The problem with "adamant"... when doors close tight in a "solutions" store!

Reader alert: If this looks like it’s gonna to be about barefoot or minimalist running or paddling a skinny boat on the ocean or any other such "crazy" ideas, it's not. :-) It’s about “the problem with adamant”.

My dictionary defines adamant as "intransigent, not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course". To be adamant suggests an inclination to be unyielding and inflexible. And you know, that`s OK, if we’re adamant about working together for peace on earth, or if we’re adamant that all human beings must be valued and respected. Heck, if we’re adamant about taking all necessary steps to prevent any more oil spills or adamant about finding alternative and safer energy sources – that’s just plain reasonable. The problem, as I see it, is being adamant about sticking to a way of thinking or being inflexible about possible new paradigms or ways of doing things. This serves to close doors tight to fresh ideas, and to new directions. Forgive me if I`m taking this too far, but, I believe that adamantly clinging to "convention" (the way things are) can serve to limit personal growth. The state of being adamant can cause one to completely miss the richness of potential experience that awaits us in every moment of time when, and if, we are open to newness.

There`s a big church at the corner of Bloor Street and Prince Edward Drive in Etobicoke (Toronto). A large sign board welcomes visitors but what struck me was the thought of the day, "Believe those who are seeking...doubt those who find". Makes a lot of sense. It’s in life’s seeking that we experience growth and the fruits of new experience. When we think we’ve found "it", however, the search is often over. And when the searching ceases, especially in terms of the quest for knowledge, we no longer grow and develop. Difficult to imagine what the "up side" to what that would be!

So here`s the story. Joan and I were walking along Bloor Street in Toronto yesterday, appreciating the experience of the big (really big!) city. The day had begun with an early morning and very pleasant six kilometre run through the streets and amongst the stately, old, maple trees of the residential area near where we were staying. Running on the sidewalks and streets in minimalist footwear was a good reminder that, no matter what some folks say, you can safely run "barefoot" just about anywhere, and not just on the more forgiving trails that we are used to on the Island. Nope, there were no issues at all on the hard, city surfaces.

As we browsed the store fronts along fashionable Bloor Street, we came to a store whose advertising immediately caught our eyes. They specialize in "proper fitting footwear" and custom orthotics. An international franchise establishment, they provide "solutions" to consumers who, presumably, endure foot problems. They even offer a free "digital foot scan" which I must confess I found immensely tempting - but didn’t have the nerve to request. I had a sense, however, that they would have provided me with evidence that my feet were "broken" and in need of something that they would be pleased to sell me. I hope that doesn’t sound unfair. Anyway, my feet felt fine so I didn`t think any more about the free "scan".

We went into the store to see what they offered and we were both curious to hear their opinion on minimalist footwear, which have clearly been a "solution" to many of us who have been injury-prone in regular (cushioned and supportive) running shoes. The store had just opened and there were no other customers so I felt it was OK to take a few minutes of their time with our questions.

A very cheerful thirty-something sales person greeted us and so I asked him if they sold Vibram Fivefinger shoes to which he replied with a rather emphatic, "NO". He added that several other folks had been in and had asked the same question but, "No, we don`t sell those here." There really was some disdain in his voice but I want to be fair, he may have guessed that likely, there was not going to be a sale involving us this morning. In my new role of investigative reporter, I pressed on, asking him his opinion on VFFs and other such minimalist footwear. (I should say that I am not a confrontational person and really quite gentle in demeanour – my question should only have been understood in the context of curiosity.) Yup, our cheerful salesperson clearly had an opinion. He said that it was too bad more people didn`t buy the minimalist foot wear because that would be VERY good for his business. I inquired as to why that would be. He stated adamantly that it was because "wearing that kind of footwear will destroy your feet." Yikes, I thought (but not out loud), only several hours ago, on the paved streets and concrete sidewalks of Toronto, we were destroying our feet! Who would have thought that destroying our feet could be so much fun...and feel so good!!!

Our sales person proceeded to explain to us that "we (human beings) were never meant to run in bare feet." (Gosh, many of the world's indigenous people will be surprised to hear that!). He went on, "Our feet NEED cushioning." He allowed that it might be all right to go barefoot on the beach but when I asked him about actually running in minimalist footwear, such as Vibram Fivefingers. His response was adamant, "Never! You will destroy your feet." When I shared with him that I had heard that an increasing numbers of folks who enjoy running were transitioning to minimalist footwear, he allowed that it was very "noble" that some people would want to "adopt a natural approach to footwear" but (again) "they will destroy their feet". Hmm, well at least we’re "noble".

