A little earlier this week we found ourselves sitting under a cedar tree and enjoying the view. The day was warmer than we’d had for a while, and the morning fog had burned off, leaving blue skies and a touch of breeze. Driving out of Ucluelet, we made a last minute change of plans, and decided to skip the beach and find a different quiet place. The wild spontaneity of early middle age and having time on your hands!
We were on the inlet side in the Tofino botanical gardens, away from the rush and roar of the Pacific, and enjoying the sheltered calm of the mud flats. The tide was high, so no mud, but shallow water ruffled into ripples by the breeze, or the wake of distant passing boats.
Every now and then we could hear the faint roar of floatplanes taking off and landing further down the shore and just around the bend. Our shaded spot was bug free, and the air was a mix of cedar, salt and drying sea weed, punctuated with an extra waft of whatever Scout happened to be chewing – usually the largest deadfall branch she could manage. She’s yet to concede that some logs are too much for her…
A pair of herons flew past at one point, and a single bald eagle flapped over the island in front of us and disappeared from view. Behind us, the voices of other garden visitors exploring the trails could be heard from time to time, and we would sit quietly, hoping they wouldn’t discover “our” place on the shore. I know, not very friendly, or very mature, but then the spell would have been broken. Early middle-aged, not grown up.
The distant view was fine, the close up details were pretty, and we were in no hurry to leave, so we didn’t.
However, an energetic dog, and pins and needles from sitting on a log too long eventually had us up and moving on. We headed back to Ucluelet, and yes, we stopped at a beach to give Scout the run around she always needs. Or she gave us the runaround and we tried to keep pace.
Is summer almost over already? Here’s hoping for a warm and dry September! Maybe we will be sitting under the same cedar soon enough, perhaps sheltering from the autumnal rain…
Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful (long) weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Ah, the wild spontaneity of early middle age, and having time, as you say. I think I remember some of that in my own run, and that’s another reason I enjoy OPC. You keep me linked to my own equivalents of that cedary Pacific you relate so well. Thanks for that, and don’t work too hard this weekend!
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Walt, we are doing all we can to avoid working too hard, with our focus on enjoying “early” middle age as much as possible! That said, there has been a little preparation for me this weekend as I sort myself out and get back into the workforce. Our aim is for a life-work balance, where the work is life-enhancing. More to follow on that front, if it pans out right…
Hope you’ve had a great long weekend!
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What a lovely place to stop. My walks go for hours but I cover a lot less ground and really appreciate those logs, stumps and benches along the way. That is a very pretty portrait of Scout and nice to see the distant shores . I loved the second paragraph with its description, almost poetic. Hoping for some good weather this weekend. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Jane! I think you’ve got long walks just right – if there aren’t any stops along the way at benches or logs, it’s no fun!
Hope the weather has been cooperating for your long weekend.
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remember…..a dry September means the salmon will die in droves! They need the water.It’s been hot,the streams are low.We need lots of rain in the next few weeks to welcome back the salmon.
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An important point – I wasn’t really thinking – so here’s to salmon saving September rains! The forecast was predicting some heavier rain days over the next two weeks, then it changed to a less rainy forecast…
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they are on their way
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I love the dappled light in the two forest pics.
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Glad you liked those shots, Sherry. We were lucky to be able to enjoy that dappled spot.
Hope you’ve had a pleasant long weekend!
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Thanks. Hope you have fun too.
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How lovely and lucky to find that wonderful little place in the cedars to hide away for awhile.
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Finding these little hideaways is becoming a bit of an obsession!
I hope your travels have been fun this long weekend. I imagine roads and places to visit will be much quieter from now on?
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Just thinking about the smells of cedar, Salt and Seaweed has me longing for a bit of ocean time. May your September be wet for the salmon and dry for you. I guess a rain jacket will do the trick and make both happy to some degree. Cheers.
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Cheers, Mike! We have invested in rain jackets able to take on the rainfall of the PNW, so we say bring on the rain, especially for the salmon.
Hope you’ve had a pleasant long weekend!
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I like the word invested to describe rainwear worthy of the PNW. Although I hear there is nice return on the investment.
Have a great weekend.
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What a beautiful hiding place and wonderful photos, especially that lovely shot of Scout! Loved the soundtrack of your surroundings you captured with your words and laughed at the “early middle-aged, not grown-up” – a perfect hideaway and state of mind! Enjoy your weekend and the beautiful views!
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Thank you! It’s becoming a bit of an obsession when it comes to finding “our” hideaways along a trail. Definitely not grown up, but that’s ok! Scout can’t stay still for too long and gives away our location eventually!
I hope the weather has been what you’ve wanted for at least some of your long weekend! Spurs didn’t hold on in what looked a winnable game for them, but MUFC and Mourinho survived a little crisis. For now…
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Such a peaceful place, I enjoyed reading this very much. Love all your photos PC, especially the first one of Scout. Hope you’re having a good week. 🙂
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Thanks, Miriam! Yup, the camera likes Scout – although you’d know, it’s rare a shot of a dog comes out as you might like. The number of times Scout has moved on or turned away before the shutter works. You’d swear she knows and is laughing…
The week is going well, and I’m guessing you must be at your weekend already? Hope it’s a good one, with no bike tumbling, just fun!
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No bike tumbling PC, in fact tomorrow (it’s still Friday here) we’re heading off into the hills for an overnight camping trip. Looking forward to it. You and yours have a great weekend too. 🙂
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I enjoyed this quiet walk with the three of you, pc, immensely. I think cedar leaves, for lack of a better word, are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your hiding place, the trees, seaside, and a gorgeous close-up of Scout.
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Glad you enjoyed this one, Jet! Yes, the camera loves Scout, but not as much as she likes to move before the camera is ready…
We’re amassing quite a collection of favourite “hideouts” on the coastal paths, with the result being rather more sitting than walking! We were walking in the forest after heavy rainfall earlier today, and the cedar scent was strong – what a wonderful tree!
Mrs. PC sends her best, and we both hope you’re close to a return home.
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