of laughter and shrieks as we all took turns flying through the air, hanging only from a small thin line. (They don’t ask you your weight but they have a maximum of 270 lbs.). We are high off the ground flying from tree top to tree top. We hang upside down, we swing our legs and arms and we curl up in a ball to go as fast as possible. Before we know it the two hours are up and we’re back on the ground. We thank our guides and head to the 17 mile pub for lunch, where we toast our bravery and review all the great photo’s we took, laughing all over again. What a great day, try it, you won’t be disappointed.

Mayor Janet Evans