So what’s the bottom line here? Well, this "solutions" store assumes that, as human beings, our feet are generally "broken". We could, however, regain proper mobility and experience reduced pain and discomfort if we buy their highly cushioned, orthotic-filled, arch-supported, corrective-design footwear "solutions". And hey, I'm pretty sure that’s just what the free "digital foot scan" would have proven! The salesperson at the "solutions" store was more than adamant in his belief that anything to the contrary was simply – wrong. Sadly, as one whose expertise is probably rarely challenged, our "foot and shoe expert" is dealing out misinformation.

I’m not adamant about, in the context of this example, everyone throwing away their conventional running shoes in favour of barefoot or minimalist running. In fact, if I meet someone who finds joy, happiness,and good exercise (injury-free) running in cowboy boots or stilettos, that’s great. It’s the refusal to be open that I find difficult to understand. If our salesman had said something like, "Yeah I’ve heard that some folks benefit from minimalist footwear", this posting would have gone in a different direction.

The trouble with "adamant" is that it can close a lot of doors. Your mileage may be similar, or quite different?

Duncan.

Ahh, for the love of...islands!

Have to admit, as much as I love flying, I think twice about it these days. The “footprint” on the environment, to which each passenger contributes while flying, seems increasingly difficult to justify. I wrestle with this while at the same time knowing that there is only a brief window of opportunity to visit with family across the country. My hope is that we can try to balance this by spending at least some of the time in the air nurturing a heightened sense of appreciation for the planet, and vowing to do more in other ways. On this flight, I got thinking about, islands.

It was by good fortune, but mainly flight planning by the cockpit crew, that I was able to capture the image above - a “tropical-like” island, its soft and feathery outline amidst the blue waterscape of Lake Superior, 41,000 feet beneath us. In my mind’s eye, it was easy to imagine being “marooned” on this little island far below the cruising aircraft. I would, of course, be “marooned” with my co-adventurer, Joan, our sea kayaks, and our light-weight-ever-ready minimalist trail running gear. (Would a solar-powered notebook computer with satellite upload and download capabilities spoil the image? Nah.) Sooo...just think of it. Barefoot, on the soft, damp, forest floor amidst the lush, island forest, paddling in the exhilarating swell along sandy shorelines, preparing a simple dinner of gathered and foraged, nutrient-dense treats (this is now, by necessity, the “one mile diet"!), sleeping under the stars and refreshed by the prevailing “south Pacific” breezes. Mmmm... my day dreaming was gently broken by the waiting flight attendant patiently repeating her offer of a mid-flight snack...“Bits ‘n Bites, or cookies?”.

Not sure what it is about the nature of islands, but I’ve always been drawn to them. Lots of folks are. I suppose, in a sense, we all live on an “island”. We share what is very much an island in space but we all also live, work, and play on 'islands" amidst the earth’s great oceans - it’s just that some of these “island” land masses are continental-size. Having said that, it’s hard to imagine someone from Toronto, Winnipeg, Denver, Geneva or Berlin, saying that they just love living on an island when the island they live on is North America or Europe or...know what I’m sayin’?

I think that to describe one’s location as being on an island, there must be, first of all, proximity to the water. Second, there should be a feeling of at least some degree of physical separation by virtue of the surrounding waters. Third, when you are on an island, there is a time at some point during the day or night after which it’s not particularly easy to leave. Here on Vancouver Island, for example, all these conditions are met: wherever we live, we’re pretty close to the sea; we’re obviously “offshore” and refer to most of the rest of Canada as the “mainland”, (our two other island provinces excepted, of course); and after the day’s last scheduled ferry or flight, you’d pretty much have to paddle or swim (for a very long time) to get to the "mainland" of Canada. So yeah, we’re pretty much an “island”.

My own history is tied to islands. I was born on one, a large one in the North Atlantic. Growing up in Ontario, we had a rustic cottage for almost three decades on a little island (oddly enough, named “The Big Island”) on a lake in the Madawaska Valley. Trying to impress my future spouse, I told her in terms I considered very convincing, that one day she and I would sail away together to a distant island in the South Pacific. (I would have said anything to secure this relationship! We haven't sailed away to that island yet but we've done a heck of a lot of paddling.) Soon after we were married, we spent four glorious months living in a Newfoundland outport, with equally glorious people who taught us a great deal about warmth and hospitality – remote, it was almost an ”island” within an Island. As often as we could over the years, we travelled to the West Coast, to sea kayak amidst the Gulf and coastal islands. Twice, as a family and when our son was quite young, we launched our French-made Nautiraide folding kayak and cautiously enjoyed the otherworldliness of the Queen Charlottes, now known as Haida Gwaii. We have lived on this island for the past almost eight years and have every reason to believe we will remain on this island unless, of course, some immense geological event reconnects us to the mainland. Now that would be a bit of a “ride”!

