Just in the USA about 50,000 people died by suicide in 2025, many being youths. How incredibly sad is that!? No doubt prospects for youths and even adults was severely impacted by the Covid-19 virus and variants – just one cause for some to give up on life.
My point in addressing this tragic issue is somewhat related to John Milton’s epic poems; ‘from paradise lost to paradise regained’ * but not entirely…please read on;
No doubt the absence of hope is the root cause of many if not most suicides! Clearly then, what is needed is real hope for the future based on solid facts.
Where can we find such real hope in a world that consistently engenders economic greed; government corruption; destruction of the environment; crime and violence; and the list goes on!?
The promise of ‘a return to paradise’ is a main theme of scripture. And scripture has been proven to be just as reliable as the rising of the sun. How can this be said? To begin with most scripture is recorded history of God’s dealings with man. That being the case, it’s possible to compare the biblical record with the known facts of history. Does it meet that litmus test, indeed it does! In fact many times the previously doubted Bible record has been proven correct when new archaeological and/or other factual historical evidence comes to light.
Indeed scriptures have shamed critics and proven to be accurate beyond any contradiction time and again, including references to known science; for one example the Psalmist said ‘his makeup was written down in a book before he was born’! ** A perfectly clear reference to only recently known DNA! And again, the scriptures refer to the ‘circle of the earth hanging on nothing‘, *** a fact we have only visually confirmed in recent times! But these words were written thousands of years before science confirmed them. Obviously the Bible was ‘inspired’ by the one who created these wonders we have only begun to appreciate!
The answer my friends is ‘written on the wind’, in a manor of speaking. The rotten conditions that exist on our beautiful planet are not in keeping with its purpose at all. **** Little wonder so many people feel hopeless. We naturally and rightly wish for a better world, a united world of mankind living in peace and security with plenty for all! And that is exactly what is promised for those who exercise faith in our Creator’s promise to regain paradise lost!
‘And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away,’…. ‘And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away’…. ‘And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.’….’Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.'(see Revelation 21:1-5)
**** “For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
If there is one thing you can say about ‘paleontologists’ is that they have more imagination than avant garde artists!
For example; from mere impressions in well worn seaside rocks they can visualize entire species and families of living sub-human creatures! Amazing isn’t it, reminds you of the attempts to justify a theory of evolution by fashioning pieces of bone together and naming it ‘Piltdown man’, which has been long since been ‘debunked’!
Like those who perpetrated that particular myth, no doubt the objective of many in this field is to, shall we say, gain recognition and credit for great discoveries. However objective examination of real facts simply do not support the ‘thousands of years’ they hypothesize, regardless of exercising very (modern) human imagination!
Even if the so-called rock impressions vaguely resemble human impressions, which is extreme conjecture, the age of the rocks themselves is completely unknown and undetermined!
So-called carbon dating etc, which by the way they don’t even bother to offer as evidence for making bold statements about the age of said rocks(?), continues to be a highly unreliable method as experts will confirm. No, even those dating methods simply do not provide reliable evidence for the formation of rocks, bones, and vegetation – much less provide support for belief humans existed millions of years ago!
Still high-priests of evolution will continue to promote and advocate some animalistic forms of human existence long before ‘modern man’, based on such things as mere well worn rock impressions. Impressions which by the way are well known to be created by ocean tides and currents to mention just a few ‘natural’ processes.
But sadly, similar to TV evangelists, science based glory seekers will continue to exert their imagination, creating illusions for a Nieve public, often well supported and misguided by news media, unfortunately.
Einstein once said: “imagination is the highest form of research”. His words seem to fit many scientists and educators today. Many human traits are laudable, however true imagination is rare!In fact despite years of worldly education and training, most present day scientists and teachers are implicitly missing genuine imagination, imagination such as Einstein himself demonstrated.
Case in point: advanced beings of high intelligence in the universe have often been imagined, yet the concept of a ‘Creator’ of all things is commonly dismissed! I’m suggesting the reason is because of a self-imposed limit on ‘genuine’ imagination, a blind spot when it comes to imagining an all-powerful God, a Creator of all things!
Yes a general human inability to embrace the concept of a living being with such vast unlimited power and intelligence, Creator of the entire universe and all life in it, as so clearly set out in inspired scriptures!
