magical mystic beach

It has been a long cold spring here in Victoria...and a busy one. My promise to myself to blog more often has been shamefully broken--again.

However, this latest adventure has left me with such a feeling of joy and inspiration that I just had to take the time to share it.

This Sunday was Father's Day, and to mark the occasion, we packed up a picnic and drove northwest past Sooke to Juan de Fuca Park, which is a huge Provincial Park containing drive and walk-in camping, and a long trail that begins just past Jordan River and ends at Botanical Beach, which is just south of Port Renfrew.

The drive from Victoria is about an hour and a half each way on windy roads, so it is a good idea to leave fairly early in the morning (this was something we failed to do, and then had to stop for gas and coffee along the way as well...my recommendation would be to fill the tank the night before, and to make that second cup at home before leaving...).

There are many trails and beaches in the park, but our destination was none other than the spectacular Mystic Beach. Parking for this trail is at the main trailhead for the Juan de Fuca trail system, just after the China Beach campground, and costs three dollars a day.

The trail itself is about two kilometres long, and a reasonable challenge for children. The five to seven year olds in our group zoomed very happily along the trail, jumping over roots and into mud puddles, across boardwalks and bridges, and along planks precariously balanced across muddy pits. Our three year olds were also very pleased to hike the trails, but needed to be carried about 1/4 of the time, and a little more on the way back after playing at the beach for the afternoon. The pinnacle of the trail for the children is the suspension bridge that straddles a small creek about twenty feet below. Little Abby called it the jumping bridge, and screeched joyfully for us to "look down!" as she crossed. Just six inches behind her and clutching the railings, I could not bring myself to do as she said for more than about half a second. She does not get her bravado from me, I'm afraid.

I have recently taken on a couple of clients with large treed sites in which we are trying to achieve a natural look, and certainly this trail was a wonderful place for inspiration. Nature is such a restrained designer in the deep coastal forest, with masses of sword ferns (Polystichum munitum), interspersed with splashes of deer ferns (Blechnum spicant), salal (Gaultheria shallon), and evergreen and deciduous huckleberry (Vaccinum parvifolium and Vaccinum ovatum). This is a garden in which you must pay close attention, that begs you to listen. The effect is calming, spacious, and contains no great pink rhododendrons or brightly coloured pots to distract your attention.

The last part of the trail is a huge fallen tree with steps carved into it that leads from the forest down onto the beach. And what a beach. It is sandy, nearly empty, and at its south end has huge cliffs with a waterfall that cascades onto the sand below. It is definitely one of the most interesting and impressive beaches that I have seen in and around the islands.

One of the best things about Mystic beach is that people are still permitted beach fires. The rule is that the fires are above the high tide line, and that only driftwood is used for fuel (as opposed to chopping up and burning live trees...). I think that one of the greatest pleasures in life has got to be eating food outside that has been cooked or warmed over a campfire. And if that fire is also on a spectacular beach, all the better. Our picnic consisted of chili, chips with guacamole, salsa and sour cream, bread and butter, and corn roasted on the fire and rolled in butter. For dessert, homemade chocolate chip cookies and fresh fruit. Mmm...