Oh yes, and then there’s the island music... Having said that, great music comes from every place, nook and cranny on the planet. But island music does make you feel like summer and for a lot of us in the northern half of the northern hemisphere, we’re happy about that right about now.

Warm “Island” vibes, friends.

Duncan.

Image above: Somewhere over eastern Lake Superior – not the South Pacific, but a pretty sweet part of the country!

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Minimalist thinking, er, running...

On this, the first day of a designated study week, there's lots in the works for the next seven days..some reading, writing, thinking, maybe a little more blogging, planning for the fall season (believe it or not!), and a short visit to the "big city" to check-in on my mother-in-law. Oh yeah, maybe even some time in the kayak!

Personally, a day of productive study and reflection is much more assured if it begins with an early morning run. Today, being the Victoria Day holiday in Canada, we thought there might be a few folks out on the trails but we didn't see anyone. (It was early.) Ahh, too bad, as it's always fun explaining why we're not wearing "normal" shoes. (Having said that, not everyone's interested! Hard to believe, eh?!) It's fun, explaining the footwear, insomuch as it's an opportunity to "wave the flag" of minimalist / barefoot running and share why this is arguably one of the best ways to run further, faster, and without injury. At our age, that's good news as bodies tend to be less forgiving when it comes to injuries. Unnecessary injuries should be seen as particularly frustrating!

Yep, one day the running shoe stores are going to have to admit that they're selling shoes that can actually injure their faithful customers. I know, I was one for many, many years who believed that the more cushioning, the more support, and the more pronation control, the better the shoe - and it didn't matter how much it cost! Willing to do anything to avoid injuries, I would replace shoes when they showed any significant wear and tear, much to the delight I'm sure, of those who manufacture this overly sophisticated and over priced foot wear. The fact is, the more the cushioning of a running shoe is worn down, the better it is. At the risk of sounding as annoying as many who have successfully quit a bad habit, the usual running injuries (which, at one time, I seemed to specialize in) are pretty much a thing of the past. I should say that I still wear a pair of old Salomon trail runners, just to mix things up. They have around 1500 kilometres on them and except for the fact that they have some holes and tears, they are going strong.

The strange thing is that a lot of folks think this movement towards minimalist / barefoot running is a kind of "fringe" thing, preferring to stick with conventional running shoes. As Barefoot Ted McDonald often says, this thinking assumes that our feet are, by nature, broken, and in need of all the corrective technology offered (at high cost) by the manufacturers of traditional running shoes. Millions of years of change and adaptation created the feet that we were born with. We should just use 'em as they are. I will dare to suggest that in the next decade or so, minimalist running will become the norm amongst those who love to run. The smiles on their faces will convince the rest!

One more thought: Don't you find that when you "think outside the box" in matters such as this, you create a new "box"? But it's often an improved box and, more often than not, it's a launch pad for further fresh exploration. I think that's why daring to nurture new perspectives always enriches us and serves to create both interest and opportunity in our lives. Sounds good to me.

Hey, so I got to "wave the flag" after all. :-) Now back to the business of this study week. 

Duncan.

Image: A pic during this morning's run. The minimalist "shoes" surrounding my "unbroken" feet are Vibram Fivefingers (Classics) - no cushioning, no support, no pronation control, no bells, no whistles. You feel everything, and that's a good thing. They wear like a "glove", and sure, they look strange. But if you love to run or are tired of injuries and are feeling adventurous, check out the ample material out there on bare foot running technique. Guaranteed to be helpful.

The deck that Gord built...

I took this image from "the deck that Gord built". It is a rainbow over the Salish Sea, most commonly known as the Strait of Georgia. We're not much for sitting on decks but we deeply cherish this lookout over God's creation. We are here, before a launch, organizing equipment and anticipating with great excitement, the sea kayaking adventure to come. On this deck, we relax tight muscles after a trail run, allowing the view, as much as the exercises, to restore balance and energy. At night, we marvel at the stars and the depth of unimaginable infinity beyond. On this deck, it never rains during the west coast winter. Well, I suppose it does, but you don't notice.

