Puntledge River Transition Walk

Puntledge River Transition Walk
Location: Puntledge Park, Courtenay BC

AN INVITATION TO

PERSONAL REFLECTION & WELL-BEING

Welcome

The parking lot is along 1st Avenue and the trail entrance is near the end of Urquhart Ave and near the washrooms building. This is an easy walk, and accessible for most people.

The Puntledge River Transition Walk is part of the Comox Valley Hospice Society Nature Walks Program (CVHS). It is a self-care program designed to connect people who are journeying through loss, illness, or caregiver fatigue, with the healing powers and beauty of nature. Using the guidebook provided, you can take part in a self-led nature walk at your own pace, using the themed questions provided for personal reflection, and allow nature to be a therapeutic environment in which wellness can occur. By focusing on the present moment and experiencing the sights and sounds of nature, many find that a sense of wellbeing and calm reduces feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fear, anxiety and loneliness.

Along the guided nature walk will be rest or reflection points that have been chosen as places to pause and reflect related to the theme of Transition. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring along a journal, a pen, some water, and a cell phone (if you have one). Choose "My Reflections" within the app to access commonly used smart phone functions.

Before You Begin

Be alert to high wind events, river levels, dogs off-leash and the potential for wildlife encounters.

Take a moment to check in with yourself: What is your mood like? How are you feeling? What bodily sensations are you noticing? What thoughts are running through your mind?

Now, take a deep breath and let it go. You will start and finish this nature walk at the same point. Start your walk via the main dirt road leading from the car park through a gate (Curling Rink to your right). The path runs straight towards the forest and the river. A fence runs alongside on your left, the Exhibition Grounds' washroom facilities and small barns are on your right. You will come to 3 yellow vehicle-blocking metal posts with an outdoor toilet unit to the right.

#1 Stop - The Bridge

Walk down the path and stop on the bridge.

Reflection Points

Standing on the bridge between two places, reflect on times of transition.
What resources did you draw on?
What were the connecting bridges?

#2 Stop - First Bench

Walk down to the bench and take a seat. This is an opportunity to journal your experience from the bridge. Now take in your current vantage point.

Reflection Points

Gaze at the moving river and the surrounding trees, what does this movement evoke in you?

#3 Stop - Second Bench

Walk to the second bench that faces the playground.

Reflection Points

What do you notice here?
Notice your inner motivation and sensations.
How do you know when it’s time to move on in your life?
How will you decide when to head to the next reflection point?

#4 Stop - Big Tree

Walk along the river and stop at the big fir tree on the right of the path. As you approach the riverfront, notice how the river winds.

Reflection Points

As you contemplate the river winding around the bend and changing direction, what motivates you to make changes?
Imagine metaphorically what it would be like to be the river, or a rock or stone in the water. How does this play with your imagination and perspective?

#5 Stop - The Rapids

Here you will see the rapids and also some pools and back eddies.

Reflection Points

Notice the movement and flow of the river; how does it compare and contrast with how you are feeling today?
What can it teach you about rhythm and flow in your life?

#6 Stop - The Big Rock

Return to the path, and when you see the big rock across the river, look behind you for the path in the woods.

#7 Stop - Into the Woods

Leaving the main path, take the narrow path into the woods. Stop at the big fir tree located on the left, opposite a fallen log, that is slightly behind you and to your right. There is also a big root in the path.

Reflection Points

Notice what the transition into the woods feels like. What feels different here than on the main path?
Contemplate the big root and consider how your roots have supported you.

#8 Stop - Finding Your Tree

Trees have much to offer us symbolically. Find a tree that calls you. The roots ground us, the trunk supports us, the branches reach out for new life and sunshine, and the seed creates new life.

Reflection Points

How can your tree support you in this time of change?

#9 Stop - Fallen Log

Continue on the small path, stay left at the junction, where the path goes around a fallen log. You may sit here and journal your experience in the woods.

Reflection Points

Look up into the treetops and then down to the ground. How does having different viewpoints change your perspective?
As you gaze around these woods, what signs do you notice about the cycle of nature and/or the changing seasons?
Reflect on the seasons of your own life; what season of life would you say you are in now?