When astronauts walked on the moon, they were struck not only with the beauty of earth, but the very profound feeling they were witnessing the work of a timeless, all-powerful Creator.But if it is within our ability to grasp, or imagine such a Father of all life, how hard is it to visualize that he would ever allow imperfect humans to destroy this jewel of his creation!? No indeed, genuine imagination, and logical well-founded faith based on the ‘book of nature’ alone, provides real hope for relief from our rapidly declining world system of things; economic, political, and religious.In fact such relief is actually ‘inevitable’, why? Because a Creator of all life cares for his works of creation, as indeed we humans care for our very best works. Our Creator will not see either the earth or mankind completely destroyed; ‘that’ my friends is truly… unimaginable!!
Copyright; Gavin Hurlimann (slightly edited) Note: this article supplements my own ‘Evolution Critique’ posting.
The disciplines of science have already proven that the Christian God of the Bible exists because the solid, rigid, fixed & unbreakable laws of physics.
To avoid fish hooks, confusion & for the ease of the reader; let’s be VERY EXACT with our terms & definitions.
The Laws of Thermodynamics are concerned with heat, mechanical energy, and the conversion between the two. All physical, biological, & chemical processes known to man are subject to these laws. Science often speaks of four (4) laws of thermodynamics, but only two (2) have any meaningful connection to Christianity.
They are the first (1st) & second (2nd) laws of thermodynamics.
It’s important to note that these “Laws” are not a hypothesis. They are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable by anything/anyone in the natural world.
1) The first (1st) law of thermodynamics – also known as the conservation of energy – states; “Nothing is presently coming into existence or going out of existence: matter & energy may be converted into one another, but there’s no net increase in the combined total of what exists”.
In other words, even if matter is converted to energy and vice versa, there will never be an “increase or decrease” in the total amount.
Therefore, if the matter and energy are neither created nor destroyed, then where did all the matter and energy in the universe come from?
Either;
a) the universe somehow came into existence without God, even though science has proved that it is impossible for something to arise out of nothing,
b) everything always existed in the universe, an idea that science has also proved impossible, or
c) God created it. This “is” most reasonable, plausible & rational explanation in light of this scientific Law & the following Laws & evidence.
1st Conclusion:
Science openly acknowledges that according to the first (1st) Law of Thermodynamics, there is no scientific explanation for the origins of the universe & life – apart from an Act of God.
2) The second (2nd) law of thermodynamics states that the entropy (breakdown or disorder) of a closed system cannot decrease, it only gets worse;
Every system, left to its own devices, always tends to move from order to diso, it’s energy tends to be transformed into lower levels of availability (for work), ultimately becoming totally random & unavailable for work”.
Scientist & author Isaac Asimov explains; “The universe is constantly getting more disorderly. . . . .all we have to do is “nothing” & everything deteriorates, collapses, breaks down, wears out, by itself – and that is what the second law of thermodynamics is all about.”
Two simple examples of entropy;
1) The exterior paint on an un-maintained house with eventually peel & fall off.
2) All human beings break down & die. The current death rate from old age is 100%.
In other words, left to itself & over time, everything tends toward disorder, randomness, and disorganization – unless there is intervention by an intelligent utility.
Naturalistic evolution “demands” that every physical system, from the atomic level on up, is the result of a spontaneous and increasingly complex and well-ordered process of assembly. Darwin suggested that living organisms, for instance, came about via a long string of infinitely complex, yet “random” evolutionary processes.
If planet Earth was an entirely closed system, such progression would be in complete violation of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. It’s important to note, however, that our planet is “NOT a closed system” in terms of thermodynamics, mostly because planet Earth is receiving energy from the sun.
However, the hypothesis of evolution runs contrary to the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics is on a general, large-scale view.
Entropy observed.
The trend, according to these unbreakable scientific laws, is that entropy (breakdown or disorder) is increasing, and thus natural processes must also be breaking down – not building up or “evolving” into something more complicated as postulated by the hypothesis of evolution..
Simple observation empirically confirms the truth of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics. Paint on a house chips and peels. Dust builds up. The house itself falls into disrepair if preventative steps are not taken. Living things die & rot & finally decompose. We can observe the results of the second (2nd) law of thermodynamics every day.
