The Hermit Poet

July 22, 2006

Penticton and Back Again

Filed under: General — Neil Aitken @ 11:33 pm

I drove out to Penticton, BC last week to help my parents with their move from Regina.  For those unfamiliar with the layout of British Columbia, that’s about a 4-5 hour drive from where I live.  Not much between here and there – lots of empty land and mountain.
Penticton is out in interior BC – mostly orchard country — but to get there you have to go through the mountains.  As you might recall, my car isn’t always happy going through mountainous terrain.  This time I made through fine, but all along the way I felt as if I’d be better off driving a truck.

It was still early when I went through and the mist was just lifting off the roads in some places.  Overhead thunderclouds threatened but did not break.  I was spared the rain at least.

Passing through the mountains in the morning, you can see some amazing sights.  Here’s some shots taken through the window:

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The clouds and mist hanging low near the road.

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Looking down the road ahead.
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Clouds.

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Just when you’ve had enough grey, the blue sky returns.

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The final stretch takes me past the lake and its beaches,

mostly filled with  the grey-haired.
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Most of the week was spent waiting for the movers to arrive.  I did more work after the movers delivered than before.  Other than building bookcases, moving boxes from room to room, and assembling beds, I essentially was a chauffeur (my parents’ car was in the repair shop).  It was fun to help out, but I was anxious to get back to my own “home” wherever that was.  While in Penticton though, I was able to meet many of my father’s old friends (Penticton is his home town), give an informal pool-side poetry reading, and sample some Royal Anne cherries (they’re golden and delicious!).

Upon my return, I set to work to buy and build my own set of bookcases.  And, happy to report, I am tonight finally finished unpacking all 24 boxes of books, shelving them, and tidying up.  I even found a place to  drop off all that cardboard.  I’m still short furniture, but I’m at least a bit more settled now.  My bed and dresser arrived yesterday (gifts from my parents to replace the ones I had to sell in the US before leaving).

I’m hoping now that all my stuff is unpacked — well the books mainly — that I can feel at home enough to start writing again.  I dislike this juggling of job search and writing — but somehow I’ll need to find a balance.

Well, I’m exhausted and ready for sleep.  Some poetry posts are coming soon.

One Response to “Penticton and Back Again”

  1. Christine Aitken Says:

    Nice pictures, Neil. Have you thought about a career change or have a side line? Very nice pictures. Mom

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