John Kitsco

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Certainly most of us have at one time or other in our lifetime made a special
trip to the mountains. It is said, the mountains capture your heart. Well indeed
it may be so.  I made a journey to work in the mountains at a lodge when I was
in my teens. I did not stay long, just not the type to smoke and party and stay
up all night long. That just was not my style. On the final day in the mountains
near Jasper, Alberta - I had the incredible few seconds of my life - shaking the
hand of Walt Disney, who was possibly making a movie in that area.  It was
a very brief introduction. Asked for and received an autograph. Then basically
hitch hiked home. My job at the time was unloading frozen meat during the day
and washing dishes in the evening. Nonetheless, I had time to explore and
appreciate the beauty of the mountains. Tall, majestic. nothing like it. The
Rocky Mountains.

And what is the special allure that brings us back again and again? More than
the wonderful fresh air and waterfalls, more than the black bear and moose and
deer,  Possibly something that connects us to the beginning of time. After all,
much of the rock is very very old. We are talking about millions of years or
longer. The shale and various type of stone has moved due to earthquakes and
even man made projects. With the technology and equipment they now have,
no problem to move a mountain.  Our Uncle Steve helped build the railway into
the Rockies. Many of your family members (I am sure) have various connection
to the Mountains.

I have climbed somewhat in the rockies, hiked and even fallen over a small cliff
when a black bear approached me.  A few scratches but still survived to tell you
about it.  I have flown over the rockies in a small aircraft, completing a set of
prints on a roadway project. Again, every aspect of the mountains has its own
qualities, its own uniqueness and  even driving through the mountains offers
a special challenge. I think back to my young years, camping trips to the rockies -
having a fresh wash from a creek in the early morning. Taking our kids on
horseback into grizzly territory. And catching trout. At all times, surrounded
by the beautiful and formidable rockies. 

Yes, the Mountains are dying. And basically, so are we. How we connect to the
mountains and remember them perhaps helps us in our own lives to discover
ourselves. 

Take time to make a special trip the Rocky Mountains. And enjoy them
while you can. Have a safe journey. Take time to meditate and perhaps
rediscover the peace and quiet that you can find, in the Rockies...