The hypothesis of evolution however, requires much more than just a simple change in entropy (breakdown or disorder). For evolution to be valid, the theory requiresmore than water freezing or the formation of salt crystals or dust collecting into a solar system. To evolve from non-life, matter on Earth would have to constantly, consistently, and directly move “AGAINST” the force of entropy (breakdown or disorder). However, this is “scientifically impossible”.
DNA is “NOT” a result of naturalistic evolution as the science of DNA has proven.
Evolutionists claim that life evolved in very small, simple mutational steps over billions of years in an open system like Earth.
But mutations “ARE” entropy (breakdown or disorder) and mutations occurring in a constant, beneficial manner “ARE” a violation of the unbreakable, scientific, second (2nd) Law of Thermodynamics.
2nd Conclusion:
The first (1st) & second (2nd) scientific laws of thermodynamics are fixed, rigid, consistent & unbreakable. Nothing in our natural world – including the hypothesis of evolution – can violate them.Except according to science, an Act of God.
3) Since 2013 NASA & SETI astrobiologists have acknowledged that all DNA originates from an intelligence outside of the observation of our current utilities.
So in light of this, a belief in the God of Creation is “not unwarranted” – or at least, not dismissed without rational consideration.
To illustrate further, all plant, animal & human DNA requires three (3) critical components;
a) information
b) communication
c) language.
Genuine science views DNA as a marker of intelligence NOT evidence of biochemical evolutionary processes. In simple terms; DNA cannot be “made” by biological evolution.
So, the science of DNA “rules out” all plant, animal & human life observed yesterday & today as the current end game of the hypothesis of evolution.
Why is this not common knowledge?
Andrew Kibler provides an responsible explanation in his post of Dec 4 2018;
“Science can take a good 5 to 10 years before it even begins to become mainstream. That’s on a good note though. People’s beliefs, worldviews and careers are on the line with some scientific discoveries, so it could take even longer. When it was discovered that light had “travel time” it wasn’t instantaneouslyaaccepted. It took 50 years to become mainstream after some hard battles”.
So, using the Laws of Logic;
d) DNA exists in all plant, animal & human life.
e) DNA is not the product of naturalistic evolution.
f) DNA is a marker of intelligence.
g) Logically, DNA is the product of something outside of the utilities of science.
h) The certaincy of scientific law leaves us mere humans with a couple of alternatives. In Western civilization the intellegence that creates intricate individual DNA is commonly referred to as the God of the Bible
i) Or aliens, if God is too hard a pill to swallow.
J) Panspermia& Directed Panspermia – a possible scientific alternative to God “or” evolution, involving aliens has zero evidence & the hypothesis remains on the fringes of credibility.
k) Finally, modern physics has demonstrated that consciousness mind does exist independent of matter. Mind & matter can & do interact.
l)This is a game-changer for the scientism, atheistic obsessed, as there is now no scientific basis for denying God’s existence.
3rd & Final Conclusion:
According to the scientific first (1st) & second (2nd) Laws of Thermodynamics it is impossible for the hypothesis of evolution to occur.
According to the science of DNA, it is impossible for DNA to be created by an evolutionary naturalistic process.
Which leaves: Evidence + Belief + Faith = God.
And because God exists, it follows that He created everything, including us.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A group of scientists are close to recognizing that there “might” be a God. They are astrobiologists.
S.E.T.I. stands for “Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence” and comprises several groups of scientists that were combining their expertise to try to discover if there is intelligent life anywhere out in the universe. [1]
In order to decide how they would recognize intelligent life, they had to determine some basic criteria that they could apply to observed phenomena that would characterize only intelligent origins. For example, if they saw certain patterns like Morse Code in a radio transmission, infra-red radiation, or gamma ray bursts, they would be certain that it had originated only at an intelligent source.
Since the early 1980s they have never detected any intelligent life anywhere else in the universe.
Recently however a couple of these scientists, Vladimir I. Cherbak and Maxim A. Makukovb, had the bright idea to apply the criteria they had created for SETI to the results of the DNA studies that have emerged. The conclusion was exactly one word, “Wow!”. [2]
They found that DNA shows patterns that could only have been created by intelligence. The odds of an error were less than 1 in 10 (exp) 13. (1 in 10 trillion). Their conclusion is that DNA is not random, but is the definite result of an “intelligence”.
The astrobiologists published their conclusions in a peer-reviewed journal in their field named Icarus. [3]. Peer-reviewed means that other experts in the same field have poured over their work and conclusions and have given it their consensus.
