chipmunks are pretty common
Wow. I'm pooped. Today I woke with a 3 pill headache. Too many headaches these days, and I'm waking up earlier and earlier, which usually means I'm not sleeping properly, or I have too much on my mind. Helped move a family from the town into the country. It took a long time. It was fun, but I'm tired. And, while I'm complaining, I might as well mention that I have to plan a Sunday School lesson for 6 year olds tomorrow. And my car's been in the shop since Thursday morning, and they just started on it 10 minutes ago.
I'm this close to deleting that entire paragraph. How I hate complaining ... so why do I do it so much?
Good things are: the supper I made last night. Pretty much the best meal I have ever made, which, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't mean much. But it was good. Karina, if you're reading this, I used the canned shrimp. I "sauteed" it in olive oil, with yellow peppers, fresh mushrooms, green onions, brocolli, cauliflower, and coined carrots, plus fresh-squeezed lemon juice and garlic powder. I ate it on white rice. Probably the only thing I have ever made entirely from scratch that actually tasted good. The last stir-fry I tried ... all I can say is, the sesame snaps were a very bad idea. So that was a very good thing.
Another good thing is: I went on a beautiful hike on Monday. It's called Goat Lake, and, like most of the hikes I do, it's found in Waterton National Park. It was about 2 hours to the lake, and a little less back. The first hour was basically flatland walking, followed by nearly an hour of aggressive uphill and switchbacks back and forth across the side of a mountain, then 10 minutes through the trees along the creek until I came out at tiny, green, tree-ringed Goat Lake. And I even saw goats. They were at least 300 feet above me up the mountain, but I could still see them well, especially with my binoculars. There were ten of them, and at least three looked no more than a year old. It looked like they were freshly coated for winter, no quite white, but pure and creamy all the same. I just about cried when I saw them. I was so shocked to see them, and it was just what I needed. To me, that type of thing is a gift straight from God; to see a handful of His creation, quietly and deftly maneuvering their way up the mountain. It was one of those situations where you really don't want to leave. It was just me and the goats; no one else for miles. You don't get that very often, and I think I'll treasure it for a long time.
So lots of good things are happening out here. But I can't wait to get home. The last week or so has seemed kind of tough. Somehow I just feel so weak and tired; even condemned, like I'm not finishing well. And oh how I hate sin. I know it sounds like an excuse, but I'm finding self-discipline really difficult these days. Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling out stuff that not many people want or need to read about, so, Christ be with us all.
I finally have time to post a couple pictures from a hike I did about a month ago called the Carthew-Alderson Trail: 21km, 2 hours up, 4 hours down, lakes, trees, red shale, hundreds of butterflies, marmots, chipmunks, ice and snow, berries, and animal poo. Here's a handful of the shots I took that turned out alright. Usually I get 4 out of 24 that are worth showing a few people, so here they come ... I hope ....
I know chipmunks are pretty common, but he posed so nicely I couldn't resist. In the first picture you can see the trail as it descends from the top left corner, and then heads to the right across the slope, and down to Carthew Lake, just right of the large snowpatch. There's a small waterfall that flows under that snow patch. There's also a small cluster of trees below that snow patch. That's about where I jumped into the lake; twice, and quickly. I included the second picture because I did it with the timer and mini-tripod, and it all lined up so well. Plus, if there was a way I'd want to be remembered, that would be the way. Unfortunately you can't see the blood all over my shirt from when I slit my wrist open when I slipped in some sharp shale. That was cool; I had to do a pretty quick recovery to hide my fall from the people hiking in front of me.
A very good memory. But now it's time to figure out what I'm going to do for a Sunday School lesson tomorrow. At this point, coloring sounds really good. Sleep well.
I'm this close to deleting that entire paragraph. How I hate complaining ... so why do I do it so much?
Good things are: the supper I made last night. Pretty much the best meal I have ever made, which, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't mean much. But it was good. Karina, if you're reading this, I used the canned shrimp. I "sauteed" it in olive oil, with yellow peppers, fresh mushrooms, green onions, brocolli, cauliflower, and coined carrots, plus fresh-squeezed lemon juice and garlic powder. I ate it on white rice. Probably the only thing I have ever made entirely from scratch that actually tasted good. The last stir-fry I tried ... all I can say is, the sesame snaps were a very bad idea. So that was a very good thing.
