Mid-January Adventures

Having a quiet morning of Friday solitude reminiscing about all there is to keep me entertained while living up here. Feel like I’ve really come to know myself and my needs and have started to envision some long-term goals and dreams for the future because of my time spent in this quaint little town. Lots of time to think, little distraction. Have become a lot clearer about and able to articulate the things I need in my life to be truly happy, and that feels like a real accomplishment as I start to imagine the possibilities for 2013.

View of yet another cotton candy sunset from my front yard. The dim light of the General Store visible beneath the silhouette of Sloan and Green Mountains.

Was sick AGAIN this week, and in speaking to a couple of colleague friends I was reminded that this is often the plight of the teacher. Have probably lucked out living in isolation because there’s less exposure to outside germs, but the education of very young students certainly has a way of infiltrating my immune system with whatever snotty sicknesses they have.

I was in Lillooet last weekend to attend the Lillooet Naturalist Society’s AGM. As mentioned, they provide a stipend of financial support to participants on the Sustainable Living Leadership Program down the Fraser River, and it was a pleasure to speak to the group on behalf of the program and all that I have gotten out of it. Was great to learn of the projects and ongoing initiatives happening with the Naturalists. What an amazing group of people. From the installation of a wildlife camera that will record happenings in the osprey nest on the old bridge in Lillooet, to yearly checks of bird boxes and invitations to specialist biologists to give talks about local flora and fauna. This group of people is truly inspiring.

The drive out was beautiful as well. Pure sunshine illuminating the wiry tree branches by the side of the road encrusted with crystalline snow glinting in the light. A thick mist hung over the Bridge River reminding me of the fog that rolled into Little Gun Lake, which must be what encases the feathery branches and even individual pine needles in ice. Tried to take a picture of it, but the picture is so far from capturing the magic of the scene that I’m not even going to bother posting it.

An eagle perched in a tree beside the highway. A common sight at this time of year when salmon are spawning in the Bridge River.

Looking down the valley where the Yalakom River meets the Bridge River along highway 40. Drive home on Sunday was not as sunny, but still beautiful.

Started to feel a cold coming on, so made the very responsible decision to come home on Sunday instead of heading out on a ski tour, even though the conditions would have been AMAZING! Stopped by my friend’s farm on the way home for a cup of tea, a slice of homemade pumpkin pie, and intellectual banter. Lots of people have come into my life in the past few years who think along similar lines, lots of exciting projects happening, lots of ways to be involved in the bustling community that lives along this corridor. It’s great to feel connected, and in many ways I don’t really feel like I live in isolation because I have so many people to visit with when I pass through.

The white patch is the town of Gold Bridge as seen from a couple kilometres out along highway 40. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I actually live in a place of this size!

Writing has taken a bit of a back seat to planning and thinking about school. I’m okay with that. I tend to work in phases anyway, and am learning to accept this as part of my process. I plan to get back at it next week, feeling renewed and full of fresh ideas, although I still do write a little every morning and evening, just to keep my muse in shape.

Sanford taking a rest while I take some pictures. 

Posing for a self-portrait while snowshoeing on one of our usual walks.

I’m heading out to pick up a friend in Whistler who I met and spent a bunch of time with while in Tofino. Always great to meet people who can keep up to my intense intellectual and physical pace, and who are also willing to put themselves out there to explore a place like Gold Bridge. And for the rest of you, the invitation to come and visit is perpetually open, wherever in the world I should be!

Fun with ice! Next week students and I will head out armed with cameras to take some pictures of different kinds of snow, and I wanted to do a little demo to teach them about macro photography and get them excited about the possibilities. Upper layer of local snow is currently covered in what is known as surface hoar. Students have recently been learning about snow science and about all the different types of snow and what conditions contribute to making certain kinds of snow. Pretty relevant knowledge to have when the ground is covered in the white stuff for a possible seven months of the year!

I plan to take him out skating and cross-country skiing, among some outings with Sanford. There was an inversion yesterday, and up in Bralorne it was plus 10 degrees, meaning that the snow conditions are less than ideal for ski touring. Never mind though, as a wonderful ski track has been set on Little Gun Lake, and Big Gun Lake has recently frozen over to a sheet of completely clear glass—something that should certainly be experienced while the sunny weather is with us. It’s still below zero here in town, but how strange to look upon the snowless trees high up in the mountain while the trees in town are still wearing a thick jacket of white.

Ready to ski on Thrill Thursday this week! Getting some tips from a local cross-country expert and gearing up to ski around Little Gun Lake. I had never been on a set track before, and have to say that it is AMAZING! Students loved it and would have stayed out longer if we didn't have to get back for dismissal. Life is good!

Hope this post inspires you to get outside on your own little adventure, wherever in the world you find yourself. As always, thanks for reading!