Two-week break at the newspaper

Just a reminder that the Pass Herald is closed for two weeks! Yes, two whole weeks, a break for my staff and myself.

It’s been a wonderful year. My health is better and I’m systematically checking off all the bucket list items I have set out. The way I’m going they will be done in a couple of years. 

This past weekend I climbed the Bridge of the Mastodon. It was the hardest scramble of my life, but the view at the top were amazing. I have a photo of myself standing on the bridge, full of power and determination. It was a 24 km round trip journey with four hours of route finding, setting up ropes, and finally getting to the bridge. The entire day took 10 hours. 

Few people I know in the Pass have made it there and after that experience I understand why. It tested my physical and mental strength. Standing on the bridge I was reminded of who I am, how fragile life is, and how important that climb was to me. It was so much more than bagging a summit. 

In the past I would do fun things with Quinn all week. We’d plan out game nights, tennis matches, paddle boarding, fishing, and hiking. Now he’s seventeen and busy, and those moments are few and far between. 

The big boys are busy, Keiran at Douglas Applications and Aiden attending summer school in Edmonton. 

I can’t wait to climb the mountains I love and run through the fields in this beautiful valley. I am looking forward to it more than you can imagine. I made a pact with myself that one year from my eight-week recovery I was going to run a 50 km trail race. I’ve had a bit of a blip on the radar with a heart issue, but I’m still signed up to do a 50 km race in September if the doctors let me. 

On a different note Sparwood is dealing with a massive forest fire. I can attest that it’s incredibly dry out there and we are also one spark away from the same fate.

Please be vigilant when you are in the back country and help us keep our Garden of Eden safe. We are 20 years to the month since the Lost Creek fire. 

When I was hiking to the Bridge, I have to say this is the most beautiful place in the world. I crossed seven creeks and rivers, walked paths filled with tree needles and saw everything from squirrels to deer, elk, and turkeys. No bears thank goodness! It’s stunning in that mountain area and if there is a vision of Eden in my mind, I was in it for a moment. 

I just plan on stopping to just smell the roses, take stock of life and just breathe.

When I ran for council, I didn’t honestly think it would take up so much of my time. Everyone warned me but for some reason I don’t remember it being that busy for my mom. Apparently, it was.

It’s hard to run a business, represent your community and be the best mom you can. My kids deserve that and more and sometimes it’s a tightrope hoping I’m not missing something for them for the sake of my community.

We have had a successful first half of the year here at the paper. Our subscriptions are up and our advertisers very generous. Every time I think I’m not going to make it in this industry, I look at the books and see we are holding steady, and that is because of you, the readers and the businesses in this community, that continually support us. 

So, I’ll end this saying thank you for allowing us a break, thank you for reading the Pass Herald, and here’s to a two-week break for my kids and me.

Our next issue is August 16 and I hope to come back a little more tanned and a lot more rested. I hope you all enjoy your summer as much as I have.

Have a wonderful August, I know I am going to enjoy every second.