…and then another, and another. What a world we’ve made for ourselves.
What a week! Our little roadtrip to Jasper seems way back in the rear view mirror. Seeking shelter from the vitriol, looking for a quiet space away from shouting the loudest to make a point, or repeating lies to establish legitimacy, a speedy Jasper run seemed a great idea. Tune out? Turn down the volume? Take a self imposed time out? Yes please! 
Steady driving on near empty roads through breathtaking scenery, with sunshine and snow, rivers and lakes, and mountains and valleys helped to restore a sense of balance with each passing kilometre. We appreciated it then, and, with hindsight, appreciate it even more now…
Was it so very quiet, though? To be fair, when we took a short hike around Lac Beauvert, the honking of hundreds of geese could hardly be described as quiet – far from it – but it was soothing to see and hear something real rather than fabricated. It made sense. So did the industry and purpose we saw from a dipper busily splashing and feeding along the banks of a small stream. The beating and rushing of wings as geese flew in organized Vs straight over our heads was a wonderful sound.
The roar of the wind blasting in our faces straight off a glacier at 8,000 feet was quite the noise. Elemental, in your face, but in a good way. Not quiet, but this was noise free from nastiness and negativity.
We had space to think, room to breathe, and the chance to tune into a different set of sounds. Sounds that heal, promote calm, and encourage a positive mindset. Perhaps we’ll need quite a bit of this in the coming weeks…
Might I suggest you get outside this weekend? Turn off the intrusive soundtrack of recent days? Hug a tree, jump a stream, climb a hill, skim some stones, hike in the woods? Remember, there is a reality beyond our political constructs – this reality needs our help – and it sustains our conceited constructs. Go on, go out there, appreciate what we’ve got and hope we still have it in the years to come.
When you get home, smile and wave at your neighbors, even if you’re not too sure about their ballot box leanings. Take a very deep breath, then another and another. What a world we’ve made for ourselves. Here’s hoping we’ll figure out how to make it better.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a peaceful Remembrance Day and weekend.
OldPlaidCamper 
Yesterday I went for a hike in the woods at 6500 feet and loved every moment of it, except for the struggle with the painting. I agree, get out and shake off the world, see some nature and hug a tree. Perhaps I have it too easy but I couldn’t imagine being stuck in the maze of a city with all the strife and talk and anger. Get out there and get a taste of nature and it will be Great! lol 😉 wonderful post and your photos are gorgeous.
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Thanks, Margaret! Can’t think of much else except get out and change the perspective and soundtrack, if only for a little while. I hope your weekend is going well, and you’re finding yourself more rested and recharged. Take care!
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think I’ll go out to the cabin next weather window………..which ain’t today! A cargo ship lost 27 containers off the coast.One of them has come ashore on the western beach of Vargas. Lots of rain & wind over here!
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I hope you get that weather window soon, Wayne! You must be due a break from the series of wet fronts rolling in. Take care out there!
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Your photos tells a story of an amazing place. There’s lots of snow on the mountain tops around me now, but I haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet 🙂
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Thanks, Maria! Hope your weekend is going well, and maybe you’ll get up to the snow line soon? Great opportunity for some amazing photos?! Enjoy your day!
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Have a wonderful weekend!
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Deep breaths, even breaths, try it again, and there– I’m with you. With all those beautiful photos and wise advice… PC, I’ve got to say it, as much as I still love my country and the best of its ideals, I’m totally ashamed (still in shock actually but getting into peaceful protest mode) of what has recently transpired in this place, and what it means for all who stand for decency and beauty in the world. Sorry, man, but rest assured, we who care will start the job anew.
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Hi Walt – I can’t begin to imagine how decent-minded and thoughtful American citizens must be feeling right now – it is appalling enough at a semi-removed distance. I’ve woken up after disappointing elections results (Thatcher, Major, Harper) but never felt they won as a result of campaigning so explicitly and intentionally using hatred to collect votes. The world doesn’t feel any safer or kinder just now…
I guess the work is to get past this, remember there are many who didn’t choose this path, and to keep expressing positive ideas and policies in the hope that down the road, people will come to their senses. In the meantime, it’s going to be a rough ride…
Aside from all this, I hope you managed to get out and enjoy your rivertops this weekend.
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Wonderful post and beautiful photos! Maybe with those fabulous mountains and Justin Trudeau for a leader one may be in the mood to wave at neighbors, but others might be hiding in the movie theater watching Doctor Strange (the visual effects were amazing) and losing themselves in the new Jack Reacher book to avoid turning on the news or thinking. Enjoy your weekend!
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I think we’ll be watching Dr. Strange later today – escape for a little while! A new Jack Reacher? That’ll be on the list for cabin reading next time out there!
I hope your weekend is going well even though recent events are casting a long shadow – take care!
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about the shouting the loudest to make a point-I agree. I have been lying around too much, hearing a lot of negativity and am going to go for a walk. And breathe. Peace be with you.
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I hope your walk was peaceful and restorative! Yup, too much negativity, but we can choose how to respond to events, even if we can’t change them – and getting out and finding some quiet is a good place to start! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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I am still in shock and find the result hard to accept and understand. Hopefully next weekend we’ll be able to get out and to the mountains.
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I hope you can get out and find some space! As for the election, it appears that a message of misogyny, xenophobia, Islamophobia and other vile notions is ok and worth supporting for a disturbingly large number of voters. Impossible to reconcile regardless of the context…
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Hello Plaid Camper -‘thanks for the post and photos.
We are lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. We can experience enjoyment, peace and beauty in so many ways.
Enjoy the super moon!
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Hello Pandora – thanks for your visit, and I hope you get to see and enjoy the super moon too! It was huge as it set this morning, so hopefully it’ll be clear again early tomorrow morning…
Have a good week!
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I absolutely love your words and sentiments here and agree with you wholeheartedly. There’s something so real about nature that just gets us back in touch with what really matters. And of course your photos are stunning as usual. Thanks for helping me breath easier tonight.
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Thanks, Miriam! A different reality check in the form of the natural world helps keep things in perspective – even when the truly awful happens…
Hope your week is going well!
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So very true my mountain friend and so very important to have that reality check with what matters. Today’s a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne, the grey clouds have finally shifted. Hope you’re well.
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Wonderful and encouraging, pc. There’s nothing like the fresh air and vastness of nature to loosen us up and open our eyes. And I, too, find infinite joy in watching a dipper. Your photos are incredible.
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Glad you enjoyed this one – the scenery all around Jasper is spectacular, and it’s a great place to restore equilibrium. As for dippers, there is so much to admire in their industry and tenacity – simply wonderful!
Have a great week ahead!
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The ducks in the shots are gorgeous
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Thank you for reading – I appreciate it!
Enjoy your day!
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