a week on the west coast trail

it has been about a week and i am starting to get back in the grind of things. the camp stuff is FINALLY packed away for another year so i thought i would work on some posts as i do have plenty to say about this trip. first up (because my mother is dying to see some pics) is a little slideshow of what we saw (and if you are going) what to expect on the west coast trail. enjoy!

ladders: there were tons of these. one section with 200 rungs alone. let's just say i probably have buns of steel right now, he he he. our friend anita, knew extensively about the ladders as they were her nemesi. BUT she conquered them even with her fear of heights! even though she may have (a couple) war wounds here and there...regardless, GOOD JOB ANITA, YOU DID IT!

mud: yes, like the north coast trail this one was full of mud. luckily for mark and i we were quite used to it, and the trail seemed FAR better maintained as there was extensive boardwalk. i was extremely thankful for my gators as they kept me clean during the majority of the trip (a christmas present) well used. some of us did not fare so well as anita's boyfriend, fraser soon gave up and just trounced through the mud pits.
other mud things: also amongst the mud was the slugs. everywhere. one was roughly 9 inches. i was lucky enough to hold one as it was smack dab in the middle of a ladder as i was coming down. he, sadly, didn't make out as well (i have a tight grip, what can i say??)

bridges: another conquered fear of anita's. yes the log bridges and suspension bridges. i personally loved them as i felt i was at circus camp and i was a trapeze artist. she, didn't take to them as fondly. but she did do a far majority (when mark and her had the chance they would go down and back up, hence the upward shots of me on them). i did enjoy the suspension bridge as well as me and fraser may have swung on it....

wildlife: probably one of the more magnificent hikes for mark and i when it came to seeing things. at one point there were two bald eagles in the air to the right and grey whales bobbing up and down in the water to the left. where does one even look? plus many anemones, starfish, a black bear (forgot to put that picture in) sea lions, birds of all shapes, crabs, and fish...it was amazing. our own private wildlife zoo! :) my favourite part (similar to the north coast) was running through the seagull flock and watching them fly...until they started defecating....he he he

beauty: again, in terms of beauty it was amazing (although i probably would still pick hawaii for the warmth and tropical atmosphere). but where do you go when you get not only one but two gorgeous waterfalls that you can swim under? i hadn't found that place until now. not only that but the ocean was gorgeous during fog, sun, and rain. we saw all sides of it with tide going out (up we went on the sand beds or reef) or in (walking on the sand). oh water how i love thee! :)

love and friends: going on this hike gave me quite a new perspective on hiking. i thought back to some of my hikes and some have been less than joyous compared to others due to injuries or difficult terrain. this time around i was approaching the hike with a certain amount of apprehension as i wasn't fully willing to trust what we were about to do (last year's hike was so difficult). having friends around, watching them as they truly appreciate what we were doing, giving the area a vast amount respect, and greeting it with new excitement helped me get more excited and be more appreciative of what me and mark have been doing for 4.5 years. for that i am grateful as my friends have given me a gift! :) AND to watch mark, glow with happiness at everything around him from the wildlife, to the gigantic trees, to even the mud on the ground made me realize how much he really does love this and have such a deep passion for it. so this hike gave me so much more and to my love and friends THANK YOU! :)

love