Ramblings of Pleasures, Imaginations and the Small Things - August 8th, 2009

Deciding that I needed a small dose of the simple pleasures, I grabbed my camera and journal, jumped into the car and to head west to Big Springs Provincial Park (about 30km west of Airdrie.) With visions of an easy and scenic car drive I put on Ministry of Sound: Chilled II 1991-2009 (ambient/electronic/chill out style) and started driving. The trees a medley of luscious greens, like a garden salad, full of greens as deep as cucumbers, celery and fresh lettuces; butter, romaine. I was beginning to see how wonderful an evening of small things could truly be.

Anyone who knows me quite well knows that I take a lot of detours. Not purposeful or planned detours, oh no, purely accidental, internal GPS glitch type detours. Well this trip was no different! I of course could have sworn that there was a smaller type park between Airdrie and Symon Valley Road so once I passed Symon Valley I, in typical me fashion, begin to doubt that I am going the right way. So I of course find a road to turn around and then begin to drive back towards Airdrie, I then of course get close to where I started! Emitting a large sigh of exasperation (anyone who has driven with me enough knows the one) I turn around again and begin my drive west. 15mins later I then see the fabled blue provincial park signs, which reads 2KM left. I of course miss my turn because the turn was in about 1KM and the park was another 1KM down the road, equaling you got it, 2KM. I blame the GPS lady and her know it all voice. (Yes I admit the addiction!) I eventually arrive at the park 45mins after my departure, (a normal 15-20min drive) grab my camera and head into the park for a hike.

LET ME TELL YOU, the drama, a nagging GPS lady and the detours were all worth it!! I walked through the forest coming first upon a small waterfall and then rising directly behind it, a wall of majestic trees and vegetation. Randomly scattered across the park, flowers are peaking up their heads to get a glimpse of the sun . Blues, yellows, whites. Mushrooms growing so perfectly, their gills perfectly shaped, one of nature`s art pieces. I come to a large shark shaped rock, large and gray looming above my head. I imagine a Great White swimming down the greens of the forest, coming to rest at the perfect spot, just past the Great Wall of China meets the Lion King-esque `Elephant Graveyard` (where Simba almost gets eaten by Hyena`s,) no lie, I had to walk down this wall of skulls, er rocks ... to this little creek to get to the aforementioned shark. Gathering all my mettle in this little game of adventure I am playing in my head, I head up the path, climb up the rocks and sit right on top of JAW`s head.



It was here I contemplated all the little things, the game I played like I was a child again, hiking up to my fantastic sitting spot, the beautiful and I mean beautiful scenery, the friendly smiles along the hiking trail, and even the little kids running full out in their glorious innocence. Playing all sorts of imaginary games as they chased each other up and down the paths. The animals scurrying about, the birds watching me from up in their branches trying to set the camera timer, dart across the way, pose and hope I don`t blink and have to do it again game. I can only imagine what their thoughts.

Raven: Squawk squawk squeek! (Translation: Hey see that girl over there? She is bloody bonkers - I imagine the raven with an English accent, just FYI.)

Crow: Caw caw caaaaw! (Translation: Blimey, she`s def`nitely arsing around, bit of o` eejit that one. - I imagine the crow with an Irish accent just so ya know.)



It all made me feel quite wonderful to be honest, free somehow of all the dirt you pick up as an adult, the stresses, the worry, the anxiety. To let out a big breath, and let the weight of world fall off the shoulders, and remember, this is it. These are the days that make it all worthwhile. The freedom of being able to get in my car anytime I wish, drive to a natural beauty and just breath!

- Lil One