Sleep Story: Hiking Spion Kop

A bedtime story isn't just for kids; it's for everyone, including you. Picture those nights when your mind is racing with a thousand thoughts, making it nearly impossible to fall asleep. That's where this story comes in - about a hike in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. It's a soothing and enchanting escape, designed to help you unwind and find peace from a busy mind. By immersing yourself in this tale, you can shift your focus away from life's worries and distractions, and gently drift into a restful night's sleep. So, whether you're a child or an adult, let this story guide you into the tranquil realm of dreams, where the worries of the day can fade away, and a night of peaceful sleep awaits.

Transcript

Hi,

Thank you for joining me for this bedtime story.

It can be hard to fall asleep sometimes,

And I'm hoping this story can help you with that.

To give your mind something calming to focus on,

So you can shift your thoughts off events of the day,

And get the sleep you deserve.

My name is Susan Guttridge,

And I've written this story based on a hike I went on this spring.

Okay,

Dim the lights around you,

Get cozy in your bed,

Pull your warm sheets or blankets up,

Let your head rest comfortably on your pillow,

And if it's okay,

Let your eyes just close.

Before we get started,

Imagine for a moment that you could take today,

Full of all of its experiences,

Both good and challenging,

And put them into a container.

What kind of container would you like to imagine using?

Scan through your body now,

Notice any bits of the day still lingering with you.

Perhaps these are sensations you feel in your body,

Emotions you feel in your heart,

Or thoughts you notice in your mind.

First notice them there,

And then imagine them sliding out from your body and into that container.

Inhaling in,

And as you exhale out,

Further releasing any bits of emotions,

Sensations,

And thoughts of the day,

Releasing them into the container.

And now securely placing the lid onto the container.

Imagine storing it somewhere where it will be secure and safe,

Not in the bedroom with you,

For your bedroom is your haven of rest,

Free from rumination.

Your container will be safe outside of your bedroom.

After all,

We can do anything with our imagination,

So let's use it for your benefit,

For your peace of mind.

As you picture the container there,

Know that we are not locking your experiences away,

We're just putting them down for now,

Because now is your time to sleep.

Tomorrow you can open the container,

Sort through the experiences,

Review them,

You can make new sense of them,

Once your brain and body has been rested.

For now your only task is rest,

To create a relaxing space for your body and brain to settle,

To drift off into a peaceful sleep.

Putting that container down now,

Giving yourself permission to turn towards sleep,

Take three long deep breaths.

All right,

Let's get your story started.

All you have to do is rest comfortably in your bed,

Let your imagination follow my voice.

I'll say good night now to you,

Just in case you fall asleep before the story is complete.

Good night and sweet dreams.

In the heart of British Columbia's enchanting Okanagan Valley lies a beautiful countryside called Lake Country.

Here nature thrives in all its brilliance,

A place where the whimsy of the wild meets the serenity of the human spirit.

A sanctuary of natural beauty where time itself seems to slow down.

This idyllic haven was my chosen destination.

On a sunny spring morning I set out on an adventure,

Ready to embrace the tranquil wonders of the Spion Kop Trail.

As I arrived at the trailhead,

Nestled on the outskirts of Lake Country,

My heart brimmed with anticipation.

It spilled outward as a smile on my lips and a bounce in my step.

The journey up to this point had been enjoyable,

My jeep hugging the picturesque country roads,

Which were bordered by lush orchards and vineyards draped in vines.

I had parked along Pelmwash Drive near the trailhead.

There are four roads that lead to various access points for the Spion Kop Trail.

I chose this one because I wanted to walk the summit trail,

One that leads all the way to the top to the summit.

Setting out,

I made sure my water bottle was tightly closed and then tucked it into my backpack and walked over to the grassy trail.

I walked along a dirt path to the trailhead,

A rustic gateway to the wonders that lay ahead.

I felt welcomed by a wooden sign bearing the words Spion Kop.

It stood proudly at the edge of a sun-dappled clearing,

Where a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers.

Looking at the trailhead signage,

I was surprised to see that there were actually ten different trails,

Ranging from moderate to difficult and each one with different lengths.

Content with my trail choice and ready for the undertaking,

I looked ahead at the path stretching out before me,

A trail leading deep into the heart of the forest.

As I walked,

I smiled when I saw up ahead a chipmunk poke its head out from the grasses lining the path,

And I watched as it scampered along the trail ahead of me for a time before disappearing out of sight.

Looking around,

I saw towering fir trees forming a comforting canopy overhead,

Their branches casting playful shadows on the forest floor.

As I ventured forth,

The mossy ground underfoot felt like a lush carpet,

A tactile reminder of nature's embrace.

Along the first kilometer of the path,

Nestled in tree roots or tucked against a cluster of wildflowers were beautifully hand-painted rocks someone had thoughtfully left for the next traveler,

Markers of encouragement,

Bearing messages such as,

Believe you can,

And keep going.

