Mohitos, eagles and the saw mill
I went back home to visit the parents this weekend. My visit consists of taking the milk route via Vancouver before I can actually get to Prince George. Apparently the airlines have decided that not enough people want to go to PG to warrant a direct flight, yet the flight from Vancouver is usually fairly full. So what could be an 1.5hr jaunt usually takes me 4hrs now. But on the positive side a stopover in Vancouver International Airport usually means a trip to the Rocky Mountain Candy store where they have caramel apples the size of my head and they are hmmm hmm good. Mind you I took a chance on a caramel apple rolled in white icing and covered in coconut. It looked appealing. The experience was less than stellar but hell, you gotta take risks sometime. Next time I'll stick to my caramel apple rolled in chocolate usually followed with a margarita in the bar. A 12yr old trapped in an adult's body DOES have its perks from time to time.
My parents picked me up in Prince George and after running some errands with them in PG and the smaller town of Vanderhoof we were headed back to their home, 2hrs west of PG on the North Shore of Fraser Lake. Hanging with my folks continues to teach me about myself. For one thing, I realize that I have slowly and insidiously embraced the fast pace of city life. This becomes apparent when I walk with my parents as they shuffle along, look at this and that and don't have any time limit. Part of me is chomping at the bit to get to their place so I can kick back and relax. And then I remind myself that this part of my trip can be relaxing too.
As we drive west I am always impressed with the energetic feeling of the rolling hills and trees. The feeling I experience is the body awarness that there are hardly any people in this area. Just miles and miles of trees. Its a space that I feel I can take a deep breath from.
The Interior of BC is not an idyllic place that the coastal or southern areas or the mountain towns seem to conjure and lure tourists to. This area is a juxstaposition of wildness and emptyness with the ever present industry of logging. The scenery is broken up by the saw mills along the side of the road. Perhaps it's because I grew up in an industry town but I don't find this disconcerting. I know there is clear cutting just a few miles in, hidden from view. Nature and industry coexist side by side because they have to. The towns in this area lack the ambiance of the lower main-land communities. There are no roadside fruitstands and tourist attractions. But what these places lack in "charm" I find they make up for in simply being who they are with no apologies. Big trucks with gas tanks in the back, vehicles with plenty of dirt and miles on them and people with plenty of dirt and miles on them as well. Life is not necessarily kind or easy, it brings what it brings.
At the lake I spend time on the deck. I look over and really take a good look at the saw mill that is right across the water. In the summer it's partially hidden from view by the trees. I realise that I never mention the saw mill when talking to my friends about the time I spend at the lake, I almost erase it from my memory. But the hum of the industry over there is ever present when you listen for it, and quickly becomes unnoticed. Not much different than the din of traffic or the volume of conversation in a food court. Mom motions that over at the creek on the otherside of the bay is a Juvenile eagle hanging out. He is still mottled brown and hasn't developed the telltale white head and tail yet.This bird looks to be almost 3ft high just sitting there, now thats a "big bird"! While I'm watching him with the binoculars, a deer walks out from the trees to lunch on some leaves. I'm struck with the dichotomy that I can be watching "Wild Kingdom" while hearing the din of the saw mill in the background. But it represents what I love about this area, it's not perfect, we don't "get away from it all" but there is incredible beauty at the same time.
While at the lake I introduce mom and Ray to Mohitos. A lovely summer drink consisting of lime juice, water, sugar, rum and mint. The nice part is that all mom has to do is go outside to grab the mint that grows wild around the deck. One double mohito is enough to get me into a lazy stupour. Ok I think I'm relaxing now.
Time spent at the lake is really about time spent with my parents. I go fishing with Ray, it's our time together and mom always finds a reason not to come. Ray and I don't say much but I appreciate just hanging out in the boat with him and watching him in his element. At 87, (and I don't care how healthy he is) moments with him need to be appreciated. Visiting with mom is always entertaining and I continue to appreciate her optimistic attitude on life or as I like to say, admiring the purple colour of her sky.
