Stories from Sarah
British Columbia
In the Summer of 2016 I took my first big trip by myself to visit the West Coast so I could dip my toes in the Pacific waters. To say that I was scared in the days leading up to the trip is an understatement. I had been used to camping and hiking adventures with my best friend Heather, but I had never really done any big hikes by myself so far from home. What if something happened where I needed help and there was no one else around? All of the warnings I came across on the internet about the dangers of hiking solo certainly didn’t help my fears of twisting an ankle, breaking bones, falling off of cliffs, being attacked by bears/wolves/cougars/wild BC animals that I hadn’t even heard of, and/or being kidnapped by strangers. I had debated a lot about bringing along bear spray, but in the end I had decided against it, which only strengthened my fears. People took solo trips all the time, right? This was going to be an educational experience for me. I was going to leave with a newer understanding of myself… right? The whole stronger-probability-of-dying-by-myself-in-the-West-Coast-of-Canada thing was really freaking me out though. The morning of my flight out of Halifax, I hugged my parents extra tight when I said goodbye.
Schooner Cove Trail, Tofino
In the Summer of 2016 I took my first big trip by myself to visit the West Coast so I could dip my toes in the Pacific waters. To say that I was scared in the days leading up to the trip is an understatement. I had been used to camping and hiking adventures with my best friend Heather, but I had never really done any big hikes by myself so far from home. What if something happened where I needed help and there was no one else around? All of the warnings I came across on the internet about the dangers of hiking solo certainly didn’t help my fears of twisting an ankle, breaking bones, falling off of cliffs, being attacked by bears/wolves/cougars/wild BC animals that I hadn’t even heard of, and/or being kidnapped by strangers. I had debated a lot about bringing along bear spray, but in the end I had decided against it, which only strengthened my fears. People took solo trips all the time, right? This was going to be an educational experience for me. I was going to leave with a newer understanding of myself… right? The whole stronger-probability-of-dying-by-myself-in-the-West-Coast-of-Canada thing was really freaking me out though. The morning of my flight out of Halifax, I hugged my parents extra tight when I said goodbye.
Thanks Westjet!
When I was 15 years old, I had dreams of one day moving to BC. At the time, my favourite band was from there, and I wanted to move to Vancouver and live as an actor. I dreamed of having a nice house on the outskirts of the city—within walking distance of some beautiful trails, but not too far a drive to the downtown area. I would own lots of instruments and art and drink nice coffee and go surfing once in a while. In the winter I would drive up to Whistler and become a “ski bum”.
I had never been to the West Coast. the closest I had been was Brandon, Manitoba. But I knew that I wanted to live in BC— the land of the free.
When my family and I moved out East from Ontario following high school, it was a difficult period of adjustment, to say the least. I didn’t know how to deal with change at the time. Halifax was the opposite of where I wanted to be. In addition to complicated factors like leaving “the love of my life” behind in Ottawa, I just had never considered it a possibility to live in the East Coast. So I guess Halifax and I started off on the wrong foot—it was the worst of introductions. I had set myself up to fail… but if anyone who knows me now is reading this, they know how that story ends with a strong connection and adoration for my home in Nova Scotia.
Let’s fast-forward now back to 2016, where I am finally on the plane to visit the West Coast after dreaming of it for so long. When I landed in Vancouver, I travelled directly to visit Hanna, a good friend from my undergrad. Hanna is one of the most unique, creative, hilarious, adventurous, caring, sensitive, and selfless people I know. I adore her and it was so exciting to be reunited with her after 3 years. She showed me some of her favourite spots around Vancouver, and the entire time I could feel the stong love that she had for her home province.
Following a few days in Vancouver, I said farewell to Hanna and took the ferry to Nanaimo, where I rented a sweet ride.
