I hiked along the cedar boardwalk built to protect the dank carpet of growth only known in rainforests. Bracket fungi cling to tree trunks, shaded by Old Man's Beard draped from every branch. In here, the senses are overwhelmed by the accompanying aromatherapy that comes with hiking through deep woods. The acrid smell of raw eggs wrapped in gym socks left to bake in the summer sun serves as the signpost signaling arrival at ultimate comfort in the great outdoors. You are at the end of the trail, at Vancouver Island's Hot Springs Cove.
Natural wonders
Clayoquot (pronounced clay-kwat) Sound is an area of coastal waters north of Tofino B.C. In January 2000, Clayoquot Sound became designated as the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The rainforests found in the sound are classified as coastal temperate and found on less than 2% of the Earth's surface. It is a rare and constantly endangered place even though currently protected. The natural beauty gives me a sense of belonging each time I dip my kayak paddle in these waters.
The Nuu-chah-nulth people, the original peoples of Clayoquot have a standard of thinking, which loosely translated means everything is one. The earth, sea, sky, kayakers, tourists, fishermen and loggers, our world, our economy and all things are one. It is this feeling that fills the air in Clayoquot Sound.
