Since this is the time of year for traditions I thought it might be fun to talk about a New Years Day tradition I witnessed this year.
Virtually everyone is off on this day making it easy for families and friends to get together and enjoy the final hours of the busy holiday season in a more casual relaxed atmosphere. My family and I decided it was a beautiful day for a drive and toboggan so we packed our snowsuits, hot chocolate and a snack then set off up to Lac Du Bois.

I instantly fell in love with the park. Not just for its serene beauty but because of the Kamloops residents who make it their own. Near the bottom of the road we saw parents of really young children hauling them up and down the gentle inclines, dogs running between grandparents and babies so bundled they looked like brightly coloured marshmallows.
As we continued to climb, and the snow got deeper, the children got older and the parent groups got bigger. At one point there was a small pullout where large groups of adults could be seen standing amongst chairs and coolers surrounding small fires. Older children could be seen hauling their sleds up steeper, bigger hills or pulling their younger siblings on the sidelines. As I drove by watching these scenes I was struck with one of my favorite feelings – the sheer joy of life in the simplest of settings. There were no fancy electronics or designer snowsuits only warm mittens, good company, hot chocolate and a small fire to stand beside when your toes got a little numb. It was beautiful and something that I will not forget anytime soon.

Even farther up the road you started to come across the snowmobilers with their large trucks and heavy gloves these folks came prepared to spend the entire day doing something they loved. Teenagers and school age children patiently waited their turn for a crack at the big machine while tobogganing down whatever hills they could find. Two large black dogs raced up and down the road throughly enjoying the excitement. Extensive trails and tracks could be seen coming in and out of the woods and over bluffs covering long distances and reaching into those areas that often go unvisited once the deep snow falls.
Past them all the road is deep with snow so we turn off towards one of the lakes where we find the quiet and serenity that truly defines winter in the forest. Roads are closed and tracks are sparse, if there are any to be found at all. A pull out and trail map reveals the tell tale tracks of cross country skiers. We stop and get out to explore but quickly realize we can’t go far – the snow is up to my waist and my daughter follows only slightly above the snow behind me.

We didn’t find what we were hunting for. The thing that is our New Years Day tradition. Which was a small patch of ice on a little pond to skate on and imagine what lay sleeping below. Our skates go unlaced for today but we will always remember the things we saw as we explored and just why the residents of Kamloops are such wonderful people to be around.

Happy 2008 Everyone!! And may this year bring you new wealth and fortune whatever you define that to be.

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