Gord did far more than build a deck. He restored dignity and grace to an old, worn-out, and weary Island cabin - and he did it out of a love for his craft. We never felt we paid him enough for what he did. We felt a connection to Gord and Sharon from the moment we first met them. He was a seasoned educator and administrator and she a gutsy OR nurse, offshore sailors with a spirit that was more than immensely adventurous, skilled craftsfolk, whose warmth, hospitality, and gusto for life was simply contagious. They drew you in...and you were all the richer for it.

Gord died last night...but he touched the world in a very special way. He made it a better place. His teaching style was to model what was important in the way he lived. It takes courage to sail across the vast and lonely oceans as he and Sharon did together. It takes courage to fight the battle against an illness that he did...with a strength, a dignity and an unbending "joie de vivre". Gord taught us all a great deal about life and for that, we will forever be in his debt.

Sail on Gord. Thank you for the deck that you built and the special place that you created...and for every other way your touch transformed, and made so very special, our lives.

Godspeed friend.

Duncan and Joan.

Sandhill Cranes

It was the most amazing event, stretching out for roughly two weeks, when my attention was drawn by large numbers of birds flying overhead.  Their vocalizations were deep, and carrying, somewhat reminiscent of Ravens but somehow much deeper as they flew above me.   However these birds were much slimmer and bigger, their wings spanning to at least six feet.   At first I only managed to get pictures of them very far off in the distance, but because weather conditions were windy and cloudy, and I only had my small camera, the pictures were unclear.

Sandhill Cranes in V formation

These birds were neatly riding the air currents, and at times it seemed as though I was getting a 3 D view of a violently fast paced aerial dance.  It was quite astonishing really, how efficiently these birds went with the flow of air.  At one point all I could do was stand there and watch the intricacy of their dance with the wind with absolute amazement and delight. I truly wish the pictures I have of them riding  the wind had turned out better, as it would provide you with an excellent idea of their ability to literally go with the flow.  One minute they would be flying in a perfect V and the next they would change direction en-mass as the air currents changed.

These, by the way, had to be the very birds that I was referring to observing once before in "Aerial Dance: A challenge", an earlier post of mine.  Only at that time there were only six or seven of the birds and a different member of  the species entirely, as they were a very light gray or white color.  Naturally when I realized this my delight in seeing these birds quite simply doubled, because one mystery in my life has finally been cleared up.

Sandhill Cranes as they hit an air current

My attempt to video tape their flight failed miserably, the one time that I tried it, which was truly frustrating, but hopefully I will manage it during the next migration period.  In any event, I eventually got some fairly decent shots of these birds when they finally flew closer above me and they turned out to be Cranes, Sandhill Cranes to be specific. As usual I took lots of pictures because without a tripod its difficult to get clear shots with your head tilted back to look up at the sky directly above, and because of course I was determined to identify these birds.

Migratory Cranes

Sandhill Cranes a family group

Since the sight of and taking pictures of these Sandhill Cranes I have done some research and have learned they are the most common of the Crane species.   They have a red forehead, and even though their feathers are typically gray, they appear to be brown since they like to cover themselves with mud and they do forage in marches and bogs.  They have a long straight, blade like beak and carry their necks straight out in flight.  Their actual wing span  ranges between six to eight feet.   As I said they ride the thermals quite efficiently and can stay aloft for hours.  They typically range  throughout North America,  Mexico, Cuba as well as North Eastern Siberia.  They are opportunistic eaters and will eat grains, mice, insects, snakes and worms  just to name a few.  Their conservation status is not threatened.    If you wish to learn more about this particular species of bird just follow these links:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/id
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_Crane
http://www.savingcranes.org/sandhillcrane.html

A couple of these websites give you samples of the voice of this magnificent bird.  Enjoy!!!
Susan

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Seeing the world "up close...and personal"

3.7 nautical miles across the water, from the perspective of the City of Nanaimo, the "Harbour City", these cliffs on Gabriola Island seem nondescript, grey, bland. But from the kayak cockpit, they are a magnificent sculpture - dramatically textured from tens of thousands of years of  glaciation, rain, waves, freezing, melting, and the diversity of life that lives in the nooks and crannies of what was once seabed sediment thrust upwards by unimaginable tectonic forces. The multi-coloured sandstones and shales are striking to both the eye and to the senses, they seem almost fluid.

How our perspective on life and on the natural world changes and sharpens when we get "up close and personal". That's why, in part, I feel so passionate about kayaking and running. You are not a spectator, viewing a "high definition", but a still virtual, world from a living room chair. You are not subject to the interpretations and strident opinions of on-screen commentators you neither know nor have any real reason to trust.

