Bald Range Blues: Monday, September 21st!

Invention requires an excited mind; execution, a calm one. -Johann Peter Eckermann, poet (21 Sep 1792-1854) 

Having been unable to make last Thursday's hike, I was delighted to have my boots back on for the ramble to the Bald Range. Met Pam at Home Hardware and we were just about to leave for Summerland, in her car, when Colleen drove up. We waited for her to park and then she jumped in and we sped off. Reasonably large group waiting for us at the IGA parking lot so after greeting one another we clambered back in to our respective vehicles and headed out to the Princeton Summerland Road. 

Drove along it for a few kilometres until we reached a spot where there was enough room on the shoulder to park. Once everyone had arrived we set off, following a narrow dirt road at the very outset. Shortly thereafter, we took off, cross-country, creatively blundering our way to the top of a series of lovely hills. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable hikes as the footing was easy and the grades, though some of them very steep, were not overly long or exhausting. The day was gloriously sunny and the vistas of the surrounding countryside simply lovely. 

We stopped for a short lunch break at around 11:30 pm and then headed back down, roughly following the route we had taken on the ascent. Again, the going was pleasantly easy and allowed us to chat with one another for extended periods, getting to know each other a little better. Back a the cars by 12:30 pm, or thereabouts, and we agreed to meet at Good Omens, a coffee shop in Summerland, a favourite spot for this particular group. Pam "Sterling Mossed" us back to civilization and Colleen and I had to hold on for dear life around many of the sharp curves! Once there the twelve of us sat, outside, around a couple of large picnic tables and we visited, most amicably, for an hour or so before saying goodbye to one another. Great, great group and I feel extremely fortunate to have connected with them. Stats for hike:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/906072715#.VgCBth__SiI.email

Hello Monday Hikers, et al! Here are some snapolas of the de-loverly hike. Cheers, Paparazzo Patrizzio!
 
As we were walking to an All Candidates Meeting last night, at the Lakeshore Hotel/Casino, we wondered how Madcap's Irish Night went. Pic: Raccoon we encountered on the way home, along Penticton Creek, after meeting.

Glorious hike yesterday and tonight we will welcome the Autumnal Equinox. 
  
Happy Autumnal Equinox, everybody, particularly my Pagan friends:

Yes, here is the big day again. The actual moment of the Equinox happens on Wed. early morning (1:22 am), but we will celebrate it at the sunset tomorrow, Tue., Sept.22. Come and join us. We will: Meet at the IGA in Summerland at 5:00 pm; Carpool and drive to the gate of the Giant's Head Park; Park and walk up the mountain, (takes about 1 hour; Driving to the upper parking lot optional;
Be on the top of the Mt by 6:15; Anticipated Sunset at about 6:20 - 6:30;
Observe the Sunset, celebrate, meditate, pray, sing, dance as you please, individually or together; Bring your own whatever, which will aid your celebration; Walk (drive) down. The Park gate closes at 9:00 pm; If your ability to see in twilight is limited, please bring a headlamp of a flash light. We will have the first quarter of the Moon to give us some light and cast a particular magic over the landscape; All family members/friends are invited.

No need to respond. Make your appearance a surprise. Let's see how many of you will find this proposition irresistible. Al
 

[Downtown Paro runs alongside the river.]

Greetings from Bhutan. Arrived yesterday after an incredible flight into the airport at Paro, the only airport in all of Bhutan. The pilot has to make 2 sharp 45 degree angles to avoid touching the hills. Quite a shock to look out the window and seeing how close the wing is to the hill.

Amazing difference between Paro, Bhutan & Kathmandu, Nepal. Bhutan is so pastoral and incredibly clean and quiet. No horns honking all day & night and no dogs barking. Not many cars so pollution is not much of an issue. Power outage however, is much the same. Never know how long you have to sit in the dark for.

As our luggage had to arrive on a separate plane, we went into the centre of town to have lunch and then visit the Sunday market before checking into our hotel. Red rice is grown in Bhutan so it is included in every meal. But the Bhutanese love their chilies which can be seen drying on rooftops everywhere. Bhutan's national dish is called ema datse and consists of large green or red chilies cooked in a cheese sauce. If you like to cry and sweat while you are eating, you'd love this dish! We've been served the best vegetable momos I've ever tasted along with fresh broccoli, fern fronds, yak cheese and chicken. Fish & beef are brought in from India and Thailand usually frozen, so not the tastiest. Expected to see hordes of people at the outdoor food market but our group almost outnumbered the locals. So quiet here. Then went off to visit the ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong, where the Paro Valley was defended from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th Century. 

Today we left our hotel at 6:30 am for a hike to the Takshang Monastery or Tigers Nest Monastery. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro Valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and the Paro Valley was converted to Buddhism. During the 17th century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated but this burned not long ago. The Takshang Monastery has since been rebuilt.

Tomorrow we start our 5 day trek. Weather report says rain for the next 4 days. This is the end of the monsoon season so hopefully we won't be washed out. It rained on our hike today but not for long and it quickly warmed up. Our first day of trekking starts from the Paro Valley to Jele Dzong. 10KM/4/5 hours/1115M ascent/40 M descent. No internet for the next 5 days so won't be able to let you know how we survive each day! Hope all is well with everyone. Namaste Elaine