Hike

A few days ago I had the pleasure of taking five young co-workers on a hike into the back country. This is special for me because I get to show them places that bring peace to me.

Many of my young co-workers are new to the area coming from across Canada and other countries. They often don’t have vehicles nor do they know many spots to explore, so this gives them a chance to see some spots off the beaten path. They are very hard workers, their job is not easy making their days off precious.

To make the hike better my good friend Dave, after not being sure if he could come, signed on at the last moment. Dave is smart, being able to point out plants, animals, geological landmarks and also very funny. To top it off he is in great condition and can keep up the conversation on the hike while I am sucking wind climbing the mountain. The youngsters enjoyed his company and wealth of knowledge.

The young group of Jack, Payton, Kennedy, Wylder and Isobel were keen and wonderful hikers. Not a complaint and they watched over each other. That is so important on trips to the backcountry, you help each other, stay together and keep each other safe. It sounds easy but it is not always the way with young groups. Often people want to go out on their own. Sometimes when you hear of someone becoming lost that is exactly how it occurs, they are unsure of their surroundings and leave the group.

Jack from the UK was along. He hiked with Dave and I in the fall and is not only a great guy to work with, but a tremendous outdoorsman as well. If I ever broke an ankle on the mountain I am sure he would just throw me on his back and pack me down. To say he is as strong as an ox is an understatement.

Payton, Kennedy, Isobel and Wylder seemed at home in the mountains and had big smiles through the forest and on the rocks.

Payton now has a good friend in Willow as she made sure Willow had plenty of water throughout the hike, kindly sharing from her camel pack. I hope Willow does not expect the same treatment from me.

Kennedy finding a route through the moraine.

I am not sure there is a mountain big enough for Kennedy, as she tackled every rock and rise with unending stamina. I am convinced she could have ran the glaciers and been back while we had lunch.

Isobel making Willow think she will be carried the rest of the way.

Isobel was a great leader on the trail and was able to stay on route. I felt joy almost radiating from her while she looked to the mountain tops and blue water. I have a feeling hiking is going to be a big part of her life.

Wylder took the lead on the return trail off the mountain. He is a great young man, mindful and helpful to his companions. He also is well read and able to keep up intellectually with Dave, no easy feat.

When we reached the top lake everybody jumped in for a quick bone chilling dip. It was decided females are much tougher than men.

Jack showing off before he takes the plunge.

Lisa, long ago, said to me the mountains are where I go to heal and rest. That’s true. She also said that isn’t the way for most people, so don’t be disappointed if other people don’t see it that way. It is true I get profoundly disappointed when I see reckless, careless and destructive behaviour in the bush.

Five wonderful young people and one old fart.

I am grateful this young group had confidence in Dave and I to take them out. It is my hope that these small hikes will show the joy the mountains offer. I really felt these young people saw it and got it.

Wild Orchids/Grasshoppers

Lisa and I were out looking for orchids a few days ago. Over the years we have found places where these wild flowers grow. It is always special when we find new spots with flowers.

The season is short for most orchids making when to look as important as where.

This is an excerpt from Orchids of British Columbia by AF Szczawinski published in 1959:

“The orchid family is unusual among the higher plants for a good many reasons, such as extreme variation, highly specialized flowers, and a great range of habitat. It is interesting that the number of seeds produced in a single capsule is, in many cases phenomenal. A count made at the Greenwich Observatory, England, showed that a capsule contained 3,770,000 microscopic seeds.”

“Unless the conditions of temperature, moisture, soil and shelter are ideal, failure for the seedlings is certain. There is only one chance in thousands that such conditions will occur. If only a small percentage of the seeds from each plant could grow to maturity, orchids would be as common as grass.”

***

We have been overrun by grasshoppers. The garden has taken a beating. They seem to go after the youngest plants first effectively killing them. There are other plants they don’t seem to be bothered with such as peas.

The grasshoppers are small and growing. I could use a herd of turkeys to take care of these buggers. Perhaps I should figure out a way to trap them and deep fry them, smother them with seasoning and sell them at the farmers market. Dirty Bob’s Spicy Grasshopper Crunch. It could be a hit.

Travel

Quick trip into the big city. We left early and the three hours went by quick with us chatting and the traffic lite. The smoke from the forest fires wasn’t too bad.

We hit Costco. We had shopping lists for four families. It went surprisingly smooth and didn’t have to wait at check out.

I bought a couple of Lavender and Barberry bushes at about the third the price I could get them at home. Then we fuelled up with the cheapest gas in Canada. Albertans love to bitch, but they don’t know how good they have it. Not that I’d ever trade places.

Now I just have to figure out where to put those Barberry and Lavender bushes.

***

Lisa had her appointment and we stopped at a mall so she could find a dress for a summer wedding we are invited to.

Looking for the dress took longer than Costco and the appointment put together. I walked around the mall looking through windows, but not going in. I saw Louis C.K. working at Sporting Life at the South Centre Mall. He was taller than he looks on TV. But it was him, sure as hell.

