Coquihalla trip: A cause for reflection
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Updated: November 04, 2009 2:55 PM
By Charlie Hodge
Contributor
I had cause to traverse the infamous Coquihalla last week and was reminded, once again, what a tremendous feat it was to build that roadway and what an absolutely amazing province we live in.
Admittedly, on my journey to the big smoke (Vancouver) I was more preoccupied with the concern of simply getting to my destination than enjoying the journey.
Concerns of car failure, lousy weather, and tasks left uncompleted prior to my departure filled my bachelor-suite sized brain.
However, the return trip following a successful and thought provoking conference allowed for a more laid back attitude and tuned in trip.
Relatively decent road conditions added to the experience.
As I ventured home I was constantly conscious of the plethora of geological joys in our province, the diverse landscape and teeming, endless array of flora and fauna.
I found the fall colours spotlighted by occasional bursts of sun through the clouds highlighted the vast farm lands of the Fraser Valley, then magnified the towering, tumultuous entrance into the Cascade Mountains near Hope.
A little later I marvelled at the awe inspiring stark yet beautiful cattle grazing lands near Merritt.
Soon after the attractive, tranquil lake area near Aspen Grove grabbed my attention again just prior to the climb back into the fog shrouded mountains and then the dramatic drop into the Okanagan Valley.
There is always something comforting and healing about the first sight of Okanagan Lake as I trundled back down into the homeland.
I was fascinated by the fall colours and scenic bragging of Mother Nature the entire journey and it reminded me of just how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful, breath-taking part of this fine country. We are truly blessed here.
As an aside, the trek there and back was dramatically enhanced by the large collection of superb CD’s in my car all of which were produced by Okanagan musicians.
I listen to nothing else in the car than local music and never run out of great tunes to hear.
On the trip there, I listened to CDs by Ten2Nine, Deb Stone, The Cruzeros, and Corey Doak.
On the return trip the line-up included Kyle Tubbs, Jane Eamon, The Sleddogs, Day Late and a Dollar Short, and Olga Osipova.
Not only is B.C.’s physical scenery amazing but audible musical talent is world class and pretty darn awesome as well.
Indeed much of the fun of achieving the destination is the journey.
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