Patrick knew that nature held many hidden secrets and mysteries for an imaginative boy. He also knew that there were adventures just waiting for the right moment and the right person to stumble upon them. Like many thirteen-year-old boys, he was no exception. As the school year ended and his long awaited summer break began, he embarked on an adventure that would forever change how he felt about nature. During his long awaited visit to his cousins, who lived along the river at Hatfield Park, he discovers kayaking and much…much more. Come join Patrick as he paddles his way into the heart of the grasslands and discovers its natural and cultural history and some of its hidden secrets.

Could the legendary Bigfoot exist among the ancient redwoods and rugged terrain of California s Eel River Valley? Little is known of the Sinkyone people who once called those majestic forests their home. With their passing went their knowledge of their mythical legends, sacred location and unspoken areas to be left alone, lost forever or were they? Generations of park rangers have sworn to protect one of the largest remaining groves of ancient coast redwoods. Since the park dedication, there has been at least one Bigfoot related report a year. For the most part, they were never taken very serious, written off as misidentified wildlife, or an over active imagination brought on by the aura of an ancient forest and even a self fulfilling prophecy for those who really want to believe. For one skeptical ranger, they were nothing more than entertaining folklore and myths. That all changed one-day after a series of Bigfoot related reports were brought to his attention. During his search for answers, he discovered that there was more to the redwoods then he ever imagined and found himself down a path that would forever change his way of thinking.

A family inherits a dilapidated dairy in the Eel River bottoms and has plans to refurbish it back into the famous dairy it once was over half a century ago. With lots of work to do, it leaves the oldest daughter with very little time to answer her growing curiosity about the surrounding estuary. In between school and the never-ending list of chores, she satisfies her desire to explore with the gift of a kayak. Learning about the surrounding river and estuary wilderness only piques her desire to explore. While on an afternoon paddle with a friend, a startling discovery in the soft mud of the estuary leads them to believe that her little wilderness isn't as uninhabited as she thought. Her search for the answer leads her down the path of discovery. Determined to find an understanding, no matter what it takes, she embarks on a journey that will change her determination and outlook forever.

Martial arts was one thing that Shawn, a 15-year-old boy from a small California town was good at and he knew it. But, it was his misguided anger from his parent's separation that got him into trouble. When Shawn's Sensei found out that he had been starting fights, he rallied to set Shawn straight giving him two choices, to either quit the arts that he loved so much or to take him and his friend on a quest into the wilderness. It takes a fight with persistent bullies to encourage Shawn to choose a quest into the heart of the wilderness, a place he has never been before. The deeper they traveled into the shadows of the ancient forest the greater the mystery became. With the help of a spirit guide, he pushes himself beyond his wildest dreams. The solitude only seems to make his imagination come alive as he challenged his mind, body and spirit. Despite all he has learned, felt and seen, he finds that his hardest challenge was yet to come.

Fionna, a quiet young teen and a handful of her friends take advantage of an unusual break in the winter weather and embark on a backpacking trip into the ancient redwoods. Everything is perfect until an unexpected storm rears its ugly head. Tragedy strikes and one of their numbers goes missing, leaving the others desperate for answers. Fionna is found by park rangers' days later in the heart of the ancient forest, a mysterious portion of the park that others have never seen. A place where the trees are massive and ferns grow larger than expected. A place where voices an Celtic music echoes in the breeze. When the recovering teen awakens from her mysterious coma, she is surprised by her dreams of ancient fairies and the fulfillment of her strange family legacy. To accomplish this Fionna needs to convince the rangers that fairies exist, and get them to put aside their differences and help. The quest becomes easier said than done when miracles happen, strangeness becomes the norm and a relentless reporter tries to blow the lid off the impossible. Do fairies exist? Can ancient trees ultimately save man kind? It's always better not to find out the hard way.

If you're planning a visit to Cathedral Park in B.C., chances are you already know of its rich biodiversity, breathtaking alpine vistas, and clear, cold lakes. But whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson familiar with the area or a beginner camper looking to check a new park off your list, there is no better manual than John Henry’s Guide to Backcountry Adventure in Cathedral Park. Nestled between the damp coastal forests and the hot, dry Okanagan wine country, this gem of a park has long been host to countless species of plants, animals, and fungi—along with author John Henry himself, who worked as a park facility officer there for twelve years. Drawing on his extensive firsthand experience, Mr. Henry is an invaluable guide, walking readers through . . . • The park’s trails and possible routes for hikers • The rich natural history of the park and its many geologic formations • How to identify the various plants, animals, and mushrooms that call the park home • And much more . . . Mr. Henry’s own experiences in the park help bolster the useful advice and expansive information presented here about one of the greatest natural treasures of the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Concise, thorough, and organized, this carry-along guide is sure to prove indispensable to visitors to Cathedral Park, current or aspiring.