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Rhododendron Flats

By George Anderson

____________________

We leave Manning Park

        & drive south down Highway 3

towards Vancouver.

There's plenty to see & do along the way,  

Dad reassures me.


Our first stop is Rhododendron Flats. But an

ominous provincial park sign reads at the entrance:

     More than 250 species of mosses flourish in the extremely high humidity of this area. This variety is enhanced by the diversity of rock types as each species prefers its own kind of substrate. One species is only found here &.


Dad, you promised!

***

Later on Vancouver Island

we camp at Ucluelet & hike along the

Pacific Rim National Park in search of a beach.

I'm excited. The air is tingling and I'm craving a long, cool swim

in the ocean. We discover a thin path to the foreshore. A sign

shrieks out a chilling warning:

     Warning: Hazardous Waves Can Sweep You Off Rocky Headlands, Suddenly Flood Beaches- Crushing You & Catching You in Currents. Water Activities NOT Recommended.

Dad!

***

In the black bear country at Green Point

warning signs are everywhere:


DANGER BLACK BEARS IN VICINITY

REPORT ANY SIGHTINGS TO THE PARK RANGER

I become far more alert-

each snap of a branch is menacing. My

parents are eager to push on

                      enchanted by their closeness to nature.


I find a curious comfort in a sign I come across in the undergrowth

held up by a smiling black bear cub:

     Black Bears are largely misunderstood animals. We are NOT dangerous. Humans have a greater risk of being hurt by domestic pets, bees and even lightning. Please do not be afraid of us!
     

 ____________________

George says: “I was born in Montreal and presently live in Thirroul, New South Wales. I teach high school English and History and edit the school literary magazine Ephemeral. I love body surfing, biking along the South Coast and showing contempt whenever it is deserved.”