Click on the link below in [3] if you want to see some of the article and the charts of DNA that show the clear proof of intelligent design.
It’s likely you haven’t heard about this if you aren’t in the field. But it must be causing head scratching through a lot of research institutes and concern among evolutionists. It takes courage for these scientists to come forth and go against the entrenched dogma of evolutionists and the backlash that will surely come. But the truth will win out because it can’t be suppressed indefinitely.
“The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is the collective name for a number of activities people undertake to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. SETI projects use scientific methods in this search. For example, electromagnetic radiation is monitored for signs of transmissions from civilizations on other worlds. Some of the most well known projects are run by Harvard University, the University of California, Berkeley and the SETI Institute.”
[2] The “Wow! signal” of the terrestrial genetic code. Vladimir I. shCherbak, Maxim A. Makukovb
Excerpt from the Abstract: “Here we show that the terrestrial code displays a thorough precision-type orderliness matching the criteria to be considered an informational signal. Simple arrangements of the code reveal an ensemble of arithmetical and ideographical patterns of the same symbolic language. Accurate and systematic, these underlying patterns appear as a product of precision logic and nontrivial computing rather than of stochastic processes (the null hypothesis that they are due to chance coupled with presumable evolutionary pathways is rejected with P-value < 10 (exp) –13). The patterns display readily recognizable hallmarks of artificiality, among which are the symbol of zero, the privileged decimal syntax and semantical symmetries. Besides, extraction of the signal involves logically straightforward but abstract operations, making the patterns essentially irreducible to natural origin.”
“Icarus is a premier scientific journal dedicated to the field of planetary science. It is published under the auspices of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS). The journal contains articles discussing the results of new research on astronomy, geology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific aspects of the Solar System or extrasolar systems.
Source: Vladimir I. shCherbak & Maxim A. Makukovb: Icarus Journal May 2013.
Resources: The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism: Philip Johnson. Publisher, Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, Illinois USA.
Ultimate Proof: Resolving the Origins Debate by Dr Jason Lisle. Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group, Inc.
Heisenberg Uncertainty (indeterminacy) Principle: Dr Mario Beauregard, Dr Henry Stapp, Dr Richard Conn Henry, J.P. Moreland.
Psychology and Religion by Carl G Jung. Publisher: Yale University Press.
New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. Intervarsity Press. Leicester England.
Vladimir I. shCherback and Maxim A. Makukorb, Icarus Journal May 2013.
Is God a Delusion: Dr John Lennox 14 March 2015. YouTube.
The Mind and the Brain: Dr Jeffery M. Schwartz. Publisher Haper Collins.
Isn’t it exciting to hear there may be earth-like planets, namely those that orbit suns similar to our own, perhaps even in abundance ‘out there’ in the universe?! Yes, but let’s take a step back and analyze ‘why’ its exciting for a moment.
Could it be that our human emotions are based on hope? What I mean is this; based on human history, (I refer to written history and not speculative pre-history), there have been many technological accomplishments, however, sociologically not so much, or to put it simply, human relations have, for the most part, been an abysmal failure.
Arguably, history has recorded that modern man is pretty much a failure in human relations. For instance when has there ever been an extended period in at least 2000 years that hasn’t included wars, genocides, oppression, atrocities, ad infinitum!
In my humble opinion failures throughout history have engendered a present day ‘faint hope’ that somewhere, somehow, mankind will find relief, or to put it another way, ‘salvation’, from his earthly experience. (I would also submit this is the very basis of the ‘theory’ of evolution.) In other words an attempt to absolve humanity from our blood stained past, and even more so, its present!
Its no secret that the dramatic increase in world population has brought about the prospect of mass-extinction, despite enormous potential for increase… why? In a nutshell; the answer is clearly human mismanagement, be it environmentally, politically, or economically!
But I digress; returning to the aforementioned planetary discoveries; what is it that really excites us about them? Isn’t it all about finding relief from our human failures? The vain hope that if there is life on other planets it may somehow point the way to discover or make human life somehow successful, an existence that has eluded us on earth?
For example, remember the classic Sci-Fi movie “The Day The Earth Stood Still”? An alien galactic envoy arrives to warn that robots were authorized to arbitrarily enforce galactic peace. They were said to be programmed to obliterate any planet who threatened a galactic peace protocol by the misuse of atomic power! (A very human approach no doubt!)