By the end of 3 days, as much as I've tried to embrace relaxing, I'm ready to come home to my busy life. But I keep the vision of the lake in my minds eye and I appreciate the ability to view wildlife so closely. I'm thankful for the visit with my parents. I look forward to going back in the fall. Mohitos will be replaced by Ceasars and I bet that eagle will be bald. The mill will still be there too humming along.
My parents picked me up in Prince George and after running some errands with them in PG and the smaller town of Vanderhoof we were headed back to their home, 2hrs west of PG on the North Shore of Fraser Lake. Hanging with my folks continues to teach me about myself. For one thing, I realize that I have slowly and insidiously embraced the fast pace of city life. This becomes apparent when I walk with my parents as they shuffle along, look at this and that and don't have any time limit. Part of me is chomping at the bit to get to their place so I can kick back and relax. And then I remind myself that this part of my trip can be relaxing too.
As we drive west I am always impressed with the energetic feeling of the rolling hills and trees. The feeling I experience is the body awarness that there are hardly any people in this area. Just miles and miles of trees. Its a space that I feel I can take a deep breath from.
The Interior of BC is not an idyllic place that the coastal or southern areas or the mountain towns seem to conjure and lure tourists to. This area is a juxstaposition of wildness and emptyness with the ever present industry of logging. The scenery is broken up by the saw mills along the side of the road. Perhaps it's because I grew up in an industry town but I don't find this disconcerting. I know there is clear cutting just a few miles in, hidden from view. Nature and industry coexist side by side because they have to. The towns in this area lack the ambiance of the lower main-land communities. There are no roadside fruitstands and tourist attractions. But what these places lack in "charm" I find they make up for in simply being who they are with no apologies. Big trucks with gas tanks in the back, vehicles with plenty of dirt and miles on them and people with plenty of dirt and miles on them as well. Life is not necessarily kind or easy, it brings what it brings.
At the lake I spend time on the deck. I look over and really take a good look at the saw mill that is right across the water. In the summer it's partially hidden from view by the trees. I realise that I never mention the saw mill when talking to my friends about the time I spend at the lake, I almost erase it from my memory. But the hum of the industry over there is ever present when you listen for it, and quickly becomes unnoticed. Not much different than the din of traffic or the volume of conversation in a food court. Mom motions that over at the creek on the otherside of the bay is a Juvenile eagle hanging out. He is still mottled brown and hasn't developed the telltale white head and tail yet.This bird looks to be almost 3ft high just sitting there, now thats a "big bird"! While I'm watching him with the binoculars, a deer walks out from the trees to lunch on some leaves. I'm struck with the dichotomy that I can be watching "Wild Kingdom" while hearing the din of the saw mill in the background. But it represents what I love about this area, it's not perfect, we don't "get away from it all" but there is incredible beauty at the same time.
While at the lake I introduce mom and Ray to Mohitos. A lovely summer drink consisting of lime juice, water, sugar, rum and mint. The nice part is that all mom has to do is go outside to grab the mint that grows wild around the deck. One double mohito is enough to get me into a lazy stupour. Ok I think I'm relaxing now.
Time spent at the lake is really about time spent with my parents. I go fishing with Ray, it's our time together and mom always finds a reason not to come. Ray and I don't say much but I appreciate just hanging out in the boat with him and watching him in his element. At 87, (and I don't care how healthy he is) moments with him need to be appreciated. Visiting with mom is always entertaining and I continue to appreciate her optimistic attitude on life or as I like to say, admiring the purple colour of her sky.
By the end of 3 days, as much as I've tried to embrace relaxing, I'm ready to come home to my busy life. But I keep the vision of the lake in my minds eye and I appreciate the ability to view wildlife so closely. I'm thankful for the visit with my parents. I look forward to going back in the fall. Mohitos will be replaced by Ceasars and I bet that eagle will be bald. The mill will still be there too humming along.
posted by Lise B at Monday, June 12, 2006
1 Comments:
My God Lise, that sounds like it belongs in "Chicken Soup for the Daughter's Soul." I really enjoyed it and I'm glad you had a nice time.
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