I took a little trek up Mt Work awhile ago on a Sunday for some exercise, to see if it was was still the same as I recalled it and to experience and enjoy the beauty and magnificence that is there.  I had been there once before. On another website I read that the elevation is 2238 feet or 682 metres. For sure there are quite a few steps to the Summit.

Location: Mount Work Park, Saanich, Victoria, Vancouver Island BC  A 536-hectare Mount Work Regional Park bordering on Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, situated in the Highlands area of the Saanich Peninsula.

Along the way I met several groups of people including some young bucks huffing, puffing and sweating the climb up. Although I would describe myself in better condition this time than I was when I climbed it before, it surely did not feel like it! It is quite a steady climb up and up.  A few spots level off and you go down a bit and that makes you think you have already reached the top but keep on going as that is just to fool you into thinking you have made it there.   I managed to get off the beaten track for awhile and that was interesting and a bit exhausting as I worked myself back to the path.  As if the climb itself was not enough.

Here is a clue to let you know you have finally reached the summit.  It even comes with it’s own naked tree.  I figure that is appropriate to keep it company way up there.

Near the summit are many naked trees, aka Arbutus trees. I call them naked trees because most of them are as they lose their bark and underneath.  They are so soft and smooth to the touch.  From Wikipedia:

Arbutus is a genus of at least 14 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to warm temperate regions of the Mediterranean, western Europe, and North America.

These trees meander all over the place and are quite exotic and some even erotic.  Well hey, naked limbs all over the place.  This reminds me of one of my poems entitled My Friend. Similarities exist between the two but this was written from a different place and time quite a few years ago.

The view from way up near the summit is truly spectacular. It is well worth the trek up the mountain. You feel (the) spirit in all things and being part of it all and all there is.

Yes, the scenery around here is majestic, spectacular and varied from mountains, rain forest, mild climate and the sea. Is there any wonder I feel blessed to live in such a wonderful place!  That really is not a question at all.

May you be so blessed today and everyday.

Eugene

Sure there may be monsters lurking up the pathways of life and perhaps even Mt Doug as we have seen.  Fakers will be exposed so be careful where you tread.  I managed to tread carefully as best as could be and travel on and not retreat, although this makes for a nice retreat.  I am glad I did.

The essence of life and spirit is everywhere. This is a great way to meditate, sit awhile or a walking meditation. Ha, even Lydia could meditate up here!

So along the pathways I kept wandering and meandering up and over and around and I did discover more treasures not all of the wooden kind.  Scenic treasure of lush green and colorful abundance.

Trees around here some of which are many hundreds of years old.  Here is an old tree giving life to a new one.  The new tree is growing and feeding on the old decaying moss covered tree remains.

This stuff growing on the trees is called someone’s beard or something.  Old man’s beard I suppose.  When it dries it is really neat and you can make it into craft material and such.  It goes grey or white when dry.

There are some humungous trees around here and a real northern rain forest type of environment.  So it is very nice to view.  Look up way up!

Springtime is special with all the new growth coming through and the regeneration.  Old gives way to youth eventually and so are reborn and renewed.

Ok, so those are a few more of the delights I found in the forest to balance the monsters and to provide contrast, nourishment for the soul.  I do like to discover and rediscover the hidden treasures of the wooden and earthy kind.  Mother Earth you are so wonderful.

Cheers,

genes creative waves