Adventures Free You

💧 WATER CAN RISE. FAST.

Many people don't realize that rivers below hydroelectric dams can change dramatically in a matter of minutes. BC Hydro operates 82 dams at 40 locations across the province, generating most of B.C.'s electricity. These facilities can cause sudden changes in river flows and water levels, creating hazards for paddlers, boaters, hikers, hunters, anglers, and campers.

In Northern B.C., three major hydroelectric dams and several smaller facilities influence local waterways. Search and Rescue groups such as North Peace Search and Rescue and Nechako Valley Search and Rescue have seen firsthand the risks associated with dam-controlled rivers.

Whether you're exploring Northern B.C. or any region with hydroelectric dams, know the risks before you go. Watch for warning signs, alarms and horns, secure your gear, and always have an escape route to higher ground.

Even a small rise in water levels can make a big difference.

Anyone can learn.
Why not give it a chance?

There's all kinds of stereotypes.
As a woman working in trades, the outdoors, around heavy machinery, and in the kitchen, I've witnessed a few.

I was a storm chaser. While working in a field job for a very large organization, I was asked to 'go do paperwork & get snacks/water with the other girls', just after a tornado touched down. I knew way more about that tornado than anyone else around me did. I knew before it happened, that my crew should not be driving into the path of it to complete some field work. I told them it wasn't safe. We picked a different location & watched it touch down from there. Some male supervisors unknowingly drove directly into the path.

I have a lot of footage of the damage. I worked with HR & OH&S to add protocol to the handbook for extreme weather. Well, actually I brought up a few things that changed the handbook, safety training program, communication & reporting procedures.

Funny to be doing what I am now after working there.

It's important to me to learn how to build, & repair things. I'm into canoeing. It's been in my life since I was a kid & isn't going away. I've jousted, bobbed on the gunnels, tried to see how long I could sit once submerged, dropped an anchor & slept in the middle, cracked one on top of the van when we jumped it (accidentally) on an FSR 17yrs ago, & most recently caused a few more repairs... outfitting my own canoe last weekend was so fun! 😁

Stoked to be back at Columbia River Paddle again! I was just noticing the other day that a lot of my favorite shirts have blue collars. Haha. One is a CRP Tee!

It's fun to learn.
It's fun to teach.
It's fun to dream.
It's fun to live life outside.
It's fun to be a free woman.
🛶






💦

Meet Monica Dragosz of Wild Sense Psychology. A truly beautiful human.

Monica has worked in mental health for the past 30 years and has been a student of ecopsychology for at least the last fifteen. She recognizes that deep connection and reciprocity with other-than-human nature are central to our well-being, and that personal and planetary health are interconnected. She lives life with a naturalist mindset and has participated in bird counts and surveys for the past two decades, enjoys volunteering for conservation projects, and feels lit up by any encounter with wildlife.

I met her through our local Facebook Marketplace when I was downsizing & selling a set of barstools. Goes to show you... you never know who you might be talking to?

Turns out, Monica had just moved here & is interested in a lot of the same things that I am. She even showed up for a walk in a bamboo beanie from Back to Nature Apparel, having no idea that I had one too! I've known Stan & Keltie for years!

Through connecting with local people, I have found that there is a great deal of wisdom in this valley. There are also a lot of caring & adventurous souls. Monica is one of these people. I have been learning many new things from her & have never felt so inspired about birds. 🐦

Feeling very fortunate to be co-hosting our event 'Birds Talk & Foxes Walk' with Monica for the Wings Over The Rockies Nature Festival this week, May 4th - 10th. This is an introduction to “bird language” and “fox walking” as developed by naturalist Jon Young, as well as other somatic/sensory exercises adapted from forest therapy and ecotherapy. 🦊

Our event is sold out! However, there are still opportunities to take part in the festival.
Check out the Events Calendar & Ticket Sales at www.wingsovertherockies.org

For more about Monica's services check out:
www.monicadragosz.ca

To get yourself a sweet bamboo beanie like ours, check out www.backtonatureapparel.com

Links in Bio (click on Linktree) 🌱

Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge, Montana.
Found it on a road trip to a concert & supercross race in the States years ago.

Fun fact: This is in the Columbia River Watershed. It's a big river and we are at the start of it. Quite interesting to follow this river (or any river) closely on a map. Do you know your watershed?

Learning our watershed is also part of an ANFT Certification for Forest Therapy. That's a win. We need to understand where our water comes from & where it goes. 💦

Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge, Montana. Found it on a road trip to a concert & supercross race in the States years ago. Fun fact: This is in the Columbia River Watershed. It's a big river and we are at the start of it. Quite interesting to follow this river (or any river) closely on a map. Do you know your watershed? Learning our watershed is also part of an ANFT Certification for Forest Therapy. That's a win. We need to understand where our water comes from & where it goes. 💦 . . . #rightplacerighttime #pacificnorthwest #columbiariverbc #watershed #montana