Another good thing is: I went on a beautiful hike on Monday. It's called Goat Lake, and, like most of the hikes I do, it's found in Waterton National Park. It was about 2 hours to the lake, and a little less back. The first hour was basically flatland walking, followed by nearly an hour of aggressive uphill and switchbacks back and forth across the side of a mountain, then 10 minutes through the trees along the creek until I came out at tiny, green, tree-ringed Goat Lake. And I even saw goats. They were at least 300 feet above me up the mountain, but I could still see them well, especially with my binoculars. There were ten of them, and at least three looked no more than a year old. It looked like they were freshly coated for winter, no quite white, but pure and creamy all the same. I just about cried when I saw them. I was so shocked to see them, and it was just what I needed. To me, that type of thing is a gift straight from God; to see a handful of His creation, quietly and deftly maneuvering their way up the mountain. It was one of those situations where you really don't want to leave. It was just me and the goats; no one else for miles. You don't get that very often, and I think I'll treasure it for a long time.
So lots of good things are happening out here. But I can't wait to get home. The last week or so has seemed kind of tough. Somehow I just feel so weak and tired; even condemned, like I'm not finishing well. And oh how I hate sin. I know it sounds like an excuse, but I'm finding self-discipline really difficult these days. Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling out stuff that not many people want or need to read about, so, Christ be with us all.
I finally have time to post a couple pictures from a hike I did about a month ago called the Carthew-Alderson Trail: 21km, 2 hours up, 4 hours down, lakes, trees, red shale, hundreds of butterflies, marmots, chipmunks, ice and snow, berries, and animal poo. Here's a handful of the shots I took that turned out alright. Usually I get 4 out of 24 that are worth showing a few people, so here they come ... I hope ....
I know chipmunks are pretty common, but he posed so nicely I couldn't resist. In the first picture you can see the trail as it descends from the top left corner, and then heads to the right across the slope, and down to Carthew Lake, just right of the large snowpatch. There's a small waterfall that flows under that snow patch. There's also a small cluster of trees below that snow patch. That's about where I jumped into the lake; twice, and quickly. I included the second picture because I did it with the timer and mini-tripod, and it all lined up so well. Plus, if there was a way I'd want to be remembered, that would be the way. Unfortunately you can't see the blood all over my shirt from when I slit my wrist open when I slipped in some sharp shale. That was cool; I had to do a pretty quick recovery to hide my fall from the people hiking in front of me.
A very good memory. But now it's time to figure out what I'm going to do for a Sunday School lesson tomorrow. At this point, coloring sounds really good. Sleep well.
posted by Simon at 7:14 PM
8 Comments:
Those look like great places Simon. I'm jealous of you hiking all the time. I have places to hike too, but it seems like the time to do it eludes me. See you soon,
Great pictures Simon!
The last time I went hiking I fell into a pond and was soaked up to my waist...and for good measure, I ripped my khakis and the water turned them a brownish hue. You and Matt might remember that! haha
I think that was Mother Nature punishing me for wearing khakis on a hiking trip ;)
Lucky!
i do remember that. it was a good day. didn't we find a set of deer antlers? i may still have those...
I too remember that little excursion. I kept forgetting to go back ther during the summers I was alone and working in Sask. Now those days are no more. Remember when we attatched the fox scull to the Friesen's car's hood ornament?
brendan
definitely remember the skull ornament. i distinctly remember driving home in the dark that night on the highway, listening to something mellow like After Hours. We had all slipped into peaceful reverie when that skull let go in the wind, and came bumping up the hood, smacked into the windshield, and skimmed over the roof into the night. shocking, to say the least. those were great hikes, guys. and, Ev, i still feel bad about your pants.
good job with dwelling on good things too simon. i miss you but life sounds well out there.
I am jealous of your access to Waterton. I once slipped into a stream and went over a small waterfall there.
brendan
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