My Book Report

Have you heard of Ted Jaleta? I hadn't until my friend D Mo told me about him after attending a speaking engagement put on by her employer. She loaned me her autographed copy of his book "Never Give Up". Ted Jaleta is a runner and this book is about him Running For His Life from an Ethiopian prison where he was tortured and beaten. He shares with us where his hope, determination and wisdom got him to in life.

In his book he writes about running races in Banff in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. These race routes stood out because they reminded him of his homeland, of when he was a child and would run through the hills with his brothers and sisters. At one race in particular, he drifted back for pretty much the whole race and near the end came out of his dream state. This is my favourite part of his whole book and these are his words. "And I was running here, on top of the world, and winning the race. It was just incredible. I was full of mixed emotions."

It's hard for me to imagine anyone having to experience what he had. He has come so far and now that he has reached his dreams he is inspiring others to reach theirs.

Sunset Celebration

Today's adventure or I mean tonight's sunset celebration seemed surreal! Our plan was to see the sun set on a summer Sunday in September on top of Nihahi Ridge. Being prepared for this meant being decked out from head to toe which included long pants, four layers on top, gloves, toque and head lamp. Being prepared for this also meant being mentally and physically in fine form from head to toe. I was decked out and physically there! Mentally? Well, not quite! Our hike started at 3:30 pm with a flat, longish, walk through the campground on our way to the trail head. We encountered a gradual climb on a nice, forested, groomed trail for the first couple of kilometers then the forest opened up to views and an array of trail types. Although I have been over stuff like this and that in the past, this evening my mental game wasn't turned on.

With a vote of confidence from my buddies and a tad of babysitting, I pushed onwards and upwards. I didn't quite reach the sky but my buddies did. I was able to find my happy place for today and this is it! Yes, I was able to find a happy place even though this place was making my hair stand on end.

Tonight was a celebration in honor of Adventure Designer's (we made it all about her) day. Each buddy played a part in aligning the stars for something surreal and special and memorable. Before our night time feast, I needed a few minutes to get to an even happier place. With wicked winds out in the open, we turned into the woods to a perfect sized opening surrounded by trees providing us shelter. The ground top table was set, the celebration sign hung between two trees and one fellow slipped into something very appropriate for the occasion, his crisp white collared dress shirt sporting a black vest over top. Dashing I must say!

The original plan was to see the sun set but with the cloud cover we instead viewed a magnificent moon rise. Along the trail back, the sky cleared and oh boy we could see how the stars were aligned. Our head lamps showed us the way and showed us reflective clothing certainly does reflect and glow in the dark.

Around 9:30 pm, we made it back to the flat roadway that passed through the campground. Our destination now was to the car for the drive back to Calgary. Being the long Labor Day weekend the campground was full of families having camp fires in the forest. They were already at their destination.

I made it home shortly after 11:00 pm feeling oh so very tired and oh so very happy! I love nights like these being with people who mean something in my life, experiencing a unique adventure so much so that I feel like I'm "on top of the world" even if I did reach for the sky but didn't quite make it there!

If I Could Fly!

What better place to try then on a hiking adventure called "Birdwood Traverse"! High on the mountain pass, "Scrambled Legs" and I try to soar like the eagles! We were high off the ground for mere seconds, but high in the mountains for nearly ten hours. It all started with a creek crossing! I came prepared this time wearing my brand new lowriders which meant no slipping on rocks and no cold, numb feet. Even though the water came just below my knees, I could still feel its fast flowing force.

There are the usual things you see on a mountain hike! Usual, yes! Unusual, yes! In their own way! This waterfall that looks like twins, makes up in width what it lacks in length. When I look at this mountain face and part way down the front, it makes me think of a lava flow. We were very fortunate on route to our trail head to see this majestic moose up close and almost personal. Of all the lakes I have seen this summer, I don't think there have been two the same color.

I like to have my own kind of fun along the trails!! We came along this snow canopy. When I stretched, I could reach it. As I stood there, I felt the melting snow drip down on me (refreshing) and I saw a view of a mountain range in front of me framed by the edge of the snow canopy (freeze frame). "If I Could Fly!" I try and I try! If you have long legs and are limber, you can stand in Banff National Park and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park at the same time, just like me.

Just as our hike moves along slowly but surely, so does summer! You can see the golden color in the meadow and the early afternoon shadows on the mountains.

From the crimson and gold covering the rocky and rough mountain passes, to...

...mountains that seemed to have a golden color to themselves too!

A sure telltale sign though, that summer is moving on, is snow high up on the far away mountain ranges.

Today was a long, large, light-hearted one! At our lunch stop we had a birthday celebration and it even included "Adventure Designer" blowing out candles on top of a chocolate cake. As you can tell from some of the above photos, there was lots of time to let the child within make an appearance. "Ms D No Stopping Me" even flew her kolorful kite.

Today was a traverse along three mountain passes Smuts Pass, Birdwood Pass and Burstall Pass. On past hikes, I had one opportunity to feel "on top of the world" today was three times the charm!

Not Quite Invincible!

Lucky me, along with six great guys, got to prove that Invincible Lake is not unconquerable at all! I could see where it may be for some, but we were filled with determination and fortitude today and that is exactly what it took!

What was forecast to be a 14km trip with an elevation gain of 635 meters was off the mark! When all was said and done, we covered 16.6km with a total elevation gain of 965 meters. We learned the lesson why it is so important to go prepared for no matter what by bringing enough water, sunscreen, bandaids and Vitamin I. A few of us experienced levels of heat exhaustion, some felt dehydrated, others needed bandaids, Gatorade and salt.

