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THE FULBRIGHT YEAR Disclaimer* This blog is not an official Fulbright Program blog. The views disclosed are my own and do not reflect those of the Fulbright Program,the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations

Sunday, October 3, 2010

SUNDAY IN CHILLAWK

Jim and I left Surry at 9 am and headed to Chilliwak for church. Quite a few of the Saints were in Abbotsford taking part in Cure for breat cancer run, so we had a small group; I think I counted 27.

Starting on the 17th of the month I will begin playing for church. They leave it up the pianist to pick the hymns for the service since each pianist has their own comfort level as to those hymns they want to play. After the service we went with a group from church to Homers Diner for lunch and then headed another 20 minutes on down the road to Bridal Veil Provincial Park.

East on Hwy 1

The trees are really starting to turn

Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park

Attention Visitors - there have been numerous recent sightings of a large black bear in the Bridal Falls Area. BC Parks continues to monitor the situation but advises the public to use caution in the area, make lots of noise when travelling and to ensure that all pets are on a leash at all times. Click here for more information on bear safety.

Yes, this was on the park's website….My new motto is "Do one scary thing every day!"


 

Remember at the end of the "Parent Trap" when they have taken Vicky on the camping trip and the twins tell her that she had to click sticks together to keep the mountain lions away? Well turns out there may be a bit of truth to that.

Reduce the chance of surprising a bear.

  • Always check ahead for bears in the distance. If one is spotted, make a wide detour and leave the area immediately.
  • Make warning noises and loud sounds.
  • Watch for bear sign: tracks, droppings, overturned rocks, rotten trees torn apart, clawed, bitten or rubbed trees, bear trails, fresh diggings or trampled vegetation.
  • And let's not forget the cougars which were also mentioned
  • Didn't know you were going to get a science lesson on BC wildlife did you?
    • When in Cougar Country:
    • Cougars primarily occupy the southern third of British Columbia. Most conflict with cougars occurs in rural communities, where people live in isolated settlements. People also encounter cougars while spending leisure time in cougar country.
    • Cougars are predators - the top of the food chain - and their actions are often unpredictable. We have little understanding about what might trigger an attack, but following these general guidelines will reduce the risk of cougar conflict and prepare you in the unlikely event of an attack.

Hiking or working in cougar country:

  • Hike in groups of two or more. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar.
  • Carry a sturdy walking stick to be used as a weapon if necessary.
  • Keep children close-at-hand and under control.
  • Watch for cougar tracks and signs. Cougars cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.
  • Cougar kittens are usually well-hidden. However, if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.


If you meet a cougar:

  • Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
  • Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
  • Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
  • Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
  • Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
  • Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
  • Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don't crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a cougar behaves aggressively:

  • Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.
  • If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However, if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one, immediately inform the nearest office of the Conservation Officer service

  • Well we saw no bears or cougars on our hike, only the unspoiled beauty of God's creation… but we did keep our eyes open!



     



     

    Bridal Veil Falls, BC



     


This has been a really good weekend for getting outdoors. Nice and cool but no rain…for a change

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Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
In politically correct language I am called a non-traditional student or,as my mother would say, a late-bloomer. For twenty years I was a stay-at-home/home-schooling mom but surprise.. kids grow up. When my son asked me what I was going to do after he left home I told him I was sure it would involve crates of Kleenex, junk food, and a lot of self pity. He suggested college instead and I took him up on it. I graduated in Dec. 09 with a BA in Criminal Justice/Corrections from Park University in Parkville, Mo. Through internships that brought me into contact with both the victims and offenders of violent crime, I have acquired a passion to assist each in addressing issues of accountability and healing through the restorative process of victim-offender mediation. As a 2010-2011 Canada-U.S. Student Fulbright recipient I will travel this fall with my husband and granddaughter, to British Columbia where I will be attending Simon Fraser University's Graduate School of Criminology. With a superb symmetry, Mother, arbitrator of children’s squabbles has progressed to victim-offender mediator.