Friday, July 22, we drove downtown so Melissa and Geoff (and boys) could meet with a high school friend and her family. We walked along Wharf Street then left them to find a picnic lunch while did grocery shopping. They had a great time with Melissa's friend who also does letterboxing. The two women planned to meet that evening to do a couple of plants in Ross Bay Cemetery.
After lunch, we headed out to Swan Lake. It was the third time Glen and I have been there and this time we had no birders to slow us down. We quickly found the letterbox then headed out on the trail around the lake. Swan Lake was originally a farm owned by Mr. Swan and is tucked in a depression surrounded by the town of Saanich. You can't see it from any road unless you know where to look and the hike around the lake is such that you forget you are in the middle of the city. For those wishing to visit this natural gem, you access it off McKenzie Avenue.
The boys are great walkers and we had fun spotting ducks and river otters. The resident heron strutted through the marsh at the western end of the lake and even caught lunch while we watched. I discovered some ripe blackberries along the trail and Miles was an instant fan. Glen told a long and rambling story about the troll who lived near the lake and feasted on children who lagged behind. He and Elijah discussed this creature for most of the walk until the end when Elijah felt it would give him nightmares. Glen then found a grove of trees where he was sure there were fairies and so the hike ended on a less frightening note.
I must say that Elijah and Glen are evenly matched when it comes to filling the air with chatter. It is a wonder anyone else can get a word in edgewise.
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