Kaslo - Long Beach – Nelson, B.C. June 3-5, 1978

Slocan to Kootenay Lake 
the road following the creek
I let it carry me along 

another branch or twig enjoying a free ride 

smiling, and glad glad glad to be here

feeling so very alive

blossoming out like the lupins, the thimbleberries

the yellow yellow daisies

the known and unknown roadside beauties 

that greet me on my way





the valley celebrates its fecundity and life 

in every little bud, leaf, flower, tree

in every shade of green and brown and grey and yellow

but mostly green, so richly truly deeply green
































a family of deer browsing by the road

near the creek where the grass is most green most tender

I stop to watch them; they stop to watch me watch

'hello there dear deer' 

they make a slow retreat

picking their way carefully, daintily up the cliffside 

a graceful little family of deer


the road changes from paving to rough dirt

and I the only traveler

somewhere between New Denver and Kaslo 


turn

an old abandoned mine

derelict buildings magnificent in their timelessness

grey weathered boards telling stories of past lives

the miners and their families who lived here

I do not know how long ago…


turn

a distant snow-capped mountain

glinting in the deep blue sky

























turn

leafy deciduous trees and bushes lining the road

soft greens here beside the stream so white and gay 

happy to be flowing through such a beautiful place 


I am as happy this singing stream 

so I am singing too

down the hill to Kaslo-on-the-Lake

a sleepy town alongside a still still lake

ringed by mountains stiller still



























I stop and sit awhile on the beach, in the sun

a quiet moment to enjoy the splendour of it all and then … 

'hello, who are you?'

Bob and Woodland, a father and son

we strike up the kind of instant connection-conversation that travelers do 

first sharing stories then sleeping bags 

lying on a picnic table under the shooting stars

so many stars so far away

inviting explorations of infinity – and insignificance

what time is this place?

where are we in this universe?

are we alone?

the big dipper pours water on our heads

no, wait, it’s Woodland!

go to sleep you silly boy, go to sleep


next day we visit the ashram together

lose track of time - and Woodland - as we

explore the place, and one another

where are you Woodland?

oh! under that mushroom cap! 

crying 'I can't walk!'

‘well then run! skip! hop! jump!’

we skip, hop and jump together 





 









 












we re-energize with fruit smoothies at the Last Chance Cafe 

and head back down to the beach

where we find such beautiful rocks 

orange red green yellow marbled shining happy rocks

I fill my zippered pocket with their many-coloured gaiety

safely collecting rocks and memories


a late afternoon paddle 

in a borrowed canoe 

gold mirrored reflections on the lake

the Kootenay Riviera 

ah...


a shared dinner over a quiet campfire

then a dark and quiet paddle 

moving stealthily 

on a still still lake under a starry starry sky 

lost on the endless blackness of the lake

not caring to be found

not wishing to be found

how long can you make one moment last?




Location: Kaslo, BC, Canada

Comments

  1. Della BurfordMay 3, 2021 at 2:54 PM

    A lot of memories come up of this beautiful area. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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