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A peak a boo view through an old cedar stump on the Oyster River Trails.  In that area you will find some pretty interesting weather worn trees and stumps that have been uprooted by extreme weather conditions and floods along the Oyster River.  This river is known for its history of flooding and changing course and these remnants of floods gone by are strewn all over the banks, particularly where the river meets the ocean.

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The Oyster River Nature Park

I remember how delightful these trails were when I lived in the area and frequented the trails before it was a park about 30 years ago, when nobody else knew about them, but alas, they have been discovered by the masses and for good reason.  They are not a long network of trails, encompassing only 12 acres in total, nor are there many options for trails, however the vistas on these trail are uniquely delightful as the trails are sandwiched between the Oyster River and the Shelter Point Farm Lands.
 
Located on the banks of the Oyster River about 20 minutes south of Campbell River, coming from Campbell River to the north you travel over the Oyster River bridge, then turn left or east on Regent Rd, follow Regent until you double back over the old Oyster River bridge to Glenmore Rd. The trailhead is on the right hand or east side of the road, right past the Fisherman's Pub, there is parking right there or you can travel up Glenmore a couple of hundred feet and park in the Discovery Foods parking lot.

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Blooming Dogwoods

I have noticed this spring that the dogwood's have an unusual proliferation of blossoms this year, this signifies that the weather is presenting perfect conditions for the flowering process.  I have always noted that for me the characterization of spring begins with the heather in my neighbours yard beginning the bloom, then the magnolia tree in my front yard, then the dogwoods down the street.  I always look forward to this progression but it is the dogwoods that have special significance.
 
The dogwood is our designated provincial flower, it grows wild in these parts, particularly noted in Strathcona Park.  It does grow in other parts of the province but it is most prolific on the island due to the almost perfect balance of rain and sun.  It is a member of the Cornus family (Cornus nuttalii), a tree rather than a shrub, these deciduous trees produce a white 6 pedaled "flower" that can measure as large as 5" in diameter. 

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How to Trick Ourselves into Eating Less?

I have been on a bit of a weight loss kick these days. 

For the past seven years I have felt like I was physically bound and gagged with my health concerns, enacting multiple trips to the emergency room, a half a dozen surgeries and the complete inability to exercise.  When you already have a heart rate of 130 to 150 just ascending stairs can be a real challenge. Then there are the pharmaceuticals, designed to slow my heart rate, yeah they were successful, but they also would stop me dead in my tracks if I tried to accelerate my heart rate at all, with dizzy spells, nausea and a pleura of  symptoms that were not so conducive to a feeling of well being.
 
That's over now.  It all changed when I received an Atrial flutter A-symptomatic pacemaker in October of this past year, I am the first person in the Province to have one of these pacemakers which is the newest technology.  The key to this particular pacemaker is that it is training my heart to beat properly. I still get periodic episodes of flutter but they are manageable and as time progresses the episodes are getting shorter in duration and they are happening less and less often, so this little mechanical devise has given me a quality of life that I have been seriously missing in the past few years.

Read more: How to Trick Ourselves into Eating Less?