Alberta, Back Country Hike, Banff National Park, Photography, Sunshine Village

Send Off – Fond Farewells – Back Country Hike – July 2019 – Part 3

At the top of Standish, the 6 of us sauntered slowly along with the throngs of day hikers. 4 of us looked a bit different, with our 40 pound packs and we were getting some glaces of envy (or perhaps, it was sympathy) from the rest of the hikers with their tiny packs or just bottles of water.

Up at the viewpoint, we found a place to eat our prepared lunch. Pat, L and I enjoyed our cold pizza slices washed down with water. All around us, people were snapping their selfies, while we four hikers were champing at the bit to get under way.

Me taking a photo of M
Me taking a photo. My wife is my favourite photographic assistant and makes sure she captures me in my natural environment
Looking off down the valley
Day hikers
Beautiful lakes and alpine meadows at the top of Standish
Islet
A beautiful day for a hike
Some snow on the peaks
M is all ready for the hike

Lunch eaten, our wives and mothers accompanied us to the edge of the path leading to the main hiking trail and fond farewells were said. I later was told that I looked nervous. I was more likely anxious to get this under way. After all, I had been planning it all for so long. As I headed down the trail, I heard someone insistently calling my name. It was my Patty. It appears I forgot to kiss her goodbye. Wait, did she not think I was coming back. OK, now I am nervous.

Patty taking her last photo of us (to be used to identify the bodies?? – I hope not)
and they are off……………..

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kagould17

Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement. I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure. I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.

14 thoughts on “Send Off – Fond Farewells – Back Country Hike – July 2019 – Part 3”

  6. It truly was. Yes, lots of wild life, deer, mountain sheep, mountain goats, Grizzly bears, squirrels, gophers, rabbits and Pikas. The birds were everywhere. You could hear them, but you seldom saw them. There will be a post on wildlife. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan

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