i know what i did this summer. A lot. My first Canadian summer and there’d be light when I close my eyes at night and still there when I opened them the next morning. I have been pining for time, more time, and my Squamish summer’s giving it to me with the stretched out days. The photos are dramatic, I know. But my summer is split evenly between the benign and the beguiling. See me scrambling up Sky Pilot, ice axe on back, micro-spiked soles, tank top on snow, strange but true. Yet moments before we were at the supermarket, stocking up on pre-packaged smokies and hot dog buns to BBQ on the balcony. We’re at Walmart looking at an outdoor table before coming home and quickly smashing out the door to our world class backyard trails where I’m already feeling stronger and slicker skimming over roots and mud and fallen branches. O Canada! You wear your profound and affecting beauty quietly, humbly and with such depth of character. You offer yourself free to whoever wants to enjoy your landscape and you’ve earned the respect of those who do. There is no litter, nary a cigarette butt and when hiker meets biker meets dog walker, all say hello in splendid spirit. Today, on my run, a mountain biker sat poised and nervous prepping to take that leap off the cliff. He shared his vulnerability with us, 2 strangers and as we saw him push off and land safely on two wheels, we applauded his grace and skill and gave a silent note of thanks for his safety. My summer has been a lesson in gratitude that the earth is still gorgeous and available to me. My summer has been a lesson in doing something everyday to protect it no matter how small. My summer reminds me how joy and well-being, calm and peace can cost absolutely nothing. My summer’s not over. I’m in love with and loving what it is showing me and I intend to learn as fast and as hard as I possibly can. 📷 @bootneck_45