Sunrise Beach Combing Tradition - Drew Harbour, Quadra Island, British Columbia Canada

Traditions 

There are many definitions to describe the concept of traditions. 

Often traditions are seen as something that we just do because they have always been done throughout the ages. Often I have found throughout my life that the common traditions lose their meaning as time passes. For Aaron and myself, we want traditions to mean something to us, to hold a very specific place in our hearts. I found that the greatest traditions that have been a part of my life have always been untraditional traditions. They're often small, simple and at the time never seemed like traditions, but for some reason always hold great importance. For example, when my sister and I were young, our father would make pancakes and always make them into the shape of something, like a cat, a house, fish and when he messed up the shape he was trying to make he would just turn them into a cloud. For Aaron, one tradition that has always stuck is leaving the Christmas tree up until the day after his birthday (Jan. 2). Recently Aaron and I have discovered we have started a tradition of our own. 

     Quadra Island is this wonderful escape, this wonderful piece of land that over the last year Aaron and I have grown to love. Each time we visit the island we get up one morning during our trip to watch the sunrise regardless if sunrise is at 5 A.M. or 8 A.M. and observantly walk the beach surrounding Drew Harbour. 

This beach combing sunrise walk has quickly become our favourite thing to do while staying on Quadra. Each morning we get up and the experience is always different. Every sunrise will be unrepeatable, the beach is always shifting and changing with each tide. The morning is always fleeing, preparing to turn to day. What I love about this tradition is how it reminds me that time is always passing and waits for no one. It brings me to the present and the now. It truly forces me to focus on the moment that is happening right in front of my eyes and forget about everything that I have been distracted by. As I have grown older I have noticed that my mind is always focused on the past or the future (worrying about paying bills, work, what to make for dinner, etc.)  but often I will forget about the present. Moments of the present seem rare, shrouded by the focus on the future. This tradition has become our way of forcing us out of our own minds. 

August Summer of 2013 

    The first time we got up to watch the sunrise was in August of 2013. this was the first time Aaron had ever been to Quadra Island, along with my sister, my bother in law and my nephews. 

We had woken up close to 5:00 A.M. in order to make it to Drew Harbour in time. The air was surprisingly cold for an August morning. We sat on a large rock that leads down the beach, here was the perfect vantage point to watch the sun rise from the horizon. Aaron and I sat in perfect silence, enjoying the warmth as it broke through the clouds. This was the most extraordinary sunrise we have ever seen. The light filled the sky with a vibrant and inconceivable pink, with glass-like calm water, which allowed for the ocean to reflect the sky. 

The first Sunrise we ever saw in Drew Harbour

     
     After we watched the sunrise we walked down the beach towards Rebecca Spit. We combed the beach head to toe, checking all the nooks of the beach. We stumbled across a large crab that still had not been torn limb from limb by the seagulls.

Aaron Feeling extra Crabby this morning due to the 5 am wake up 

Mussels that have consumed the large rocks in the bay 

    
     As we reached the middle of the bay I look down to find an old oyster shucking knife that someone must have lost into the ocean. It was a wood handled, rusted, Japanese and obviously sea water bleached knife. We collected all sort of different shells, rocks and sea glass along our walk. That morning was total bliss. As we reach the end the bay, we noticed it was filled with sand dollars of all sizes ranging from tiny to large all in different stages of life. Many were still a deep purple, but there was equally as many white dried sand dollars.  

 An Alive Sand Dollar

Kait wading in to collect Sand Dollars 

     After this we headed back along the road to home for some breakfast. From that morning on every time we have gone to Quadra we have gone to watch the sunrise and walk the beach in hope of seeing that unforgettable once in a life time pink sunrise and finding new treasures. 

                        August Long 2014

Kait find some Sea Glass before Sunrise begins  

It's Starting

     We had headed over to Quadra Island to visit Kait's mother who had been living there most of the summer. The trip was relaxing and full of swimming and beach combing. We had gotten up early on the second morning on Quadra. Both Kait and I were so tired and barely managed to get our butts out of bed. We had gotten up around 5:30 A.M. It was incredibly cold once again for August. We walked down the road and quickly reached the rock. Aaron and I set up our cameras, preparing for the sunrise. Aaron and I counted down the minutes for the sun's light to show. The sky was very clear with few clouds, which allowed for us to watch the sun slowly peak our from behind the mountains. I have never really seen the sun fully rise before, but on this particular day and the way the land is laid out you can see it from start to finish. The Sunrise was a rich yellow with a deep blend of gold contrasting with a vibrant blue. Its beautiful warmth dissolved the cold temperature of the morning. The sun created the straight line of intense light down the centre of Drew Harbour causing intense silhouettes of the tree line across Rebecca Spit and the boats who had dropped anchor for the night. 

    
     Once the sun had began to peak we noticed a few otters playing and splashing around in the morning sun. It had taken us a few minutes to figure out exactly what they were. We had never seen sea otters in the bay before, only seals. As they disappeared back into the water. We headed down the beach and began searching the beach for treasure the tide had drug in. The tide was higher than it had been the previous summer. 