This is our destination! The lake in the distance which we were joyous to see because at this point we had already done considerable elevation and had been on the trail for three and a half hours on wide open spaces in blistering sunshine. Getting to this point was quite the journey as you can see from the montage below!

I'm at the top of the steep, fire ridden slope where we took a break before continuing on with our ascent. We climbed to our highest point then it was time to descend into the valley down a steep screen slope where we were afforded the opportunity to run and slide making it a very quick trip to the bottom. I am becoming quite comfortable on the downhill screen slopes but still need assistance with steep narrow traverses.

How glorious is this! We were not defeated! We conquered! We overcame! We descended upon our destination the not quite invincible, Invincible Lake!

The Lake is nearby Mount Invincible which had a distinct look to it. It, along with two other mountains in the vacinity, Mount Warspite and Mount Indefatigable are all named after battle ships. The lake was inviting with most of us cooling off our legs in it and one brave fellow took a total dip.

This was a very rewarding day! As one of my buddies stated, he felt pleasantly depleted! That described my feeling exactly. We only saw two other folks the whole day and they were at the back side of the lake fishing. It's not a well known trail nor one that is frequented. It was an accomplishment to reach a place where so many others would dare not to go.

A RECORD 78.8 KM

That's the distance I covered bike riding today! It's a record for me! Oh, am I feeling it now!

I followed the Trans Canada Trail from north to south! The Deane House looks pretty with matching flowers in front! I took a few breaks along the way and here I could see the city off in the distance! So happy to leave it in the distance!

The Bow River is a famous fishing grounds. Here are two fly fishermen whipping their lines in and out of the water as they row along.

The route goes through Carburn Park and the reflection in the water caught my eye. Reflections are catching my eye lots lately!

I finally arrived at Fish Creek Provincial Park. The Ranche is a great place to dine. I've been three times. Today, though, I packed my own lunch.

This looks like a nice place to enjoy my wrap, pretzels and apple.

Yum! I worked up an appetite! I devoured my lunch sitting in the shade! What a hot day!

It was just another couple of kilometers further to Sikome Lake. I wasn't allowed to take my bike onto the beach area.

Nature is nice! Other than reflections, this caught my eye too!

As did the cloud formations!

Time was getting on, and I better be getting on. To home that is! You know the city is big when there are traffic circles on the bike path.

One last rest stop! Time for a snack, a chance to catch my breath and to enjoy the view!

Six hours and seven minutes after leaving my front door, I arrive back at it! I have never been so thankful to see it! What a great way to spend a Friday! Now to get ready for tomorrow! The plan is for only 14km, this time on foot looking for Invincible Lake! We will see how invincible it is! Stay tuned!

Hike a Hill

Even hiking Cox Hill, I could still achieve that "on top of the world" feeling! After two challenging hikes last weekend, I was due for a walk in the park. I wanted a hill today, not a mountain, so we settled on Cox Hill which is pretty much out our front door. The day was not without obstacles. First one was this! We waited, put the car in park, burped the horn a couple of times, waited, they were doing their own walk in the park. We waited while they continued to stream out of the woods.

Five minutes into our hike, we were presented with our second obstacle. No bridge to cross the wide, full, (soon to find out freezing) fast-flowing creek. After casing the joint, we concluded we needed to do the bare foot thing and just go for it, which we did. The return trip was a different story!

You can see we were quite indecisive on how to cross the creek!

We made the continuous climb through the winding, narrow, tree lined trail where no views were afforded. At about the 5 km distance, we sensed an opening ahead and this is where we stopped to dine and drink before we dash off again. Scape Goat was today's pale ale choice. After a toast, we filled up on fuel, took some photos then carried on.

We made it to the top of Cox Hill! We couldn't see Calgary in the distance but we could plainly see Mt Yumnuska, Moose Mountain, Prairie Mountain and Jumpingpound Mountain. We spent some time on the ridge following towards the Jumpingpound Ridge. What amazing scenery! We watched a biker make his way up the hill side towards us. I asked was he on his own! He said his buddies were over there and pointed way off in the distance. I couldn't see them! We chatted, got him to take our photo, chatted more. I asked again where are your buddies? He pointed way off in the distance! I said, you must have had your Wheaties this morning, you have a long wait for them. I still couldn't see them. He said he was use to it. I said, you've done this before. He replied he was on the Canadian cycling team for 7 years! I didn't ask his name but I wish I did.

I think another time I want to get back to this place and carry on further along the Jumpingpound Ridge Trail. It's such a beautiful ridge! It may not happen this year, one can sense that fall is soon upon us. There has been a change in color of grass and trees and bushes and weeds. Berries were in abundance! That's an end of summer thing as is when the bees are feasting.

On the return trip, we looked for another option for the creek crossing and picked a place further down where it looked narrower and shallower. We wanted to avoid having to remove our socks and boots this time and feeling too lazy to anyway. Mistake! I led! R followed! I slipped! R slipped! To just below our knees! Good thing we were only 5 minutes from the trail head. I twisted the water out of my socks and shoes and insoles. I could have measured two cups worth of creek!

When I downloaded our track onto Google Earth, I was shocked and saddened at what I saw! All the light green square patches. I zoomed out further and it just got worse, all the clear cutting. Why? Is it due to the beetle infestation?

Today was just what the doctor ordered! I feel so fortunate to be able to experience such fun and amazing scenery so close to home!