#10 Stop - The Crossroads

When you are ready, continue on the path until you reach a 4-way intersection. At this point you have a choice, you can continue to follow the guided directions, or choose to explore on your own.

Reflection Points

Contemplate the intersections in your life; the choices you've made; and what you've learned from them.

#11 Stop - Optional Private Corner

If you go straight ahead (the left path in the photo above) you will come to a dead-end, where there is a blackberry patch, an upturned root, and a private corner.

Reflection Points

Gaze upon the upturned root and recall times you felt uprooted in your life. How did you respond? How can that assist you with future transitions?
As you look around, is there a metaphor that you can draw on to support you through transitions?

When you return to the crossroads, turn left and continue until you come to a T junction.

#12 Stop - The Y Tree

If you chose to turn right at the intersection, you will travel along the path until you come to a T-junction. Turn right again and ahead of you will be a large Y-shape tree; beyond that you will see the river. Take a moment to stop and look at the Y Tree.

Reflection Points

What are the "why’s" you are currently contemplating in life?

#13 Stop - The Look Out

As you pass by the Y tree and cross the main path, you are out of the woods and back to the river. If you are able, and the river isn’t too high, consider making your way to the riverbed.

Reflection Points

Take a moment to look at the path you have taken.
What do you feel you've left behind and what, perhaps, still lies ahead?
Notice the edges where land and water meet; how do you meet and blend with the changing landscapes in your life?

#14 Stop - Green Metal Shed

As you rejoin the main path, continue along to your right, until you see a green metal shed, this marks the last view of the river.

Reflection Points

How does this view affect you?
Think about times you have come in and out of the main path of life:
What motivates you to leave or rejoin others in your life?
When do you choose connection and when do you choose to be alone?

#15 Stop - Choice Points

A little further along the main path, you will see a large maple tree that has lost its top. The path on the right goes uphill to a residential area on Willemar Avenue; to the left the path goes back into the woods, where there is a picnic table. Straight ahead is the second bridge.

Reflection Points

Here is another opportunity to contemplate choices and how you make them.
Which path calls you today?

#16 Stop - The Creek

Just before you arrive at the bridge, you will see that the creek flows under the path you are on.

Reflection Points

Stand facing the downward flow and allow your mind to empty. Let your concerns, troubles, and expectations be carried down the creek. Leave whatever you need to leave behind, before stepping onto the bridge.

#17 Stop - The Bridge

Stop on the bridge and look down into the creek.

Reflection Points

Be still here. Sense the structure under you. What are the supportive structures, internally or externally, in your life?

#18 Stop - Up the Hill

When you are ready, take the path uphill staying left, not exiting via the yellow gate. At the top, stop at the fence and enjoy the view of the bridge and forest below.

Reflection Points

The journey today is coming to an end. Take a moment to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, mood and bodily sensations.

#19 Stop - The Bench

Stay along the fence until you come to a bench in the park facing the road. Here is a final place to sit and journal your walk experience.

Reflection Points

How do you feel now, compared to when you first started your nature walk?
What are some of the ways that you can continue to nurture and care for yourself, moving forward?
Before returning to your day or moving on to the next activity, offer thanks to yourself for taking this time to be present, mindful and caring for your whole being.

The parking lot is about 150 metres down the river beyond the bench.

Beloved, I have not left you

To mourn my passing alone.

Yes, I am soaring freely

From the body that no longer serves me,

but I am with you still

In the gentle breeze that reaches out

To cool the tears on your cheeks.

I am touching you.

In the murmuring of a snow fed brook

As you wander a forest path we knew,

I am telling you of the healing beauty of this earth.

In the flickering of an open fire

I show you my faith

In your strength to express your grief,

Your anger and your loneliness

So that you may share your healing journey with others

In the sweet song of the birds

As the morning sun kisses the treetops,

I am singing you the song of freedom

To grow through your pain and continue on your journey through life

I am with you - in your heart.

- Cori Farstad

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