Aaron and I found many pieces of sea glass, but nothing else. Once we reached the middle of the bay Aaron and I stumbled Across a wooden handled screw driver that looked incredibly similar to the oyster shucker we found the previous summer. It was a bit more rusted, but in good condition. Only a few feet away Aaron found an old glass paint container that has been aged and rusted by the sea. 

     The wonderful thing about beach combing is you never know what you'll find and the things you do you just never know how it got there, where it came from, and how long its been hidden in the movement of the tides. As we started coming closer to the end of our walk, satisfied with the finds of the morning, we spotted the largest moon snail shell we had ever seen and it was in perfect condition. Moon snails are the most disgusting looking creatures, but their shells are beautiful and always different. It was another great sunrise.

Live Moon Snail - Photo by Cathy Pengelly 

End of Summer 2014

     In mid-August, Kait and I went back out to Quadra to visit with her family again. We spent the first couple days relaxing around the Quattage and helped Kait's dad build a deck around the outside of the new addition they had just finished building. Most of our Friday was taken up by the work, but it was nice to be able to help out and learn while we were at it. We spent the Saturday and Sunday hanging out around the Quattage, visiting the HBI, fishing, walking beaches, and heading over to Campbell River for some grocery shopping. 

Waiting for a biter.

     

     Kait and I originally intended to get up on the Sunday to go watch the sunrise, and what she didn't know was that I was planning on proposing to her when we got to the beach that morning, but we had to change our plans a little. I wanted to talk to Kait's parents about it before I asked Kait because at the very least, I wanted them to be aware that I was planning on proposing (not to mention that having their support meant a great deal too). I had been trying to find a time when Kait wasn't around to talk to her parents, but I didn't have any luck for most of the weekend.

Happy dogs.

We took a walk along the beach at Cape Mudge and passed by its beautiful lighthouse.

     There was a brief period on the Saturday night where Kait went to have a shower and I had a chance to finally ask her parents, but needless to say, I was a little nervous and took too long trying to muster up the courage and Kait finished her shower just as I was starting to talk, so I aborted my first attempt. On the Sunday, around noon, I finally got a second opportunity, and this time I didn't waste it being a chicken. I finally managed to get the words out of my mouth, and my memory of the conversation isn't the greatest, but it went well. I even made Kait's mom Cathy laugh! It all worked out in the end, and the next morning, Kait and I got up for the sunrise. 

     I had her ring in my pocket, my camera in hand, and was trying not to be obvious or nervous looking. We got down to the beach just in time to see the sun begin poking over the mountains on the horizon. Kait saw a boat on the beach and wanted to take pictures of it but I had something else in mind. I was trying to set up a picture as an excuse to get her to stand where I wanted, plus I thought it would be cool to have a picture of the proposal, so I told her to sit still. I set the camera down on a nearby log, got the picture framed, and set the timer. I hit the button and made my way over to her, all the while counting down the time while the camera beeped away. Right about 5 seconds before the picture, I dropped to a knee and, well, you know the rest. She said yes (woohoo!) and we sat there together for a while, taking pictures and enjoying the sunrise together. 

Our view when we got to the beach. Not too shabby!

Sun is just poking out.

Setting up the next picture.

    

     we slowly made our way along the beach, combing it for glass and other neat things before making our way back to the Quattage so we could break the news. 

     It was a great weekend.

The picture worked out well too!

-K & A

Feeling the Burn of the Chief: Squamish BC, Canada

   
     This May, for Kait's 23rd birthday, we took a trip out to Squamish BC to hike the Stawamus Chief, a well known and very popular hiking trail that makes its way up and around the back of the 700 metre granite cliff face and gives hikers access to the top of the cliff faces.
     After waking up, we grabbed our breakfast bagels, filled our water bottles, and left for the Chief. After we made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up some sandwiches, watermelon, and some granola bars for the hike, we hopped on Highway 1 heading west out towards Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Right after the exit for the ferry terminal, the highway turned into Highway 99 which is better known as the Sea to Sky Highway, which eventually leads to Squamish, whistler and Pemberton.  We followed the scenic highway for about 45 minutes until we reached the parking lot at the base of the Chief just outside out Squamish.  We hopped out of the car, grabbed our day packs, and made our way to the start of the trail. We noticed along the short walk from the parking lot to the trail head that there were film crews arriving as well. We found out later that they were there to film some commercial. The poor crew had to hike all their heavy cameras and equipment up the trail.

The trail starts out flat as it goes through a walk-in campground. After roughly 100 metres of this, the climb begins and the hike goes from really easy to not-so-easy very quickly.

Looking up the trail at the start.

          Anyone who has ever hiked Grouse Mountain's The Grouse Grind will have a rough idea of what this hike is like. Although not quite as steep as the Grouse Grind, the trail leading up the backside of the Chief is still tough. While there is the occasional set of wooden staircases, most of the "stairs" are actually large boulders spaced semi-evenly apart. It doesn't take long to start feeling that burning sensation in your legs. Within 5 or 10 minutes, both Kait and I were breathing heavy and trying to ignore the feeling in our legs, as were many of the people we came across. Everyone was very polite of the trail allowing faster hikers to pass and opposite direction hiker would pause and allow those heading down to go by. Almost every person who paused for another hiker would say thank you and response with a " no problem is gives me an excuse to rest". Despite the the physical challenge, you can't help but notice how beautiful the scenery is. All around us we heard the chatter of birds and the sound of running water coming from a river running parallel to the trail.

