By Maryanna Gabriel
I have been driving. One of my most favourite places is the lower part of
British Columbia, a real touchstone for me for it is an absolutely beautiful
route. As I come to the Hope Slide I read that in January 1965, a minor
earthquake brought down 4.6 million cubic meters of mountain, killing some folks
on the highway. I am aware that the Hope Princeton area receives fairly continuous
minor earth quakes as one of my obsessions is watching the earthquake reports. Munching
on a sandwich, I stare at the miles of broken rock, contemplating the vagaries
and precariousness of life. I think of Nepal and the recent severe quakes there
and wonder at the seemingly solid earth between my feet. I continue and drive through
residual snow in Manning Park and then my senses are blasted by the absolute
heat of the interior plateau. I fool with the knobs of my car thinking there
is something wrong until I get out and experience the gaspingly high temperatures. The
road curves through charming valleys past barns like old skeletons through
historic Hedley, the Kettle Valley and onto Greenwood which seems to me a town much
like a living museum populated by historic buildings. Artifacts of the last two
centuries abound as the entire area was mined for gold, silver, nickel, copper,
and other minerals. I feel a deep quiver in my soul as a tall female moose
steps out in front of me. I hold my breath and pray an oncoming car is not in
the immediate future as she ambles across the highway, her long legs and
impossible camel-like appearance bringing tears to my eyes. I let out a sigh of
relief as she reaches the other side. I feel grateful for the wonder of seeing
her.