Sat AM… I totally forgot to post the weekend link party! My apologies. Let’s give this weekend a miss and continue next week. Happy DIYing!
If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to visit Hawaii’s Kauai, you’ll know where I’m coming from in this post.
When I first arrived in Kauai, all I could do was look UP.
Towering tropical forests higher than nearly the eye could comprehend as real, layered with veils upon veils of rambling vines would wrap garland-style around you wherever you went. I always found the journey outweighed the magnificence of the island MUCH more than the destination!
I’d love to go back. When there is NO traffic please… if I won the biggest lottery in the land, part of the proceeds would be to move there and build my own private highway for myself, friends, family and locals only. Problem solved. Sign up as a friend at www…..
However until then… I’ve found a secondary fix that is much more local (and affordable) to me, that I greet each bike ride with a big jubilant, “Hi Kauai, I’m back!”
I’ll show you my secret place in a moment… first up, let’s do a little pretending.
Fall has hit the beautiful bike trails of the Vedder Rotary Trail in Chilliwack, BC Canada. While there’s still lots of fall to come, the wildflowers have morphed into cornfields.
Oh… I haven’t shown you my wildflowers shoot! I’ll share that soon.
I love how nature just swaps out one magnificent thing for another.
Sometimes I think I should change the name of this blog. I do love my funky junk! However life is so much more than about just one subject.
When you are fortunate enough to live in such close proximity to trails as these, it’s just so hard not to share.
As most of you know, I didn’t go anywhere this summer, as in jump-in-a-plane-like. It hard sitting still when cabin fever and wanderlust hit.
That’s where these bike ride adventures SAVE me. Daily. Much like watching a TV show or reading an entrancing book, I can mindfully morph myself to believe I’m anywhere when I hit these trails.
Perhaps today I live in a rustic log cabin along the wetlands infused riverbank, where I get a live daily performance of Canadian geese synchronize swimming.
Do you like my winding driveway? I never rake these gorgeous leaves by the way.
As I push aside the buffalo checked curtains from my panoramic log window frame view, I note my horse friends aren’t in view. Where did they go today?
There you are! I love your house. We should meet up over a coffee / sugar cube soon!
Yes… I do a lot of daydreaming while on the trail.
But not long ago, instead of focusing on the workout factor of the ride, I took a slow coast through the trails instead. And was astounded at what I had been missing at high speed all this time.
It was right before golden hour, when the sun was super selective. As I wound around this part of the path, I came into this little corner infused with the most PERFECT light… and foliage.
And am I ever glad I slowed down. I was right back in the likes of Kauai all over again. Right in my own back yard.
Welcome to what I deem BC’s Kauai. This small strip of forest trail is absolutely magnificent!
Where the trees reach as high as you can see…
…and everything is encased in those endless magical vines.
This area comes alive when the evening sunbeams hit. It’s like a little piece of the magical forest of Avatar. Some of the greens turn neon. Some of the leaves spring on fire. It’s breathtaking.
At times I do take this spot for granted. But not usually. I don’t know what it is about forest or jungle or rambling vine life, but it suctions me back daily. I just can’t stay away.
Sometimes I wonder, if this were really my back yard, would I be so spoiled I wouldn’t even bother hopping on a bike to see more? Maybe it IS better I live just outside the forest.
Something tells me I’d need some moving scenery regardless. I think the bike would ultimately win. Cya tomorrow, Kauai!
My junk decorating and sign making may be big passions of mine, however these local bike rides filled with Disney features certainly do take me on magical vacations and new homes in far off lands in minutes for absolutely free.
Wait… what pretending?
You can visit more bike ride adventure posts HERE
Gorgeous views of your countryside! I so enjoy your blog & creative spirit! Ride on beautiful woman…your fascinating stories & creative expression are a joy to behold!
Thanks for sharing,
S:)
Susan, sometimes I wonder if I’m boring anyone. What other story can I weave while riding these same paths?! I guess I could also try some newer to me areas… time to hunt! I have a new bike rack that I should try out…
Love your “nature” posts – funny how we always want to go on an adventure to parts unknown when in fact, our own “backyards” offer us so much to see. Oh to live with a grateful heart each & everyday to bask in the splendor of God’s beautiful creation right outside our own door! I could spend the rest of my life traveling the US & Canada & never see all there is to see. BC is on my bucket list as I’ve never been to that part of Canada. I love the pictures you share of this beautiful part of Canada & I try to catalog it so I can make sure that when I do get to venture out west, that I won’t miss these beautiful places you share with us.
Ride on sister & keep sharing this beauty, your thoughts & dreams with all of us………
Oh Vickie, I really REALLY need to get more adventurous in my own area. We have all the (Vancouver) islands I haven’t been to since a kid! Some never. I see pictures and am in awe I am so close, yet so far… As soon as I upgrade my truck (it’s become somewhat unreliable) I plan to strike out to new territory nearby.
Or take a chance and just go with the current truck… it may encourage me to get a new one if I break down somewhere foreign! haha
Thanks for appreciating our little neck of the woods! Literally…
Can you adopt me so I can travel with you!
Such big lichens!! Lovely photos and I am sure it inspires creativity and peace!
I learned something new, thanks Rose! I of course had to google lichen… so pretty!
beautiful BC…what a trail you have!
i love hearing about your adventures & daily life. I think that is what i have grown to love about insta stories.
i think your biz name is great…adventures of Funky Junk!
Ohhhh…. now I love the added tag of ‘adventures of’…! I’ll keep that in mind if I ever change my blog template!
I also can’t help but think what or how I’d post if I lived in a rambling farmhouse with a barn on a little slice of property… not giving up on that quite yet! Until then, I’ll be living vicariously through your blog!
I also love reading other’s off topic posts… everyone’s lives are so interesting!
Your rides are inspiring! And make me think of a slogan, originally Harley Davidson but adaptable for horseback riders, cyclists, and any type of ‘rider’ that gets into nature appreciation along the way:
‘RIDE TO LIVE, LIVE TO RIDE’
Love your ‘junk’ posts very much, too. We’re fellow junkers who moved from Chicago to a hobby farm with a 150 year old farmhouse last year. Enjoying the adventure and the hard work.
That last pic of log with mushrooms…divine! You should market that print!
Really?! Thanks for the gentle push! I really should use my Society 6 page a little more often it seems… I can sell any photo as a print… hmmm…
https://society6.com/funkyjunkinteriors
My face is red! Thanks for the reminder of your society 6 page!
Mine is redder! I never think to use it! Thank YOU! haha
Oh Donna! How far do you travel to reach the trails? Breathtaking about sums it up. Your bike is a midget beneath the trees. God, I love trees and woods. The photos always blow me away in their portrayal of the beauty. Just inspires my soul. Keep them coming.
Hey Joanne! I can reach the first trail within a 10 min bike ride from my front door step. This trail has me going across the river using the train bridge, so maybe 15-20 min to reach it. I always MAKE myself slow down appreciate this area!