Deadlines and late-night nail-biting finishes at the polls leave me little recourse but to finally discuss a topic that isn't our provincial election. Now, ordinarily when stuck in a position where I just want to get away from it all and clear my head I do what everyone in Squamish does. I go for a ride.
We all have different rides, those things we do that make putting up with all life's crap worth it. For many in Squamish those rides are usually outdoors whether it be fishing, walking, hiking, climbing, biking, boarding and so on.
Now however, it appears that crap has entered the woods as with every step in forest one sees the lush green littered with florescent flags of change. Where adventure once stood now lay roads with signs saying "for your own good".
Many have seen this before, fishing spots, trails, climbspersonally my first run-in with progress was when my childhood playground became more popularly known as the Alex Fraser Bridge, not exactly the getaway spot it once was.
So it is that at a time when Squamish has tattooed "adventure" on its forehead the very thing it stands for is at risk. Not to mention the very word "adventure" is at risk with Mountain FM's nauseating attempts to kill it using the same fiendishly repetitive technique it administers to its play lists.
As for developments, granted they've been eating our trails for a while and besides the odd scream in the woods there hasn't been much hullabaloo, until now.
Now, Squamish's most prized mountain bike trail is being threatened. The Powerhouse Plunge, the coup-de-grace in Canada's premier epic, the Test of Metal, is slated for destruction. This is a trail literally responsible for countless open wallets and smiles of locals and visitors alike.
Unfortunately, not everyone can see the millions of dollars flowing from our woods into the local economy. People live and travel here because we're a global recreation destination. However, just as we're finding this out, it's slated to be destroyed.
Now, we're not naïve enough to think that it would all last forever. After all, our society has deemed pavement as progress, and you can't stop progress. Unfortunately some believe since it happens everywhere, it has to happen here.
Those who believe that there's still a chance, have a very short period of time to make their voices heard. Your choices are limited so make them effective. Phone, email and even old school a letter to your new MLA, councillors and Mayor. As well, if you haven't already, it's time to pony up and join your local association. SORCA, The Squamish Trails Society, and most recently the Squamish Dirt Bike Association (welcome to the fray!) These overworked volunteer groups are on the front lines of keeping the good times alive and they don't have a chance without your support.
As anyone in City Hall will tell you, as far as pavement goes, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
