Went “riverwalking” on the Puntledge today. Area near town called Stokem Falls where you can walk on the smooth rocks of the river. The water just trickles down wide expanses, like a miniature floodplain. Nothing like a river I’ve ever seen. Really unique. In spots, there are deep pools, holes naturally bored into the soft shale of varying sizes when the river runs high and strong in the winter and spring; from little ones that can catch a leg to some the size of a big deep bathtub. Amazing. There are also larger pools under the falls, some that invite jumping…
Was taken around by a local guide, Kerry (in above picture behind me), another charming and friendly guy Irina knows. He’s a fit little fellow, a true “native” of BC, and I stuggle to keep up with him as we wade through currents, slip over rocks, and generally try and avoid spills and broken bones. Have only been out west here on the island for less than a day and already the cold mountain water, the sun and the clean air are making me feel like a new man. I imagine how much fun it would be to explore every little nook and cranny of a river like this. It reminds me of an old haunt, the falls near Montgomery Center in Northern Vermont, where I used to go as a teenager. But it’s bigger and better.
Later in the afternoon we go back to Irina and Brent’s place for a big BBQ — lots of booze (the local Vancouver Island beer — Lucky Lager — and some Bombay Sapphire and tonic for the civilized touch), smoke and food. Badminton on the back lawn and another endless evening. Tomorrow we are going to Hornby Island — even the locals find this a little exotic, so I’m really psyched. Another exhilarating day.
July 21, 2006 at 7:22 pm |
Yeah, clearly you’ve never read LM Montgomery b/c in all of her stories there is at least one bookish easterner who goes out west. One even went out West to Escape the shame and derision he experienced at McGill. Though, I did get this taxi driver in Montreal once who had a Ph.D. in history.
December 8, 2009 at 12:22 am |
You know, re-reading this randomly I suddenly thought how I should finally get around to reading some of Lucy M. Montgomery’s stuff about these western transmigrations…Any suggested titles?