Friday, August 3, 2012

Reality Check



There’s still a few stories to catch up on but I took a break and seized the day. It was way too nice out to sit inside in front of a computer all day. I took the bike out and climbed a mountain. Now that’s what I’m talking about.



I hiked up mount Strachan on Cypress more commonly known as the Sky Chair for skiers and boarders. It’s a great spot to see the Lions and Howe Sound.





Looking west you can even see the mountain range composing Vancouver Island. At night you can even see the city lights from Victoria and Nanaimo. It’s hard to imagine living in Vancouver all your life and never seeing it. I only found it myself a few years ago.



Saw a bear on the way up and the way down. I asked one of the guys who worked on the mountain what the bear was eating and he said the grass. I thought he was digging around and eating ants or something. I didn’t know bears ate grass. I suppose if it will feed cows and horses it will feed bears too. I know berry season won’t last them forever. I really should get some bear spray.

Martin Luther king talked about a time when every valley shall be exalted and every mountain shall be made low. The rough places will be made smooth and the crooked places will be made straight. I sure hope that’s allegorical. The Green Glens of Antrim are nice but nothing beats the mountain peaks.

I remember hearing that song about Nova Scotia on the cached version of the Freedom Riders web site. Nova Scotia is nice. It’s a lot like here. We don’t have many traditional songs out west but I did find one called Western Highway. I thought one of the Rankin Family sang it but I suppose the song has been around for a while.



I am a driver (rider) on a western highway from the mountains to the sea. And there’s a song of the western highway that’s saying I will be free. Wait a minute, I am free. I’m not the one spending Christmas in prison. Pimping crack hos has nothing to do with living the dream. Getting out there and enjoying life does. From the mountains to the sea. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

4 comments:

  1. Great post! I would have turned back when I saw the bear!

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  2. Thanks. They say you’re supposed to talk loudly and calmly and as long as you don’t surprise the bear you’re OK. That’s why I prefer to hike up the open ski runs than the narrow hiking trails where anything can jump out at you. I hate those bear bells. Aside from being annoying they seem to me like a dinner bell. Here I am come and get me. I’m far more concerned about cougars that sneak up and stalk you. Yet there have been a lot of bear attacks lately. Bear spray is good to have.

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  3. Wow, you really did get into the Mountains :)

    love the pics, just stunning, this is why we need 2 Stop Enbridge Oil Tankers Kinder Morgan & all the Greed that comes with it.

    BC belongs 2 us we should have and will have a say what happens to our beautiful Province and Country for that matter.

    Greed has & will keep continue 2 destroy our Environment if we let it happen, we are the The People we got the Power.

    Unless there is a Party that will Govern us not Rule us and represent the People, we have to stand in Unity in Solidarity and if needed we need a Revolution.

    BC is not 4 Sale anymore, neither is Canada as a Country, the Rulers have 2 be taking out of their seats and their Power 2 dictate & rob us has to be taken away and given back 2 the People.

    We are BC, We are Canada, we Love our beautiful Country, but we will have 2 fight for our Rights, enough is enough.

    I am just one person on Disability that is being screwed over by our Government, there are lots of People out there that can't afford their medication never mind housing.

    Solidarity :)
    Sorry I didn't mean to spoil the Beauty :) I want 2 protect it at all cost :)

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  4. No worries, you raise a valid point. As it is, when I hike in the mountains I have my back to the city and enjoy the view of the back country. Clean air, mountains as far as the eye can see. The city is nice but now the skyline's all brown and it's frustrating seeing all the various smoke stacks billowing out smoke into the air. You really notice it trying to take a picture of the sunrise from the look out on Cypress you drive up to. The Lion's Gate bridge looks really nice lit up at night and Stanley park is awesome. It's just all the smoke stacks and the visible pollution that's irritating. I shudder at the thought of the coastline covered in black oil. They say BC has some of the nicest cold water diving in the world.

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