My heart warmed as I thought of the person who took the time to create something so thoughtful,

So as to make another person,

Someone they didn't even know,

Smile.

It reminded me that there is so much good in this world.

As I walked along,

The well-marked path unfurled like a ribbon of adventure before me.

I kept a curious eye out for more gems I might catch a glimpse of.

Wildflowers lined the trail,

Thickets of bushes full of birds,

A flurry of activity as they jumped and fluttered from branch to branch.

I caught sight of a deer at one point.

I stilled myself while it grazed on some of the lush grasses before it bounded away through the trees.

With each step I took,

I bore in mind the wisdom of the land and the respect it deserved.

Nature's creatures thrived here,

Including the majestic bears that called this place home.

To ensure my safety and theirs,

I had prepared carefully.

Clipped to my backpack was a bear bell,

Its melodious chime announcing my presence with a jingling tune,

A way to let the forest's guardians know that a fellow traveler was just passing through.

As I wandered deeper into the forest,

A chorus of life serenaded me.

Squirrels chased one another throughout the branches,

Chattering as I passed,

Creating the only ruckus in this tranquil setting.

The endless song of birds and chickadees as they flitted from tree to tree.

So recognizable were those little chickadees,

With their brown feathers and black caps and cheerful chickadee-dee-dee calls.

And,

Of course,

The constant rhythmic chirp of crickets completed the forest orchestra.

Something had caught my eye,

And I looked up to see an eagle as it circled overhead,

Its wings outstretched in the endless blue canvas of the sky.

I paused to revel in its awe-inspiring grace,

And I uttered a word of gratitude for having been in the right moments at the right time to have caught glimpse of such a majestic creature.

The path continued its gentle ascent,

Revealing a tapestry of springtime beauty.

Pink heather grew in clusters.

Wild daisies.

So many wildflowers adorned the forest floor and danced in the springtime breeze.

Their colors a procession of purples,

Yellows,

And whites.

Butterflies danced among the blooms,

While plump bumblebees hummed a soothing lullaby as they gathered nectar.

Before long,

I reached a clearing with a breathtaking view.

Below,

The lake stretched out like a shimmering sapphire,

Its waters reflecting the azure sky above.

In the distance,

The rows of homes nestled peacefully among the hillside,

A testament to human ingenuity coexisting with nature's grandeur.

I can admit now that I did wander off the summit trail at various points,

Perhaps because these beautiful views and moments in nature so distracted me,

And at times I had felt a bit unsure of my direction.

To my fortune,

Though,

I was able to follow the colored trail markers to track my progress,

And I knew that as long as I was always walking upwards,

I'd eventually reach the summit.

I carried with me a map that was very helpful.

It showed me that I crossed a part of the path called the connector,

And also crossed over a part of the trail named Arrowleaf.

I wondered if it was named after the Arrowleaf balsam root flower,

Which is a gorgeous flower with yellow petals almost resembling those of a sunflower.

In the springtime,

These dot the hillside and bring it to life with color.

Speaking of beautiful places named after beautiful flowers,

There's also a winery in Lake Country named Arrowleaf.

I once went there on a wine tour with friends,

And I learned that their wines are made from locally sourced grapes,

Perhaps the vineyards that I had passed today on my way to this trail.

I remember we had enjoyed the afternoon just sitting outside in their picnic area.

It was so peaceful and serene with lake views.

It's a nice memory to have while walking on a trail up a hillside in the heat of the mid-morning sun,

But rest assured there is no winery at the end of the Arrowleaf trail,

Just more climbing.

More views growing ever more vast as we make our way higher to the top.

The summit of Spion Kop,

The ultimate destination,

Beckoned me onwards as I walked.

I had read that the words Spion Kop were a Dutch term meaning look out hill,

And I'd been looking forward to witnessing this view for myself.

It's what had kept me walking upward today,

Ever upward.

A few more winding turns of the path,

And I reached the summit.

And there,

Yes,

It truly was Lookout Hill.

At an elevation gain of 870 meters,

The entire valley lay sprawled below me.

This expansive view revealed Okanagan Valley in all its glory.

Its orchards,

Hillsides,

Vineyards,

And lakes.

From this vantage point,

It was clear to see the pristine Okanagan Lake,

Wood Lake,

Ellison Lake,

And Kalamalka Lake.

And off in the distance,

Snow-capped peaks framed the horizon like a postcard from paradise.

The summit itself was adorned with a few rocky outcroppings,

Offering the perfect spot for me to rest.

I settled down,

Feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin,

And the gentle breeze rustling my hair.

It was a moment of serenity,

Of simple connection with nature at its finest.

Sitting under a clear sky,

I watched patiently as a butterfly flitted through the wildflowers around me.

So delicate,

So graceful.

