Apparently Mountains and Directions Don’t Always Go Together
Posted on 25 October 2009
I spent the weekend in Canmore with some very fit friends. After the summer of back injuries and inability to put on my own socks, I am no match for these women when it comes to running.
The mountains are absolutely gorgeous this time of year, so I was easily convinced to go for a run in them with my friends despite their superior fitness.
Gorgeous town nestled in the foothills.
Halfway through the run, they noticed I was lagging behind. They slowed down to let me huff and puff my way to them. At that point I realized, despite the gorgeous view, I had to let them go on without me.
I bravely accepted the key for the condo and headed back the way I came. My girlfriend let me know the condo was on 6th and 3rd. Ave, Street, Boulevard? Heck as if I knew or asked for that matter! So I just kept running…wondering when I needed to turn.
Unfortunately for me, I did not pay attention to the path we took. I had been enjoying the mountains and river whenever I was able to take full breath in. After about 20 minutes on the journey back, I found myself on a lonely path with some strange men on it. My heart jumped into my throat.
To avoid being raped and pillaged while running without a phone, ID, or any sort of defense mechanism; I quickly pulled a switchback.
Now completely lost, the beauty of the mountains mocked me as I ran about wondering where in heavens name I was. A peppy looking young blonde wandered onto the path, so I asked her for directions.
DL – Hello. Can you tell me how to get to 6th and 3rd?
Peppy Looking Young Blonde – Ummm…no. I have lived here my whole life, but have no idea where that is. Is that by the park?
DL – Not too sure. I am totally lost and just need to get back to the condo before my girlfriends arrive back. I have the key.
PLYB – I can’t help you. I don’t know any of the street numbers.
Ok, Canmore is a very small mountain town. How is it possible that a life long resident wouldn’t know the street numbers of where she lives?
Somewhat frantic at this point, I ran through the trees and into the town only to scare a nice looking couple. I can only imagine that the frazzled, sweaty, lost DL isn’t a woman you want to encounter on a romantic walk. They also lived in the town but had no concept of addresses, only landmarks.
I finally used my own navigating skills to get back to the condo using a new route, without the help of any mountain-esque people. As I turned the corner after my jaunt through most of the town, I saw my girlfriends about 800 meters ahead of me heading down the home stretch to the condo.
Out of breath, tired, and embarrassed, I started to close the gap while they cooled down. We arrived at nearly the same time. I was completely worn out while they looked energized and happy.
All I could do was blame the happy, directionally challenged people of the mountains for my tour of the town on my way back to the condo while gasping for air.
Now I know; if you can’t keep up…maybe you shouldn’t go in the first place. No matter how fantastic the view is!
6 responses to Apparently Mountains and Directions Don’t Always Go Together
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I’ve experienced the same local oblivion there.
In Rocky Mountain House there are virtually no street signs but you could ask a shrub for directions.
Exactly. What is the deal with these small towns? You would think they would know these things inside and out! After all, how many streets are there?!
you guys are idiots! it’s because there once small town has been ravaged by development and only tourists like you stay in the lavish rented out condo’s! the town has tripled in size in ten years. so don’t blame the locals as the directionally challenged when you were the one that got lost.
True enough. I remove my blame of other people for my being lost. I just think it’s funny that people in small towns don’t know the names of their streets. I had an address, but they couldn’t point me to where that was. My husband grew up in a town of 500 people and no one knows the names of the streets. When I asked people what street they lived on, they would look at my blankly and say something like, “Same street as Smiths”. It’s just that the context is different, that’s all. I do love Canmore and think it’s beautiful, but can only imagine that having all of us silly people parading around is frustrating.
Wahhaaaahahahaaa!!!!
So seriously, Jon lived on the same street as us? The Smiths????? Coincidence?
(ok, that really wasn’t a truly serious question…just had awkward pause for a mo’)
I’m good with awkward pauses! Once upon a time we all lived on the same street, and we all knew it was 102 street!