...it probably is.
That's how I was feeling yesterday as I kayaked around Lake Malign in Jasper National Park. Whoa. I was feeling pretty crazily giddy as I paddled down that lake, watching one scene of beauty after another reveal itself. Every time I rounded a corner I wanted to cry, and no- it's not that time of the month. I took a few pictures which for once I will share with you here. Jasper has both Internet cafes and photo places to get stuff from chip to CD.
The only thing that marred the whole experience was the evil death cloud I saw hanging over one part of the lake as I headed out. Still, I couldn't resist paddling all the way out, doing my best to both take pictures and protect the new camera. All was fine for the first hour and a half. This is me still enjoying my happy giddy hee-hee-hee-ha-ha-ha feelings. I was on top of the world!
Then Evil Death Cloud got serious. The whole sky got darker and darker, and I had a long paddle back, which I was just starting. Oh well, no worries. I had my little rain jacket, and things weren't yet so bad I couldn't snap a picture or two.
I'd just have to motor.
Oh how wrong I was. The wind picked up, the big brother of evil death cloud moved in, and I watched the rains start way off in the distance- unfortunately in the direction I was headed. Well, those nice ripples turned into waves, and that wind started pushing right into my chest. I had to crouch low and forward, and I just drove through it. No pictures of this happy time. The rain started coming down, first vertically, then horizontally, but thank goodness no thunder. Oops. Ok, distant thunder.
Once the rain got serious, I started to get miserable. I had my ballcap, sunglasses and rain-jacket, but lesson learned: mountain rain is COLD. Driving mountain rain on an alpine lake is freeeeezing. My hands got so cold they were first aching, and then I couldn't hold onto my now freezing cold paddle. I had to keep stopping, just floating in the waves and wind and rain, warming my hands on my tummy, and then forging forward again until my hands wouldn't grip again.
Evil Death Clouds will henceforward be paid proper respect on alpine lakes. 10 minutes after reaching shore, the rain stopped. The weather can change just like that. It took a good long time prostrated in worship of my car heater before I could go get that kayak and drag it onto my car, and get it all strapped down, but I did it.
By the time I found a campsite for the night, the rain had held off for a little while, and I got a couple neat shots.
and Mr. Moose, who you are well advised not to get too close to. They're known for charging-
That rainbow lulled me into thinking the rains were over, but they weren't really- I just didn't know it 'til I'd found my campsite, spent 1/2 hour finding and chopping up wood, and beginning to get my fire going. *Pfizzzzzzzle* Yup, I was being taught a lesson.
Oh well, I had half a bottle of Shiraz and a National Geographic. I threw the seats down, added the Thermarest and my cozy down sleeping bag and settled in. All in all, a pretty unforgettable day.
Today I'm going to see Athabasca Falls and do a bike ride. Next after that are the glacier icefields and Lake Louise. Ahhhhhh.. Armed with my fresh survival knowledge, I'm sure it'll be fine.
