It was a perfect day to get out of the city and back to nature.
"we MUST hike today!" I said almost exactly on the onset of awakening.
"What about your back?"
"Screw it," I said defiantly. "I want to hike."
So we found a nice, short (30 mins-ish each way), and minimally challenging route in Deep Cove on the North Shore.
The Quarry Rock trail is part of teh amazing Baden-Powell trail that crosses the entire North Shore.
With Boyfriend and Harley in tow, we crested Second Narrows, stopped at Honey's for the world's very best donut (crispy, warm, doughy, awesome), and headed up the route.
Harley was in heaven, as usual. Leading the way. Sniffing the bums of other trail dogs. Checking out every noise. Every branch. Lapping from running creeks and mini-falls. It was idyllic.
And me? I felt ALIVE!
The smell of the fresh air and the trees and the moss and the mud. It was an elixir I've been waiting for for a long time.
My back was sore, but not painful – for the first time in 7 months. And the more I pressed on, the better I felt. The stronger I felt.
"Wait up!" called Mike who usually has the helm. But I was on fire! I was alive.
Admittedly, when we arrived at the rock with a beautiful view of Burrard Inlet, I was sore and needed a solid stretch. So the three of us climbed the highest rock, sat on top of it, had a wee snack, and a sip of water. And just looked and breathed and lived.
For the first time since summer 2009, I felt like me again. It was a short but sweet gift.
Thank you Quarry Rock.