In the distance,

I could hear the faint voices and laughter of other hikers making their way toward the summit.

And I smiled,

Because now I knew what they would come to witness upon their arrival.

I felt a sense of accomplishment for having hiked to the summit.

And now,

Sitting here,

I felt a profound sense of peacefulness.

Spion Kop had shared its timeless beauty with me.

And in return,

In it,

I found solace,

Tranquility.

I wondered how many people before me had sat on this rock,

With the valley outstretching before them,

Taking in the peaceful stillness,

Just reflecting.

Sitting there,

A song by my favorite band came to mind.

Does that ever happen to you?

Where song lyrics spill into your mind like the soundtrack of the moment you are in,

Just as the wind can kick up a rustling sound as it dances through leaves,

Or a river's melody as waves ripple and currents whirl?

Music just has a remarkable way of intertwining with our experiences,

Almost as if the universe conspires to serenade us with the perfect tune for the moment.

That's how I felt,

Sitting at the summit,

With the lyrics of Imagine Dragons' I'm on top of the world playing in my mind,

As if on cue,

Reminding me that sometimes life harmonizes perfectly with the songs we've come to love.

I wanted to hike to the summit today,

And I didn't give up partway through.

As I sat at the top of the summit,

A sense of accomplishment washed over me,

And a profound gratitude for my body's strength and ability.

Despite the whispering ache in my calves,

I persevered,

Never faltering on my commitment to reach the summit.

I hiked all that way for something,

And the view of the Okanagan Valley did not disappoint.

I took a deep breath as I realized my day was far from over,

For I still had to hike back down.

Quite the journey still lay ahead of me,

But my heart felt so content.

I began my descent,

Guided by the warmth of the midday sun.

With each descending step,

I imagined the forest whispering its farewell,

The creatures of the wild bidding me adieu,

The flowers diverse and wild and beautiful as ever,

Waving their petals in the subtle spring breeze,

The western honeysuckle with its trumpet-shaped flowers,

Some white,

Some pink.

I even spotted some yellow ones,

The delicate pink flowers of bitterroot with its stocky succulent leaves,

The tall purple larkspur.

I was certainly too focused on the flowers and wildlife,

Because mistakenly,

I took another wrong turn.

I know I did,

Because what I saw on this part of the trail I had not seen on my way up.

Some playful soul had placed happy garden gnomes along a portion of the trail,

Hidden amongst the foliage.

I saw one with a green cap,

Another with a red,

Another carrying a sign that read FRIEND.

I counted ten gnomes in total,

Though I may have missed some.

It's because some gnomes were placed in plain sight,

While others were more obscurely placed that only the most intentional,

Curious eye could have caught glimpse of.

As I continued my descent,

I thought it might be fitting to rename that section of the trail.

Perhaps Gleeful Gnome Glade,

Or Gnome's Row,

Or Gnome's Grove Trail.

I wondered if the owner of the gnomes thought about the hikers who took notice.

Perhaps this person giggled to themselves as they imagined the look of surprise on hikers' faces as they passed through the valley of the gnomes.

That thought made me smile.

On I walked,

Enamored by the tranquil forest around me.

As I returned to the trailhead,

It seemed as though the world had transformed.

The green of tree leaves seemed even more greener.

The skies appeared clearer,

The lake shimmering and sparkling like diamonds as the sunlight reflected on the ripples and waves.

The song of birds seemed ever more cheerful as they chattered back and forth to each other,

From branch to branch and tree to tree.

I paused,

My feet strong and solid on the ground,

Taking in all the beauty surrounding me.

As I had walked each step,

My cares had melted away,

Replaced by a sense of profound peace.

The natural wonders of nature around me,

My breath slow,

Deep,

Rhythmic.

Perhaps what I was seeing around me was as it had been at the start of my journey,

But what had changed was me.

I was present.

I was calm.

My eyes,

Ears,

And heart open.

I had experienced the magic of Spion Kop,

A place where nature intertwines with soul and perfect harmony.

That magic lingers with me even now as I settle in for bedtime,

Getting cozy in my bed,

Resting my sleepy head on my pillow.

The brilliance of the day,

That clear blue sky,

It transitioned with the setting sun to dusk,

To the darkness of night,

Lit now with twinkling stars and the glow of the moon.

I have in my heart and my mind the memory of my hike,

And this night I know my dreams will be filled with the calm I felt while wrapped in Spion Kop's beauty.

As you settle in for your bedtime and rest your head on your cozy pillow,

I hope there's a hike in your near future,

On a sunny spring day,

With the trail outstretched before you,

Inviting you onwards.

One where,

As you take that first step,

You find yourself entering into the hidden gem of nature,

Where you find the serenity and tranquility your soul seeks,

A place where nature's beauty whispers its timeless secrets,

And where the worries of the world are left far behind.

Until next time,

May your days be as beautiful as this spring day hike.

Good night.