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Sunday, August 23, 2009

Summer in the Rockies.

I never thought I would miss the Calgary Summers, and to tell you the truth, I still don't.  What I do miss are the beautiful and majestic mountains that oversee us, bringing us their magnificence in a way that is completely understated and yet strangely powerful.

Escaping to them brings a sense of calm, and a sense of fulfillment, allowing oneself to enjoy the quiet peacefulness that being away from the city brings.  Mind you if you never stray far from the highway, and are only on a hair brained trip to the next big city centre, you will probably find that these are just large obstacles that would be so much nicer if they weren't in your way.  But take a step off the beaten path, and you will discover all that they offer.

From Canmore, in it's little town feel, sitting just over an hour from Calgary, and outside the National Park, with it's amazing pubs like the Rose and Crown, and quaint outdoor art galleries on the weekends, to Banff, with it's tourist pull and large 'Chinaman's Peak' overseeing it.  (This peak has been a PC nightmare, and has been re-named, but for those localites that live and breathe the air here, it will forever be known as just this.  Nothing else.)  Banff has been slightly overrun by the chains, but still maintains it's small town charm with places like the rock and gem store and the candy store which is a must do whenever in town.

Following the road further out, we get into the heart of the rockies.  From Jasper and Lake Louise, to further reaching places just over the border.  Far enough away to be a holiday, but close enough that you don't need all month to enjoy.  

I know that my travels will be taking me further into the rockies before the snow starts to fly, and brings me back to the city reality, but let's pray for an indian summer, and miles of open road in front of us.
I have never felt my feet firmly planted on the ground.  When I was a child, I would dream of far away places filled with jumping kangaroos and gladiators.  I took my first trip when I was 19, running away from my issues and neglecting to deal with skeletons in my closet.  

Since then I have returned to my first home, and have found that while it has a special place in my heart, it is no longer home.

So I roam the planet, looking for a place for me to plant my feet, and find a home.  Will I find it in this life time?  I'll never know until I find it.  But I will continue looking for it, until my last breath.

These are my journeys.