The Country Mice

A beautiful start to an era-altering day.

Homeboy’s new school has taken my child and promised to return me a man.

Well, not quite so draconian but after three days away from his maman et famille I’ve little doubt he’ll come back wiser, stronger, braver.

To the north of Vancouver, on the way to Whistler, and not far from where we live, is a camping area well known to the west coast called Garibaldi. Popular with the Vibram-soled crowd, Garibaldi loops through the rocky crags with hiking trails, lakes, rocky cliffs and panoramic views.

A stellar place to assemble the population of an entire school, set them up in tents, immerse them in the outdoors thru hiking and swimming in glacial lakes, and live the school motto: Wisdom. Courage. Integrity.

The students range from Grades 6 to 9 and the demands on each group increase with their sophistication.

The Grade 6/7s will hike on the flats, the 8s around a substantial lake  and the 9s will tackle the peak of the mighty Black Tusk, weather permitting.

For now they’ve just gathered outside the island’s library, waiting for the arrival of the ferry.

They are pumped. My boy is guardedly pumped. First serious trip from home and with folks he’s known for less than a week.

Remember the school motto?

Courage.

He’s got it in spades.