Ed and Hélène and the Pilling Trail

... Carey, Cindy, Rebecca, Ed and Helen climb upwards ...

I love walking the David Pilling Trail.

When Ed Saiedi and Hélène came for the afternoon I had a chance to see the forest through new eyes once more.

We took the quick right before crossing the second stream and the path up the hill came clear after a few steps through the underbrush.

I am still in awe that the path can’t be easily seen from the Grandfather’s Trail, since I know many feet have walked that way.

Still, the joy of the climb could easily be missed by someone who doesn’t know how to see the possibilities of the forest hill at that spot.

Ed and Hélène coming up from the stream

We stopped at the large Douglas fir to see the difference between its bark and that of the cedars that are nearby. And we talked about how people who lived here thousands of years ago built canoes and made hats and baskets from trees.

I always think I will stop and take photo of the first steps for they are roots of a Douglas fir.

The height of the step is just a little higher than the rise of a normal steps and I hear a puff of air out of my lungs when I have to take my weight up just a little higher than normal.

LtoR: David, Ed and Hélène on David's driveway

The trail is not a good place for a conversation.

We have to go single file, weaving our way upwards, around the trunks of trees and over deadfall.

We stopped at one point to look at the work that is being done by the fallen logs as they give back to the earth the material from which they were made.

Someone asked if any trees had been felled to build the path. The answer is no, so we looked at trees that were down, their huge root systems exposed to the air, and we wondered how it is that they came to be on the ground now. Not even any limbs have been cut for the trail, though many of them have been woven back amongst themselves to make an easy passage for us.

Well, that is enough about the trail.

... at this point everyone watches their steps downward ...

Now for more about Ed and Hélène.  She is lovely. Truly his match in every way.

They are so in love. The feelings of respect between them can’t be contained.

I could feel the rush of their wash of love as we ate together, or talked together or walked along trails.

Although they will settle far away, I have the feeling that I will be lucky enough to see them again, perhaps walking the same trail.

Arta