The Sound of Silence

Happy Labour Day long weekend everyone! On many past long weekends I have found myself seeking out the last rays of summer sunshine, attempting to attract a few more freckles before the fall season begins. This year, the weatherman predicted a rainy, cool long weekend here on the left coast and so I stacked my to-read pile of books high beside my favourite reading chair and prepared for a three-day onslaught of turning pages. Yet….

When Saturday dawned a bit drippy, and traffic noise found its way up to my 20th floor perch in Coquitlam, I soon found myself longing for some solitude and some silence. I wanted to hear myself think. Much has been written about the benefits of long walks in nature, from increased cognitive abilities to lower levels of stress and anxiety. So why not seek out some nature since I live in one of the most beautifully-blessed-by-nature provinces with nature trails within easy striking distance by foot or car.

So I grabbed my hiking shoes, water bottle, camera, and a good book, and headed out my door in search of the sound of silence. My chosen destination on Saturday was the nearby Golden Ears Provincial Park, high up on my bucket list of must-hikes. I was not disappointed! After taking the Golden Ears Parkway as far as my car could go, I found a parking spot and took to the trail that would lead to lovely Alouette Lake, right in the middle of the park. You will see the results of my adventure in the photo above.

Just as the studies suggest, the utter silence of this wonderful place surrounded me almost immediately. My heart rate slowed. My mind went quiet. And I listened. No traffic noise. No noise from other humans. Just the steady drip-drip-drip of silently falling rain on the water and on the leaves of the vast forest that surrounds the lake. In the silence, other senses are sharpened. I could smell the deep green of the forest, the coldness of the lake and the cleansing, unreal scent of the mist that shrouded me and the lake. I just stood there and breathed in. And sighed. How startlingly beautiful is this place! How lucky am I to experience it so close to home?

I eventually had to end my commune with nature, heartened by the knowledge that I can enjoy this wondrous spot again when I need some soul-saving silence. Maybe next weekend!