Flash Back Fridays

Flash Back Fridays

NORLAN CABOT – 80s

Dan McKinnon barbequing salmon west coast style

I remember my little West Van self being dropped off at the side of the road to take my Strathcona courses. I felt so out of place. Everyone was a wild bushman and then there was shy me. I had never hiked or paddled or anything. The very first person I met was Jim. I will ALWAYS remember it. He was at the end of the boat dock fish-ing or something. He had on his big hat. I had on a red and white gingham shirt bought for the occasion. I was SO intimidated!!!!

And then it was all down hill as I began the courses. Penny Milbrandt and I were put in a canoe together, and we could not make it out of the paddock. We arrived at the campground two hours after everyone was there! I did ten days in the rain on

Escalante and I did not even know what a ‘fly’ meant. I pitched my tent, which I had NO idea how to do, in Jim’s camp spot, and he kicked me out. He had a coin in the branches which meant that was his spot and everyone should have known. Oh yes, and I had been dreadfully sea sick in high seas before landing on Escalante. Anyways, I dragged all my stuff out to another spot…soaking wet. I guess he felt sorry for me because he put pinecones in some plastic & strung a ‘fly’. OH LORD.

I could never learn to Eskimo roll so they sent me out without anything!!! I was left by the ropes course ending up in tears at the thought of trying it. My heart was pounding. I think Dan McKinnon took pity on me and took me kayaking. OH MY GOD….he tried to hit on me!!! OH MY GOD. Anyway,

Strathcona has HUGE memories… the big- gest of my life in many ways