So what does Skookumchuck mean?
A Chinook term, Skookum means "strong" and "chuck" refers to water, so combined the term literally means strong or powerful water. It the case of Skookumchuck Narrows it refers to tidal rapids.
To view the rapids you need to walk a 4 km trail from the parking lot.
Near the parking lot is an old truck and a newer sign. Here is my painting of the old truck which I have named "Skookumchuck Truck":
It was a few years ago that we travelled to the park and I photographed this old truck and promised myself I would paint it one day and figure out what the sign meant. The sign the "Green Rosette Bake Shop" apparently points to a bakeshop nearby that has a reputation for making very fine cinnamon buns; it must have been closed when we were there because I love cinnamon and can track down a cinnamon bun from quite a distance!
Here are some photographs that I took and some more information on the park.
"This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet.
The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.
There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.
Consult with the tide tables for this area to get a schedule of the best viewing times of the rapids."
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/skook_narrows/
First of all, I am always lagging behind because I am looking for photo opportunities, so I often see the rapidly disappearing form of my husband in the distance ahead of me, why should this trip be any different.
A Chinook term, Skookum means "strong" and "chuck" refers to water, so combined the term literally means strong or powerful water. It the case of Skookumchuck Narrows it refers to tidal rapids.
To view the rapids you need to walk a 4 km trail from the parking lot.
Near the parking lot is an old truck and a newer sign. Here is my painting of the old truck which I have named "Skookumchuck Truck":
It is an 11" X 14" watercolour on Arches CP watercolour paper.
It was a few years ago that we travelled to the park and I photographed this old truck and promised myself I would paint it one day and figure out what the sign meant. The sign the "Green Rosette Bake Shop" apparently points to a bakeshop nearby that has a reputation for making very fine cinnamon buns; it must have been closed when we were there because I love cinnamon and can track down a cinnamon bun from quite a distance!
Here are some photographs that I took and some more information on the park.
Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park:
"This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet.
The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.
There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.
Consult with the tide tables for this area to get a schedule of the best viewing times of the rapids."
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/skook_narrows/
The trail passes Brown Lake ...
... and passes through a second growth hemlock forest.
By tumbling creeks and ...
many interesting tree stumps. This "foot" for example:
Several "tree monsters"
This one reminds me of an elephant:
A wolf:
Some octopuses, or is that octopi:
And these reminders of how magnificent the forest was at one time with their eye slots the remains of loggers springboard platforms.
And finally the narrows, you need to arrive near the tide change for the most impressive currents.
You can probably tell that the wind is blowing pretty hard, this little fellow is really hanging on:
A couple of tidal pools:
and more of the narrows...
A still picture just doesn't do it justice, so here is a video:
Here is the picture I took of a bulldozer and the truck.
Maybe I should paint the bulldozer too, what do you think?
I now have an all art Facebook page, if you would like updates on what I am up to in the studio you can friend me at:
I guess that takes us full circle, I hope you have enjoyed the outing.
That's all for this week, happy Wednesday, with whimsy,
Gillian
I love to get your comments!