The rental
I quickly fell in love with the island, and I vowed to return again soon. I drove up to Tofino and Ucluelet, and stopped at a few places along the way. The air in BC is so different and fresh. The trees on the island were the biggest I had ever seen. I loved hiking around them and occasionally stopping to touch and hug them. I nearly fell backwards on more than one occasion trying to look up at the top canopy…
Cathedral Grove Trail, Port Alberni
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Goats on a Roof, Coombs
Long Beach, Tofino
When I was in Tofino, I met up with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Maddy, who was on vacation with her family at the same time as me. We had discovered that we would be in the same place only a few weeks before my departure, and we laughed and rejoiced as we made plans to celebrate the wild coincidence. The stars had aligned, and Maddy and I took our first surfing lesson together in Tofino. Surfing is HARD! The next day my arms had truly felt the power of those Pacific waves! Next time, I’ll remember to train before I attempt surfing in Tofino again.
When I left Vancouver Island, I was truly on my own. I had plans to drive to Squamish, Whistler, and Golden, BC, with a few parks, hikes, and towns along the way. I felt confident being on my own. Sometimes I talked to myself. I definitely laughed out loud many times whenever I thought of something funny. I met new people from around the world. I learned that there are a LOT of Australians in Whistler for some reason. Everyone I met seemed happy and open, and it was just as I had imagined the West Coast to be.
Whistler
When I was in Whistler I ran into someone that I had worked with one Summer in Halifax. I was reminded of what a small world our planet could be.
I went on “The Sasquatch”, which at the time was the longest zipline in Canada and the US, spanning over 2kms. The view of the valley between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Peak was breathtaking. I spent most of the zipline ride with my mouth wide open in awe… okay, yes, I was screaming for much of it…
Hiking around Whistler made me want to return in the Winter to experience the mountains in ski season, but it was also really neat seeing how busy it was in the Summer! What a gorgeous place to explore!
When I was in Squamish, I had taken the advice of a friend to hike up to the top of the Stawamus Chief. It is a popular hike, and many people set up tents at the base of the mountain so that they can get an early start. I unfortunately was not able to find a spot in time, but I set up my tent at a nearby campground. I heard it was a popular hike, so I decided that I wanted to be the first up the mountain the next day.
To achieve this, I ended up waking up at 4:30am so that I could start my hike in peace. To this day, The Chief is still the most challenging and rewarding hike that I have done. Although I never thought about giving up, I did take frequent breaks in order to catch my breath. As I ascended the trail, I encountered hikers who were on their way down after spending the night at the top of the mountain (something that you are technically not allowed to do). They encouraged me with smiles and news that I was the first hiker they saw that day. I was determined to be the first to reach the top.
The view was absolutely incredible! I just really enjoyed breathing fully and deeply at the top and looking down at the tiny toy cars below. Surprisingly, I had full cell service at the top of the mountain, so I decided to do something that was a little out of character for me, and I started my first ever live video feed, where I confirmed for my friends and family that I was still alive and well. What a beautiful feeling that was…
The Chief, Squamish
On my trip I ended up meeting one of my father’s best friends, JG, who lived in Golden. He and his wife Bonnie were the best hosts that I could have hoped for. They opened up their home and their hearts to me at a difficult time in their lives, emphasizing just how selfless and giving of their time they are. We shared stories, ate the most delicious food, watched the bats wake up and fly out in the sky, and JG brought me on a gorgeous hike to Gorman Lake— my first high-altitude lake.
Gorman Lake hike, Golden
The rest of my trip was filled with more incredible views, great company, beautiful hikes, campfires, star-gazing, and lots of time for self-reflection. I did end up encountering two bears on two separate occasions, but they weren’t all that interested in me in the end.
Goat Lookout Trail, Birkenhead Provincial Park
I don’t know if I will ever take the opportunity to live in British Columbia, but I do appreciate it as a unique province with incredible views and friendly and open people. It is a province that I will definitely visit again. There is still so much more to see. I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore what I did, and I hope that I can resume my West Coast adventures soon.