Ruckle Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, B.C. Parts of Ruckle Park resemble a primordial wilderness. Western red cedars towered above us. Green moss-like epiphytes draped branches and fallen logs. At our feet, lacy sword and bracken ferns carpeted the ground with rainforest hues. As we hiked through the coastal Douglas fir ecosystem, we were surprised to discover maple leaves as large as dinner plates. Bigleaf maples are the largest maple trees in North America. They grow only on theWest Coast. In the fall, they turn yellow and brown, but not red. Other trails follow the shoreline and encircle fields in one of the oldest farmsteads in British Columbia. Henry Ruckle’s original 1877 farmhouse still stands here, as well as the apple orchard, barn and potato house, which is now the park’s headquarters. Next to a display of old photographs and signs describing the original farmstead, we discovered an honesty stand. Flower bouquets, fresh fruit and jars of homemade preserves, each with a price sign, covered the roofed wooden table. Shoppers make their selections and drop the money through the wooden honesty box slot. The charming custom dates to the days when farmers trusted visitors to pay for surplus garden produce left by the roadside. It says a lot about life on Salt Spring Island. ENJOY A HIKE! No matter where you live in Canada, you’ll find walking trails where you can enjoy fresh air and exercise Public Health experts advise Canadians that outdoor exercise is a great way to maintain good health during the pandemic. From coast-to-coast-to-coast, you can hike in parks, conservation areas, forests, reserves and along coastlines. With the multitude of hiking trails in Canada, it’s easy to select the ones that match your abilities and available time. So, lace up your running shoes or hiking boots, grab your walking poles and enjoy the freedom of meandering at your own pace. We prefer less-crowded walking paths where we can stretch our legs while maintaining a social distance between hikers. Here are a few of our favourite, easy-to-moderate Canadian walking routes where you can avoid the crowds, enjoy nature and stay fit − all in a half-day or less. Story and photos © Barb & Ron Kroll 18 | www.snowbirds.org Travel
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