July 19th, 2009 by Chris Eng

Went on a hike around Buntzen Lake a week and half ago, or so. Know this streak of incredible warmth and sun we’ve been having recently? Take a guess as to what the weather was like when we decided to go. No, you don’t have to guess; I’ll show you:

Yes. It was wet that day. Or rather, it got wet when we were about halfway along. I know I look unhappy, but after an hour’s forced march through a torrential downpour, yeah, I was a little tetchy. Stella wasn’t that thrilled either and she’s one happy-go-lucky dog. What this hike proves, I think, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that even in the middle of summer we live in a temperate rainforest.

Other things I have learned from this hike:

1) Stella is a good dog and I will walk her any time. I knew she was a good dog before we left, but she proved it several times over the course of that day.
2) Always have a spare shirt waiting in the car. Hey, if it’s extra sunny you might need it ’cause you’re sweaty. And if it’s rainy…
3) Have a towel in the car, too.
4) Waterproof shells (especially ones that collapse down to a fraction of their size and which you can shove easily in your bag) are invaluable.
5) The mini-suspension bridge on the far side of the lake is good times.
6) Not many people walk on the smaller, off-shoot trails. This makes the smaller trails more relaxing. On the other hand, there are also large hills involved. There’s a trade-off involved.

Overall, though, I’m looking forward to going back on a day when I don’t have to carry an extra few pounds of water around in my clothes. Pretty trails; good hike.