A Rainy Day Road Trip

 

Above is Saanich Inlet, curving around steep, tree-covered mountains, layer upon layer, with clouds drifting in the valleys. Even on a rainy day, it's a beautiful sight. 

My husband celebrated a birthday last week. We like to make the day special and I planned it, not telling him where we were going until just before. The Malahat Skywalk is a new attraction, built by the Malahat First Nation. An elevated boardwalk leads from the visitor centre to the spiral tower through the coastal rainforest. There is no elevator at the tower, but walking up the 10 storey structure is made easy by 600 metres of gradual incline. 

The view over Saanich Inlet is broad and extends to many of the islands surrounding us. 

A curving slide is one way down. Tim chose the slide. I chose the walkway. He was at the bottom long before I was. Maybe next time I'll try the slide. 

Lunch was next on the agenda. We tried out a new pub overlooking Shawnigan Lake. Raindrops splashed the water while we enjoyed good food and warming tea (for me) and coffee (for him). 

I thought we could visit the Kinsol Trestle next. Rain kept falling, but we had our rain gear along. Construction on the wooden rail trestle began in 1914 but was halted due to the First World War. After the war, construction resumed and was completed in 1920. The railway was used to transport logs to sawmills and ports. In 1979 the last railcar passed over the trestle. 

The Kinsol Trestle is one of the highest wooden trestles in the world, standing 44 metres above the river, and stretching 187 metres long. When we first visited this spot about 20 years ago, a fire from 1988 had destroyed some of the structure, making it uncrossable. 

A conservation project began in 2008, replacing damaged beams. Each beam was carved with its place in the structure and those marks can be seen today. Handrails were added to the sides of the railbed, making it safer to walk. 

We walked the length of the trestle and then underneath, looking up through the timbers to the heart of the structure. Moss covers the cement foundation piers. 

Our recorded history is not long compared with Europe. However, I think of the effort it took to make such a railway through the dense forest and over rivers in deep canyons. It took perseverance and determination. 

It was a fun day for the two of us. On Saturday we held a family party with the children and grandchildren - chaotic and enjoyable.