In conclusion, I submit that mankind as a whole is missing the ‘woods for the trees’. What I mean by that is the greatest human to ever live provided us with the way out of our failed human condition, the way to achieve what many are now seeking in the stars.
He told us what to seek, how and where to find it, and the result would be nothing less than everlasting life on a paradise earth! Therefore shouldn’t that be our primary focus? Because whether we seek it or not, earth is scheduled for exactly that ideal future by its eternal Creator! Indeed, have faith: it really will happen, with, or without, our personal benefit, and right here on planet earth!
Stories on the news often stimulate memories, particularly for seniors. Tonight there was a mention of the ‘False Creek’ waterway between West end Vancouver and West side Vancouver. By water it’s about 1.2 kilometers according to A.I.
My friend and I were regular Crystal Pool* swimmers in the 1950’s, not more than 13 years old at the time. After swimming in the Crystal Pool we were still filled with youthful vigor.
For no particular reason one of us, probably me, got the so-called ‘bright idea’ to boldly swim across to Kitsilano Beach (i.e. related Vanier park). It was barely in sight after sunset, directly across from the old Crystal Pool, an area known as Sunset Beach.
Since we had donned our street clothes after our swim at the pool, we had to determine how to do this challenging feat. Again we had a bright idea, namely, we would undress (possibly with swim suits on) and place our clothes on some scavenged beach wood in order to keep it dry as we pushed it ahead of us right across the harbor! Of course it also served as extra buoyancy as we hung onto it.
Indeed we did exactly that, keeping our clothes above water as we swam. I have no idea how clean the water was in those days, all I know is it was quite cool compared to the Crystal pool salt water, but not really cold either as this was in summer. Currents, and/or tides, didn’t cause us any problems, perhaps just out of good fortune. In fact as I recall we laughed about our bold endeavor as we kept in contact swimming across False Creek adjacent English Bay.
Now when we got across to a rocky beach area, it dawned on us it was going to be an unfamiliar and perhaps distant walk to the bus line needed to return to our homes in Southeast Vancouver!
Since we were flushed with success and feeling somewhat over-confident it seemed only natural we could just swim back to Sunset beach and that’s exactly what we did!
This episode in my young life has remained secret from that day to this as far as I can recall. And please note; I do not recommend it for youths, or anyone today, especially considering the great possibility of a far more polluted False Creek today than in the ’50’s and ’60’s, though I have no specific information.
Is it possible for our puny human brain to actually be in touch with the Creator of all things? Arguably its a question philosophers and thoughtful people have struggled with since the beginning of written history.
For instance speaking of human history, year after year archeological discoveries confirm entire ancient civilizations now being uncovered in South America were ‘primarily’ based on worship of an all powerful god in one form or another.
In truth its simply no exaggeration to say there is an innate desire in all humanity to communicate with a supreme Creator! And with limited knowledge, many societies have conferred this desire on objects of wood or stone, in the vain hope they would be heard and benefit therefrom. Is so-called ‘modern man’ really so different? Or is technology filling that very same role today? Its a fair question considering how much focus of attention is given to it in all its material forms, from smart phones to orbiting satellites.
Of course it is obvious to thinking people a far, far, superior entity exits some refer to as the ‘first cause’ of all life on earth. Ever more true science clearly points to a Creator of life on earth in all its genetic forms. Generations of observant mankind see abundant visible evidence of this.* However this is also backed up by inspired prophetic scriptures with positive reinforcement of that evidence, in spades!
Can it truly be said there is solid evidence to base hope and belief on other than lifeless wood or stone, effigies, technology and icon’s, or even paintings, etc, but rather on an invisible all-wise and loving spiritual God?
Albert Einstein epithet; “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” [Science, Philosophy and Religion]
In fact scientific confirmation is being added every day, consider this….and keep in mind this was written thousands of years before DNA confirmed this… “Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; All its parts were written in your book Regarding the days when they were formed, Before any of them existed.” (Psalm 139:16 NWT Bible) Hebrew scripture written by King David;
Another example; “He (God) stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing” (Job26:7 NWT Bible)Again, recorded scripture written thousands of years before space travel confirmed this fact, during a time when most of mankind believed the earth stood on on the back of a turtle or an elephant or had some other ignorant idea!
