Jill Thomas is a rambler, traveler, and storyteller with a big laugh who believes life takes her where she needs to go, no matter the roundabout path.
Today seven Sole Sisters went for a hike. A couple of us knew each other but hadn't seen each other for over a decade. Others virtually knew each other from our joy-filled Sole Sister Ramblers Facebook Group. Others met for the very first time today.
I officially 'in-real-life' met Claudette Colby today and realized that not only did we go to high school together in Toronto, but we were also in the same grade. I only attended Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto for one year, and she had an older boyfriend that kept her from our juvenile escapades. Jarvis added some of my favorite people to my life, and today, the school added Claudette into my mix. Whoop!
Dale Jensen surprised us with a charcuterie board in a fishing tackle box. We christened her invention the "snackle" box. There was local cheese in the box called "Hot Jill" (which I appreciated), homemade apricot amaretto jelly, gherkins, crackers, meats, and of course, chocolate.
Dale is one of my best ramble buddies (and cousin) because she's generous to the point of being an overachiever and always more well-prepared than I am. And more importantly, she is up for just about anything. I stayed up late the night before the hike with house guests and didn't prepare, but I wasn't worried because I had complete confidence that Dale would have whatever I needed but forgot.
When we arrived back at our cars, Claudette surprised us by pulling out her perfectly executed homemade Focaccia bread with gorgonzola cheese. I suspect she is a chef with hidden cooking-related talents we need to discover. Munching freshly baked bread and creamy cheese was the perfect goodbye. So Claudette, tell your hubby he was wrong. It is impossible to overdo it on the snacks. Don't let him dissuade you next time, please.
It was so wonderful to reconnect with Lorraine Kopetzki and catch up on each other's lives after not seeing each other since neither of us can remember. We raised our kids in the same tiny community, so our paths often crossed, but we haven't hung out much. We spoke about how she loved to run and has finished more marathons than she can keep track of, yet these days, due to knee injuries is finding equal joy in rambling. I agreed that I also do not miss running. However, I only jogged, and a marathon continues to prove elusive.
We rambled along the Cowichan River, and our intrepid leaders, Judy Smith, and Ann Scholten, reminded us how this river is the heart of southern Vancouver Island. They got excited and animated whenever they talked about the river and its salmon. Thanks for guiding us into your beautiful backyard! It was so lovely to be with local guides.
Many of us have memories of Judy being the high school principal on Salt Spring Island. I appreciated seeing her today and having the chance to thank her for how she supported our family when my son was going through a hard time many years ago.
Just a little about the actual hike! The Cowichan River originates in Cowichan Lake and flows east. The drainage basin is 795 kilometers. The trail we rambled crosses the Trans Canada trail, a fantastic multi-use trail you can also ride your bike on.
The Cowichan River is a popular recreation area in the summer for river-tubing, kayaking, camping, swimming, and hiking. About 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) after exiting Cowichan Lake, the river drops over Skutz Falls, a small waterfall bracketed by fish weirs for migrating salmon. We walked a little side trail to check it out cause even though there isn't much water this time of year, you can't go on a waterfall hike without actually looking at the waterfall.
The river is widely considered one of the finest trout fishing streams in British Columbia. The Cowichan River is the center of the Cowichan River Provincial Park.
The scenery on the hike today was truly outstanding. The water was a lovely shade of green and so inviting for a swim. Claudette was the only one of us who swam. Why she dove in and described how it felt to swim again after a year of successfully fighting breast cancer. Her story left us inspired.
This very enjoyable ramble left me pondering how important it will be to have Sole Sisters to play with in this chapter of my life. I work less these days, have an empty nest, and spend way more time playing. Activities I enjoyed in my twenties, like backcountry hiking, are edging their way back into my newly freed time.
My hubby, Stormy has a sprained ankle and cannot walk with me right now. I suspect these injuries will be more frequent as we age. Plus, it seems like many men, mine included, crave being home in their senior years, while many women want to get out into the world more. We can't depend on our partner as our only friend and playmate. Having an abundance of friends to walk and talk with, travel and explore with, and do the things you love to do with is so important. This is something I want in my life.
So, today I challenge you, my Sole Sisters, to phone up some women you love and go for a ramble. Walk, hike, do yoga, bike, picnic, or sit on the beach or backyard. However, it is you like to ramble, go do it. It will keep you happy and alive longer.
Read More > Ramble Logs, Rambler Cafe Blog
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