Exploring Nature

The other weekend our family set out on a little trip to a local Salmon run. The little salmon fry were flitting this way and that in the rushing waters, a reminder of the true miracle of their long and tumultuous life cycle. A reminder to the big people at least. The little people were a bit more concerned with "fishing" and rock throwing.  Daddy had to hunker down for a lecture on leaving nature in its place.

But fun was had nonetheless.  Forest walks always remind me of my childhood. Every Sunday my dad would throw some salami sandwiches and a box of cookies into a knapsack and pile us all into the car to head off to some local wooded destination. Trails around Deep Cove, Dog mountain at Mount Seymour, Lynn Valley, Pacific Spirit Park, all places I grew up wandering around on Sundays in Vancouver.

Being here on the Island opens up a whole new world of foresty treasures to explore, and Goldstream park is one of our favorites. It has an easy trail, so Amelia can walk it; there is a nature house which gives the kids a destination; a river where you can watch salmon at various stages of their lives; and all the other lush and green aspects that make the West Coast of Canada one of the best places to explore.

The "fishing" didn't last longer than 30 seconds because daddy quickly pointed to the "no fishing" signs posted everywhere. But it started a good conversation about nature and conservation, and working together to help animals in the wild to thrive.

Speaking of animals in the wild, look what I spotted:

It's a Bluejay!!!  And he's really blue!!!

Have fun exploring your local nature!