Terry Gerrard (Canada) – Horseshoe Bend / Cowichan River
Living in a river valley, you are aware of a river’s importance and how often it comes up in conversation. It is a lifeline. Even with its generous beauty, the Cowichan River can change from trickling calm to a rage of damaging flood waters during a change of seasons. From the mouth of the lake, it flows 47 kilometers through different ecosystems. After steep forested canyons, it slows and widens through farmland to an estuary. It offers a balance of nature, with an abundance of different fish. The lush forest surroundings have over 200 species of birds, large and small mammals; it has a rich cultural heritage and offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. At the beginning of the Waterline journey, after several walks along its paths listening to the water, Horseshoe Bend was the place I chose to tell its story. At a bend in the river, there is a provincial group campsite with large shadowing trees. As the river flows around the gorge, there is a quick thrill of white-water rapids, slowing to a calmer welcoming aqua-green swimhole. Our eldest son teaches kayaking and water rescue, which involves decision making, trust in yourself and the group. It felt like an appropriate choice to create a tapestry of this spot. Lots of shared memories have been made here.