Tsawout First Nation Reserve, Salt Spring Island, B.C. Coastal Salish people originally inhabited this land. When white settlers arrived in the Gulf Islands in the mid-1800s, the displaced First Nations people moved to this Salt Spring Island location. A sign posted on a cedar tree reads: “To our friends: This land has been used by the Tsawout people from time beyond remembering. It is the only piece of Gulf Islands property left to us. Its name in our language is Wen, na’, nec. “You are welcome to walk upon it. Please enjoy its beauty and tranquility, but please respect our wishes about its use. These are: no fires, no camping, no garbage, no shellfish harvesting and no digging for artifacts. Thank you.” As we traversed the old-growth forest, we stopped to examine an arbutus tree, which constantly sheds its red bark. Living Waters Boardwalk, Elk Island National Park, Alberta Elk Island National Park, 35 minutes east of Edmonton, enticed us with several interesting trails through landscapes ranging from aspen forests to meadows. We especially enjoyed the short LivingWaters Boardwalk loop over Astotin Lake. Interpretive signs described the lake’s waterfowl and aquatic life. We gazed in fascination at a whole menagerie of buzzing, floating and darting water bugs, from blue damsel flies to side-swimmers. The water boatmen, which propel themselves withminuscule oar-like legs, captured our attention. With hyperactive regularity, they paddled to the surface for air, which they trapped in bubbles beneath their wings before diving again into the murky depths. Equally captivating were the laid-back snails, which grazed on algae growing on rocks and then leisurely floated along, buoyed up by air in their shells. On our next visit, we’ll bring dip nets to hunt for water tigers. These aquatic insects have massive jaws which capture fish and other underwater prey much larger than themselves. The scent of salty air replaced the woodsy fragrance as we reached the Fulford Harbour shoreline. Listening to the lapping waves, the calls of black oystercatchers and the haunting echo of a BC Ferry, we viewed the flat beach and pondered the Coast Salish people who drew up their boats here more than 100 years ago. CSANews | SUMMER 2021 | 19 Travel
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