Swimming Upstream

Here's a real Giving Tree - Cathedral Grove Provincial Park has a clever way get a little more public support.  We are all admiration for the Provincial Parks in BC - they are so well managed and have great interpretive signs.

Perhaps, dear readers, you have seen enough trees.  We cannot get enough of them, so bear with us.  This grove of virgin trees is truly like walking the hushed interior of the greatest cathedrals.

On New Year's Day in1997 a huge wind storm tore through the forest. Hundreds of majestic trees were knocked over and thrown around Lincoln Logs.  The fallen giants now sprawl across the forest floor providing habitat for new trees, plants and fungus.

Hilda and I like the hideyholes that remind us of childhood fantasies of making little homes in the trees.  She had such a tree cave near her Rhineland home. 

A friendly lady from the Port Alberni Visitor Center has a mobile unit at the park and tells me about Stamp Falls. Right now is an opportunity to see thousands of salmon swimming upstream to spawn.  Though it means backtracking 30 minutes, our group is convinced to go.  It is really something to see!  My iphone camera is hardly up to the task, but you can see a 3 foot salmon leaping UP the falls in this picture.

Thousands wait in the waters below to rest before attempting the climb up the rushing falls.  Fish ladders have been installed along side the falls to improve their chances.  We are all gratified that we invested a couple hours to see their amazing journey.

We head on to Nanaimo where we will catch the ferry back to Vancouver at tomorrow at noon.  The Canadian Adventure 4 trip is coming to a close.