One of the nicest things about hiking up Mount Wesley today was going with Laura. Laura is one of the people who intimidate me. She’s fast. She’s crazy fit. She can run circles around me.

That said, after today’s experience, I would hike with her anytime anyplace. I don’t think I’ve ever spent one-on-one time with her before so we got to talk a lot today – for hours obviously. So what I discovered was that she’s super nice and kind and a fine person.

And she didn’t once make me feel I had to rush. We kept a decent pace up and down and it was lovely.

And here’s the thing: this amazing woman has MS and a few other physical issues. But her attitude is so positive and so strong! I admire her a ton. In a word, she is inspiring.

I feel like I’ve made a new friend. And that gives me warm fuzzies.

OK – the hike: Wesley is a typical Vancouver Island hike: straight up steep and straight down steep. We were promised sun. Um – no. A cloud wrapped itself around the top and the photos will show our (duh) views. What I’m trying to say here is that the views of the various fungi along the way were sensational.

Truly? It was a fine, fine day. And it’s lovely to have had a nice hot bubble bath and to be sitting here warm and cozy in my little nest knowing it’s not too long before I will chow down on a delicious pasta dinner.

Yup – good day.