Lisa found a wonderful bright pant suit and colourful top. A summer ensemble. She looks gorgeous in it. Now I’m feeling bad for her, because I am going to look shabby on her arm.

***

The way home was a steady stream of traffic with every kind of driver. I like to hang back and give the impatient plenty of room in case they have to dodge in on the two lane highway through Kootenay National Park. There was a few times I felt like closing the gap and leave them hanging out there in oncoming traffic, but that wouldn’t be good for anybody.

***

When we were home and unloaded, I checked the garden. Perhaps it was the walk stretching my legs. I had a twelve second fart that broke the quiet of the evening. Even the birds stopped chirping and were struck with awe. A few neighbours came out and looked skyward. I had been travelling in the truck all day with Lisa and it built up. I was impressed I still had it in me.

Rain and the sound it makes

Plenty of rain but it won’t be enough. God nows where the falling rain goes. Here we are at the headwaters with Stripped Turtles, Herons, Fossils, Native Fish, where not much changes. Sure we can bitch, compared to the rest of humanity we have it better. Who am I not to enjoy it.

Spring Ridge

Marking the season. Clouds with the Milky Way.

Morning Walk

A very nice walk this morning with Kelsie, Cooper and Scarlett. Lisa and I are lucky to have them along. Willow and Lola ran through the creek and fetched rocks and sticks. Lisa and Scarlett brought back pussy willows.

Scarlett decides to cross the creek on her bum. A good choice when unsure.

Horns

My father used to say, ‘Horns make poor soup.’ It was a way of saying, while hunting, to choose an animal, not by the size of the antlers, but how it will taste when it is on the table.

Willow thinks the horns taste just fine thank you!

Mid April News

Put some of the seedlings in bigger pots. They looked half dead and pissed off after I was finished, not much for starting plants inside.

***

Twitter labeled CBC “government funded media”. Which made me laugh. Of course they are. Most of their funding comes from the government. It doesn’t necessarily make the CBC bad. True the broadcaster endorses the Liberal Party agenda. But so what? I take heed when Chrystia Freeland tells us to buckle down and Justin Trudeau says everything is going swimmingly. There isn’t a news agency out there that is reporting without an agenda. That’s the way it is now. If you are seeking the truth, listen to a lot of news. The bullshit will come through. Of course it will be fucking exhausting and will leave you crosseyed, bewildered and, more than likely, worse off. I’ll take CBC any day, sometimes you have to settle for the least of the worst.

***

I think Orwell has me right. While the shit hits the fan. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I have a bunch of work to do. The work is going to make me happy, appliances fixed and running tickety boo. Grass mown. Looking good, for this time of year.

Early April

A couple inches of wet snow overnight. It will be gone in a hurry. It seems winter is trying to hang on.

Lisa and I went for a short walk behind the mountain. We were hoping to see a few Meadowlarks. Lisa said she heard their distinct call the other day. We did see Chickadees, Siskins and Robins. Not many got close enough for a picture.

Back in the valley bottom I walked the road, but still no luck, instead I shot a few old fence-lines.

All and all a overcast black and white day. It was good to get out even if briefly.

End of the Week

A good week, plenty of work completed, including starting on some upcoming projects and I was able to get out a few morning to take pictures. The new camera is still proving a challenge and will take more practice to get used to it.

***

The picture above is of a man who sets up off the highway on the Radium Hill. You have to admire his commitment as he has been there for about two months. He sets up each morning and takes down at night.

I’m not sure of his cause. Probably Covid and the vaccines, presenting his own demonstration, having missed the trucker debacle in Ottawa.

He has six large Canadian flags on both sides of the highway, all flying upside down, signifying distress.

I like to think someone does a wellness check on him once and awhile to make sure he isn’t getting the urge to hang grandpa’s 30-06 out the window.

The Fuck Trudeau flags are nothing new. We live beside Alberta, so we get our share of that hyperbole shoved in our faces from the most well-off, privileged, people in Canada.

My friend has a daughter entrenched in conspiracy theories. She believes them all. Especially about the government, forcing deadly vaccines on us for a made up pandemic, among many other theories, deep state, lizard people, you name it. It is a great sadness for my friend, because his daughter isolates herself and her kids, hiding behind walls, not visiting, as long as it has an internet connection.

But this is what I don’t understand; his daughter is on every kind of government assistance that is offered. If you hated the government wouldn’t you refuse the money? Don’t get me wrong, it is good they have help, but it must go against her strong convictions. Would it not be a red flag to question those convictions?

Which gets me back to the guy on the Radium Hill. He has been there for months now. He is either independently wealthy, or like my friends daughter, taking money from the very government he is protesting.

He is not hurting anybody flying his flags, but I can’t help but feel sorry for him.

***

On a lighter note. I bought Willow a new toy. It looked indestructible.

Eight minute later.

Palliser Pass

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