(no subject)
I just got back from camping this afternoon.
I had a great time, though it ended too soon. I wish it could have had an extra day.
I met my friend Carrie and her boyfriend Scott at Five Islands park Friday evening, and pitched my new tent. We drank beer and ate party mix and s'mores around the campfire till after dark. That night, as I was preparing to turn in, I couldn't stop grinning stupidly. I hadn't camped last summer, and was SO happy to be out again. I'm going to make a point to do it a few more times this summer and fall, for sure.
On Saturday, we hiked up to Ward's Falls (I found a neat pic here), which was perhaps the single coolest place I've ever seen. Certainly in the top three. The hike's about 45 minutes to an hour, and ends at a rock wall about, geez, 60-70 feet high or something. The falls, which aren't terribly big this time of year, emerge from a cave, about 15 feet up, which you can get to by a ladder.. The cave (actually a crevasse that widens out near the bottom) runs back about 30 feet or so, most of which is wade-able. At that point, the floor drops away, requiring a swim of about 20 more feet, to a second, two-tiered waterfall at the back of the cave. Looking up, you can see a tiny ribbon of sky between the two rock faces, that in places are only a foot or two apart near the top. I didn't bring swim trunks, and I had friends waiting for me down below (the ladder climb was slightly daunting, if you're afraid of heights), so I didn't make it to the back of the cave this time. Also, it appears a mad scramble up a steep embankment on the left might lead to the top of the rock wall, which would be a pretty amazing view, I'm wagering... I'm going back there soon, because it's fricking cool, and I need to get pictures =)
That evening, Scott's artist friend Rob (website: http://www.periodmonthly.ca) and his wife Heather joined us, and we all cooked and drank till the wee hours. It was heaven. Packed up lazily this morning, but not before I ventured onto the Red Head Trail, which was closed due to some maintenance being done along the cliff face. I found a lookout spot without any safety fence (presumably the reason for the closure), and just stood at the top of this awesome cliff, looking out onto the ocean, and felt pretty happy to be there. I want to go back!
I normally drive the highway at about 130-140 kmph, but coming home today, I didn't rush. My mind felt quiet, and I felt comfy (if not a little grungy). I finished off a bag of oreos while I drove, and just chilled.
I had a great time, though it ended too soon. I wish it could have had an extra day.
I met my friend Carrie and her boyfriend Scott at Five Islands park Friday evening, and pitched my new tent. We drank beer and ate party mix and s'mores around the campfire till after dark. That night, as I was preparing to turn in, I couldn't stop grinning stupidly. I hadn't camped last summer, and was SO happy to be out again. I'm going to make a point to do it a few more times this summer and fall, for sure.
On Saturday, we hiked up to Ward's Falls (I found a neat pic here), which was perhaps the single coolest place I've ever seen. Certainly in the top three. The hike's about 45 minutes to an hour, and ends at a rock wall about, geez, 60-70 feet high or something. The falls, which aren't terribly big this time of year, emerge from a cave, about 15 feet up, which you can get to by a ladder.. The cave (actually a crevasse that widens out near the bottom) runs back about 30 feet or so, most of which is wade-able. At that point, the floor drops away, requiring a swim of about 20 more feet, to a second, two-tiered waterfall at the back of the cave. Looking up, you can see a tiny ribbon of sky between the two rock faces, that in places are only a foot or two apart near the top. I didn't bring swim trunks, and I had friends waiting for me down below (the ladder climb was slightly daunting, if you're afraid of heights), so I didn't make it to the back of the cave this time. Also, it appears a mad scramble up a steep embankment on the left might lead to the top of the rock wall, which would be a pretty amazing view, I'm wagering... I'm going back there soon, because it's fricking cool, and I need to get pictures =)
That evening, Scott's artist friend Rob (website: http://www.periodmonthly.ca) and his wife Heather joined us, and we all cooked and drank till the wee hours. It was heaven. Packed up lazily this morning, but not before I ventured onto the Red Head Trail, which was closed due to some maintenance being done along the cliff face. I found a lookout spot without any safety fence (presumably the reason for the closure), and just stood at the top of this awesome cliff, looking out onto the ocean, and felt pretty happy to be there. I want to go back!
I normally drive the highway at about 130-140 kmph, but coming home today, I didn't rush. My mind felt quiet, and I felt comfy (if not a little grungy). I finished off a bag of oreos while I drove, and just chilled.