To reach a forest path Kayaking the Clayoquot Sound

a holiday Kayaking the Clayoquot Sound near Tofino where some of the oldest growth forests still lean to the sea watching the edge of the known world for you and for me -- Adventure therapy

I was kayaking for hours
and the channel before me looked a little choppy.
I decided to cross.
Little did I know of the battle of wind and waves
that would assail me shortly?

It was about a third of the way across
when I realized that the wind had picked up
coming in from the open ocean.

The waves were throwing whitecaps
and seemed to buffet me from every direction.
I could see the larger motorized watercraft
speeding to the refuge of Hot Springs Cove.

The waves grew larger
and hit me more often as I continued.
Turning around was impossible now. The two rules of safe Kayaking:
Don't stop and keep paddling.

My apprehension grew as the seas became more volatile.
I bobbed up and down with the goal seeming further away.
I paddled quickly and in earnest.
My awareness became acute.
I had to respond quickly to the larger waves
by rolling the kayak slightly into them.
They were breaking over the kayak
and splashed into my face with ferocity.

I closed onto Sharp Point where the waves were crashing
onto the rocks with there telltale white spray,
some new forces and wave action commenced.
I had to respond by tacking just right
and adapting with new vigour.
I had to attend to the insistent moodiness of the ocean;
I was in survival mode.

I could now see the Point and a Water Taxi
that had just passed me by came back out of the Bay
to watch my progress to the Point.
As I was bobbing up and down,
the Taxi would disappear from view.
It seemed whoever was in that Taxi
was looking to my safety if I should capsize there.

That was a distinct possibility,
as I found out later that I was in the middle

of 'Gale Force Winds' and a small craft warning.

I rounded the Point
and finally came into Hot Springs Cove
which was calm.

To my amazement I was in an old growth forest
with gnarly old limbs and old man's beard moss hanging from the branches.
The trees were very old and staggeringly tall.
The roots made nesting areas for my campsite
and the wide branches made for cover from the rain.
I was reminded of a Hobbit village.

After resting awhile I left on foot for the Hot Springs.
I turned into the forest
and began a 2 Kilometer trek on a raised planked path.

The forest is remarkable! It took my breath away at times.
The intertwined biology of the area was simply marvellous.
I walked with a heightened awareness
at the abiding beauty of an old growth forest.
I met a few folks returning from the Hot Springs beaming
with calmness and contentment.

Steam billowed up from the stream of water flowing by.
I walked around some rocks
and saw a waterfall the Hot Springs became.
There I saw some adults and children soaking in various pools
down from the falls in a large crevice.
The roar of ocean surf was not too far away.

I noticed a view through the crevice to the ocean.
From where I stood I could see great waves crashing into rocks
throwing up white water in all directions.
The contrast of the violence of the stormy seas
and the calm soothing heat
of the Hot Springs just a few meters apart was striking.

Some Native fellows showed up and prayed while soaking in the waters.
The older one introduced himself to me
and said that the People of the area regarded showering in the falls
to be spiritually and physically healing
and had done so for hundreds of years there.

I came through hell
and high waters to get to a forest path walked by few.

I felt peace and contentment with nothing more to do.