Miles and Milestones
After a hearty campout next to gorgeous waterfalls nestled in the mountains, Karuna Sindhu and I emerged from our tent at 3 AM. In the second tent and automobile slept Michael and Daruka who both deserved the extra mileage of slumber. In the pitch black of the evening, Karuna and I made our way along on what in broad daylight is viewed as a pure emerald lake. We then crossed a creek that feeds that magical lake. Only our mini flashlight guided us through a mountain trail and to Crowsnest Pass going westward.
The stars were multiple sparkles in the sky, and trees discharged their special perfumes as the sun started peeking.
We then hit a milestone – the Alberta/British Columbia border. That’s 9 down and 1 to go, provincially. It became a moment of victory I shared with Karuna.
At one point, I ventured on foot alone while Karuna joined Daruka in order to take to camping kitchen duties. I came to a town called Sparwood, and entered the tourist visitors’ centre. While there I was informed that Clara Hughes, Canadian Olympic winner for speed cycling and speed skating, had been in the facility earlier that day. This unique athlete, I realized, I met on the road two days earlier. She was accompanied by two other cyclists near Lundbreck and was having a break when I appeared on the prairie shoulder of the road. Positioned to reconvene their riding, she saw me, and raised her arm for a high five, and then shouted aloud, “Hey!” She was all smiles, I didn’t know who she was at the time, but when Michael showed me her picture via the iPhone, sure enough, that was her. It was another milestone. I do hope she succeeds in her dreams.
May the Source be with you!
37 KM
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