Backyard Vacations - Maple Ridge Trail

One of my most enjoyable, memorable and best vacations, was one I didn’t have to leave home to take. I called it – actually them, as there was more than one – my weekend vacations. I mentioned in a previous hub, Backyard Nature Walks that I am most fortunate to have many Provincial parks very close to my doorstep. I live in the heart of the largest rain forest in the northern hemisphere, namely the Great Bear Rain forest that stretches along the coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Not many people know there is such a thing – almost everyone is familiar with tropical rain forests, but don’t realize there are northern, temperate rain forests as well. They are home to many diverse species – like the “Spirit Bear” of Northern British Columbia and Haida Gwaii, that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. Once, these forests stretched all along the coastal waters from California to Alaska.

The local flora and fauna of this immense rain forest never fail to delight. Every trip, we meet vacationers and locals enjoying the many trails and parks we call home.

One of our favorite haunts for weekend vacations is this river tributary that runs through a local equestrian center. This spot is also quite popular for spending the day rafting or tubing.

Just think - thousands of people pay thousands of dollars to escape the drudgery of bill payments, mortgages, grocery store lineups and rush hour traffic. Very few people stop to think that a short twenty minute drive can transport them to a lush, tropical feeling, serene get-a-way, where they can park the lawn chairs in the middle of a cool clear stream and wash all their cares away.

This picture really does give me the feeling of slow lazy summers south of the border! (That could be due to the rather large, barge-like dog paddling downstream...) The lush greenery surrounding us just begs to be explored...inviting cool, clear water...what's not to love?

It has always been wonderful dreaming about Jet-setting around the world, sipping the finest beverages, wonderful cuisine and exotic scenery. I have been fortunate to see, what to me, are exciting and tropical vacation spots just south of my border. (I live a short drive from Washington State and spent many hours traveling its highways...unfortunately, I don't have pictures - but that is for another article.)

For those of us who enjoy a bit of nature, campfires, and no, no one like mosquitoes - weekend, mini-vacations are hard to beat. With the economy not know what it's really doing, it can actually pay you to stay home!

No matter where you go, you will be paying for high fuel costs, so why not enjoy your own backyard for a change, and give your local economy a boost at the same time.

I just finished another wonderful weekend jaunt, and I'll be posting the pictures with my little blurb soon, so stay tuned...