The hike is wonderful and when you reach the top, it gives you the most spectacular view of Squamish and the surrounding area, but the view does not come without a price. The trail really makes you work for it.

     
     About halfway up the mountain, there is an opening on the right hand side of the trail with a large boulder perched on top of a smooth, solid rock hill. Kait and I took a break here to get some water and have a snack. I almost always stop here for a short brake on the way up and even here you get a nice view down the valley behind the Chief. The valley is covered in trees and offers a North-South view all the way down almost to the Sea to Sky Highway and it also offers a view of the new Sea to Sky Gondola.

Across the valley are more mountains with cliff peaks. After finishing up our snack, the two of us continued on up the trail towards the second peak, bypassing the fork in the trail for the first peak. The Squamish Chief has three peaks, kait and I usually go to the 2nd peak. 

    
     As we got closer to the top, the trail snaked its way up into a small corridor that ran up between the two cliffs that make up the first and second peaks. Here, the trail makes a series of switch backs and there are lots of trees and boulders on either side of the trail. When you get to the top of this corridor, there are more choices to make. Along the left hand side if you follow the rock face you will find a ladder made out of rebar bolted into the rock going strait up to a small lookout just below first peak. Although it may look like a way to access the first peak, don't let it fool you. It will only lead to a steep, slippery rock slope that is very hazardous to try to climb up. This is also a bad route to take if you're afraid of heights at all. Climbing up the "ladder" is relatively easy. Going down is not so easy. The rebar makes it easy to loose your footing and grip, and a few sections of the ladder are a bit of a stretch, even for taller people with longer arms and legs. In my opinion, the view isn't worth the trouble nor the unnecessary risk of getting up and coming down.

The ladder on the left hand side.

     The other choice on the right hand side leads you up along a thin strip of rock overgrown with trees and roots. While that might sound a little daunting to some, luckily the tree roots provide fairly good footholds and there is a chain bolted into the rock wall on the right hand side to aid hikers along their ascent as well as provide a little more security in case you slip or loose your balance. While it isn't necessary to use the chain to get up, some may find it useful. After we reached the top of the strip of rock, we doubled back across the top of the small cliff.

The way up on the right hand side.

     As you walk along this somewhat thin walkway, you are flanked on your left side by yet another steep rock face and the ledge on your right which falls away to the small corridor I mentioned earlier. We followed this walkway as it curved down and to the left towards a short crevice leading to a ladder. After making our way to the top of the ladder, we followed the hill up until we finally reached the top of the second peak.

The path after doubling back.

The ladder on the left, crevice on the right.

The view after reaching the top of the ladder.

     We stopped here at the top of the Chief to sit down, have lunch, and enjoy the wonderful view of Squamish and the surrounding area. While eating, we were approached by a few strangers that wanted to steal our lunch. About 5 little chipmunks and a squirrel raced around us and the others sitting nearby, racing in and grabbing crumbs of food when no one was looking and darting off as soon as we did. One or two brave ones even came and ate right out of another hiker's hand. 

Looking out to Squamish.

Looking to the left from the 2nd Peak.

Looking at First Peak.

     After our lunch, we began to make our way down around the towards the back of the Chief. To make your way back down the mountain, you can go two ways. You can either go back the way you came which a lot of people do, or like Kait and I, you can go down the back of the Chief. Not many know that there's a way down the back of the mountain and it can be a little difficult to find. To get to the trail, you have to keep heading roughly North from the second peak. While walking, watch downhill towards the right for trail markings. There should be bright pink or orange tape hanging from branches to mark the trail. Regardless of which way down you take, you need to be careful. After hiking up the mountain, many hikers have very tired, shaky, wobbly legs which can make the trip back down quite dangerous. This is especially so if you're going back down the ladder, through the crevice and along the steep cliffs.
     The trail down the back of the Chief isn't much better. While there are the occasional flat sections of the trail, most of the way down is spent walking down an old, steep, dried up creek bed covered in boulders ranging in size from a person's head to car-sized rocks. Not only that, the distance between them can be like walking down stairs, or it can be quite a drop, depending on the route down the trail you take. Don't get me wrong, if you have any hiking experience you'll do just fine and can find an easy enough way down, but if you're someone who likes a little challenge, you'll be able to find that too.

The view from the trail as it leads down the back of the Chief.

     Kait and I followed this trail down until we reached a bridge which we followed until we reached Shannon Falls, which is another local tourist attraction. We spent 10 minutes there taking pictures and resting before we walked back to the car for the drive home.

The bridge heading towards Shannon Falls.

Looking down from the bridge.

Shannon Falls.

     After we got back to Vancouver, we ended our day by going out to grab some dinner from Sushi Nanaimo and heading over to Third Beach in Stanley Park to watch the sun go down and the 9 O'Clock Gun fire.

     It was a great way to spend a day off.
     

We also got to see a naval helicopter fly over.