BC Update - Sept 13, 2005

Nuala and I have been continuing to explore the Lynn Canyon and Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, both of which are mere minutes walk from our front door.

On Saturday, we took a nice easy walk around Rice Lake, a nice easy circuit that takes about 2.5 hours return from our place. On Sunday, we did a bit longer of a trip, on more varied terrain, over a combination of trails. As you can see by the pics, this is a true wilderness area, regardless of the maintained trails. In many areas there are signs warning that bears have been spotted in the area, although we have yet to see any.

In addition, our belongings FINALLY arrived from Ontario... "on-time" as far as the movers were concerned, and over a week late as far as we're concerned. I guess figuring out who's "right" will depend entirely on your perspective, however we will be actively working towards a refund of some amount due to the obscene lack of regard we were shown through this process. While the majority of our gear arrived in passable condition, our kitchen table arrived in 4 pieces. It was originally loaded in 1 piece. Needless to say, we will also be looking for compensation for that.

I can say for sure that, having now moved across the country once, I will be approaching any future moves with a completely different mindset. First, and foremost, I will likely not use an independent company again. While normally I prefer to give my business to smaller, more locally-based companies, after this experience, and without a proper independent national mover, I think that I would be much better served to use a national company. Surely, there must be something equally as expensive that will give me less of a headache in the long run. Incidentally, I used Good Ol' Boys Moving. Maybe it's the fact that I picked a company with the word Ol' in it that really did me in. I don't think I need to actually say this, but for the record I DO NOT RECOMMEND that anyone use this company.

If anyone has any experience and/or recommendations on cross-country moving, please feel free to post a comment.

It's incredibly gratifying to live in a region that I have dreamed about for so long. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning knowing that I am living on the side of a mountain, with all the amenities included so close at hand. We seem to have been able to show (ourselves, at least) that we are capable of taking advantage of those amenities, which is an encouraging sign.

I trust that all is well with you, wherever you are, and whatever you're doing.

Be well.

/pk