On the water or on the trail, you are fully a participant with nature. The waves move you in multiple dimensions. The wind facilitates your passage or resists your every effort. On the trail, you side step and jump over the roots and rocks that would trip you up. You smell the vegetation and the forest floor, still damp from the cool of the evening. On both the water and on the trail, you notice tiny things that would go unseen if you were not amongst them, part of their world, connected by virtue of shared space and time. In the process of discovery, you find strength and a deep abiding peace and respite from what has worried you. Ideas flow, solutions come to mind, you feel refreshed. You know that you are part of something much bigger, much grander than yourself - and you feel deep relief.

It is in getting "up close and personal" that we truly discover the world of which we are a part and that sustains our every breath. It convinces us to care. Rachel Carson ("Silent Spring") put it this way:

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the Universe,

the less taste we shall have for destruction."

Perhaps you've found this to be the case in your outdoor passions?

Duncan.

Horned Grebe

Oh happy day!!!

I visited a place I had never been before today and not only did I see two species of hawks hunting the area, I also got many pictures of small birds which are totally unfamiliar to me, and baby geese.  The highlight of my day however, was the sight two Horned Grebe, aka Slovenian Grebe. They have been granted  other names over time, among them devil diver.  They are remarkably beautiful,  especially when displaying their breeding plumage.

Horned Grebe pair

When you first see them from a distance, the Horned Grebe seems  to stick out only  due to its  brownish color and because they tend to disappear  beneath the water.   However, a closer view of this bird  shows just  how striking its features are.  I was lucky enough that both birds were relatively close to me when I first arrived on the scene, and that neither seems to be shy of humans, as they were not bothered in the least by either my presence or the sound of my camera.  In fact they continued to come closer as I stood there taking these pictures.

Horned Grebe in the distance

The Horned Grebe, as it turns out, is usually a much plainer color.  That is black and white, and it's only striking color is it's red eyes.  As you can see by these pictures, this is not the case during mating season, when its plumage makes a drastic and beautiful transformation. The normally gray tufts on the side of the head that stick up like horns are now a beautiful gold color, it's neck has become red, while its body is redish brown and it's back black.   The color of its eyes seems to also change from red to take on a more pink hue. In fact, their eyes tempt me to give them yet another, more suitable name  perhaps, like ruby for instance, because they really do stand  out.

Horned Grebe

This is what I have discovered about this bird so far.  The Horned Grebe's habitat range is all of Canada, the US, Europe and Asia.  It nests near the water's edge, usually among thick vegetation and sometimes in groups, and usually lays two to four eggs.  This bird, like all grebes has legs that are set too far back on the body, making it difficult  for it to walk well, which is why it spends much of its time on the water, and will sometimes carry it's young on it's back.  In the fall, usually in November, it migrates to the coast and open water.

Horned Grebe Close up

During the breeding  season this bird prefers vegetated areas near fresh water lakes, marshes, or ponds.  Like all divers, it typically feeds below the water's surface on fish and crustaceans.   It will also feed on insects at the water's surface however.  It is a small  bird about half  the size of a Mallard Duck, but it's call is loud and distinct, as is the case with other species of Grebe. During non-breeding season it migrates overland in stages to inhabit coastal shore lines.  Thankfully this bird is not an endangered or  threatened species.  As usual if you wish to learn more about this beauty just  follow the links:

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3640
http://www.avianweb.com/slavoniangrebes.html
http://sdakotabirds.com/species/horned_grebe_info.htm

Susan

It rocks...when the seas roll!

We were just about to take our shoes off and go for a run (I know that may sound weird) and the overcast began to lift. Ahh...this was turning into a day when the stars, the sun, the planets, the wind, and the tide were lining up...for one sweet day of paddling! A brisk wind from the north-west cleared the skies, kicked up some waves and beckoned us to launch the sea kayaks from Descanso Bay Regional Park on Gabriola Island. It didn't take long to get into the waves and they rocked and rolled! One minute you were riding high and the next, you were settling down in between the waves.

And, yikes, every so often, we'd almost lose sight of each other!

There's something so incredibly satisfying about being tossed about on the water's surface while maintaining control of these narrow boats. The sea is unforgiving and is to be mightily respected, but with due care and utmost attention, it can be a willing partner in the pursuit of an exhilerating connection with the natural world.

You are never alone. Seals and sea lions poke their heads up, warm golden retriever eyes curiously giving the paddler a careful and studied inspection before quietly slipping back into the quiet depths in search of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eagles, gulls, and countless sea birds rest along the shore or soar in the sky high above. There is infinitely more life above, around and beneath you, but for the most part unseen, and presumably going about the business of...breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

How fortunate to have a day's adventure such as this. I try never to forget that.

Duncan.