When I left Vancouver Island in October, it was raining due to an atmospheric river flowing over the Pacific coast. When I returned in May, it was still raining. We are now into June and while it’s not constant rain, we are being ‘blessed’ more days than not.
So when the rain stops and the sun comes out, it is truly glorious. A perfect excuse to take a walk along the coast and through the rain forest.
Abundant rain and relatively mild temperatures make for lush green forests. Trees grow taller and bigger here. One of my favorite walking paths is the Ancient Cedars loop on the Wild Pacific Trail. The giant cedars measure more than 12 meters (39 feet) around the base and are thought to be 800 years old.
No less spectacular is the plant life closer to the ground. From tiny rain drops glistening on spruce leaves to the luxuriant undergrowth of shrubs and bushes.
I am always amazed when I walk by this particular plant. The leaves are huge, growing up to five feet long and in patches that are twice as wide.
The plant has many names, including swamp lantern, rainforest crocus and skunk cabbage. It’s called skunk cabbage because of its musky odor. I’ve never noticed the smell myself but then I’ve never gotten down close to one either. On the other hand, I have smelled skunks without ever getting close, so I think it might be a bit of an exaggeration.
In its raw form, skunk cabbage is toxic. However, it has medicinal properties which have been used by both humans and animals. First Nation people use the roots in poultices for aching joints and apply heated leaves to draw out thorns from the skin. According to this article, people have even “… seen wounded bears roll in skunk cabbage leaves in order to adhere the leaf like a bandage to their wounds.”
Given the size of the leaves, I’ve always thought they’d make excellent wrappers. A little research shows that I was right. The leaves were used by early settlers to line baskets, package food and wrap fish for cooking. It was an early, greener form of wax paper!
For this week the Friendly Friday Challenge is GREEN and you are welcome to post whatever or however the topic inspires you.
It can be GREEN, as in a featured color
It can be GREENS, as in your favorite vegetable
It can be GREEN, as in your favorite environmental story
How ever you’re inspired, your Friendly Friday Challenge is GREEN.
Create a post, tag it ‘Friendly Friday’ and link it back here.
I look forward to reading it!
The Sandy Chronicles 
What a beautiful place to live!
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It is something. Have you ever been on the Pacific North West ?
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I have not but I’ve fostered a dozen dogs that found homes there. I keep saying I’m going to visit each of them
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My second ‘Friendly Friday’ post this week. I love green.
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Glad to see you again!
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I’m a little late to your challenge, but I hope you enjoy my entry.
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It’s never too late to see a post from you Cee! Thanks for joining in.
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What a stunning green place, Sandy! Thank you for taking us along – those trees are spectacular. I love your opening tryptic – an artistic rendition of a lovely vista! And i love how you use atmospheric river – I believe I first learned this term in one of your earlier posts.
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Glad you liked it Ju-Lyn 🙂
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Hi Sandy, my latest post is also very green
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The riverbanks are very green indeed. I’ve been enjoying your holiday posts of Malaysia. Thanks for taking us along!
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Thanks Sandy 😊
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A great theme and photos Sandy 🙂
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I love your collection of photos Brian, especially the last one!
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Thank you Sandy. I am glad the Green Tree Frog could give you a laugh 🙂
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You certainly live in a green part of the world. I used to love walks through the rainforest, on Vancouver Island and the U.S. west coast. Those huge trees and all the rich growth beneath them. Here’s mine for this one: https://grahamsisland.com/2022/06/18/hawaiian-green-sea-turtle-passes-by/
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I’m glad to be here and able to enjoy the walks. It’s island life of a different kind but enjoyable still.
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That walk through the rainforest with those glimpses of the sea looks just perfect – especially as we’re having a mini heatwave in London (34 degrees yesterday!) I enjoyed searching out some cool green images to share: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-what-is-green/
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Yikes! I hope you have somewhere to escape and cool off. Does London usually have that hot a summer?
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Only a few days each year but not usually this early – July or August are more usual heatwave months. But it’s cooled off today and by tomorrow is forecast to be only 20 😆
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20 degrees with sunny is ideal for me. I wish summer would be that cool all the time.
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Make that 22 or 23 and I’m with you 😀
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800 years old!
If only those trees could talk, I wonder 🙂
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Indeed!
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After all white ( winter) green in any form is very much welcome.
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Every thing has its place. One of the nice things about the change in seasons is the different landscapes and weather patterns.
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I love that trail too…and all the trails on the west coast of the island! Make that the entire island. So glad I moved here. Thanks for sharing, Sandy!
Deb
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I read that there is a 800 km trail being worked on that spans the entire island from Victoria to Cape Scott called the Vancouver Island Trail. It sounds more ‘vigorous’ than the WPT but it will be something too!
Thanks for dropping by Deb.
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What beautiful trees! Thank you for sharing.
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Welcome to Friendly Friday! I see that you’re a first-timer 🙂
I hope to see you again on the challenges posted by my co-hosts Amanda and Sarah at
https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/ and https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/
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Amazing trees, & I love the name “skunk cabbage” 😂 I’ve gone all out with almost monochromatic green: https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2022/06/17/summer-green-friendly-friday-and-cmmc/
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Skunk cabbage is not a name to forget! It also indicates that it’s not for eating 🙂
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😂
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Can I just say those trees are amazing? So very huge! A fabulous walking trail with outstanding views.
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The trees are amazing. Whenever I’m there, I’m reminded of Tolkiens tree men in Lord of the Rings. Can you imagine what these ancient cedars have seen!
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It is definitely Lord of the Rings. Any ancient trees are breathtaking to behold! I am always amazed by them. Such natural grandeur. We have some called Nothofagus which are remnants from the Antarctic part of the old Gondwanaland – or their predecessors were.
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Those trees are magnificent! So beautiful. Lovely post Sandy!
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Thank you Aletta 🙂
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I chose a different interpretation but still included some greenery! See more here: https://forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com/2022/06/17/friendly-friday-challenge-going-green/
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Fiery & thought-provoking post Amanda!
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Maybe too much?
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Not at all.
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👍
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