These are just a couple of examples of the accuracy and authenticity of inspired scriptures, i.e. Holy Scripture. As if simple observation of all life and beginning to be understood ecological systems on planet earth were not enough in and of themselves!
What is more, he has promised to restore this sadly damaged planet to its optimal condition, including all mankind…. “….he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”(Revelation21:3-5)
“He is the Maker of the earth by his power, The One who established the productive land by his wisdom And who stretched out the heavens by his understanding.” (Jeremiah51:15)
True; humility is needed in order to acknowledge plain observable truth that we are the product of an invisible, spiritual, benevolent all-mighty-Creator, well represented by his son. Please visit JW.org for much more news and information plus a free study of the Bible, you’ll never regret it!
When have you not been impressed by human interactions with animals? I’m saying never. Indeed our relationship with animals, land or sea, has always been, at the very least, intriguing. From curious killer whales, to birds and gorilla’s many others of our fellow earth creatures have proven to be willing to interact with us humans.
So what is the point? May I suggest we are part of a symphony of creation, perhaps in the likeness of an orchestra conductor!
By that I mean our Creator has given us a beautiful association with all His creation. When he stated to the original human couple; ‘to have in subjection’* all other life on earth, he actually granted us humans an untold connection and stewardship of all other life forms from birds to mammals!
For example basic communication with many creatures are being discovered in recent times by serious students of the environment. Perhaps you have seen some of them on PBS TV channels, as I have.
Its a clear lesson for all of us on planet earth; we have been created and blessed to joyfully communicate and lovingly care for the fellow creatures of earth by our wise heavenly Father.
O’faithful breeze you caress our trees a seasonal key for restful needs signs of summer soon to believe blessings to all as calming seas beginning new life, birds and bees seeing it flow as sunset recedes reflecting its glow on shining new leaves serving for all, blessing reprieves.
I left rather late in one afternoon and flew directly from Victoria airport over Georgia Straight and coastal mountains to the 108 airstrip. It was (is?) an excellent paved strip capable of handling larger airplanes as intended. However as the sun set I was amazed at the total absence of anyone in the vicinity, including a nearby store and golf course!? In fact even while I spent the night under the stars in a sleeping bag right on the golf course, yet I never saw a single person! To this day that is puzzling.
It was intended only as a quick educational trip to 108 ranch resort 300 miles from Vancouver B.C. Block Bros. Realty a well known Vancouver real estate firm beginning in 1960’s Vancouver, had sponsored, and financed this recreation retreat. In spite of considerable investment and promotion it never succeeded as hoped for several reasons. For more information on this project go here: http://108 Ranch Resort by Block Bros. Realty
Despite the reasons for its eventual failure, including driving distance from Vancouver, Henry Block * had developed notable features, 18-hole PGA golf course, clubhouse, swimming pool, restaurant and lounge, and a 20-room lodge, which were completed by 1972, to encourage investors.
I was very intrigued by it as a youthful Realtor in Vancouver. So sometime after acquiring my pilot’s license, and airplane, I decided to take a quick trip from my Victoria base to take a look at it.
In any case the next day, perhaps because of some disappointment at the 108, I decided to fly South before returning home. As I did I noticed a small airstrip next to Green Lake and decided to land and have a look. It was a very dry dusty landing, but just across the road there was a ‘dude ranch’* where a family from the lower mainland was vacationing that welcomed me! Somewhat overwhelmed by their hospitality, I ended up joining an evening around open camp fire, but not before a trail ride that was an experience of a lifetime in the afternoon! See this great video on the Flying U Ranch!: * * * Flying U dude ranch
With very limited ‘horse sense’, I was invited to join the family galloping (and I do mean full speed) through a forested area you could hardly call a trail! I hung on for dear life as small trees and bush brushed my legs and threatened to rip me off my steed, it really was the experience of a lifetime!
Afterward we drank some beers around a large and hospitable camp fire under a starry night. I could not believe how fortunate I was, and only wish I had my own family with me there. Once again I slept in my sleeping bag out in the open under an awesome Caribou sky as can only be fully seen far away from city lights.
The next morning I took off early in a huge cloud of fine dust from the short dirt airstrip, and after doing a low pass or two over the ranch, headed South to Vernon. At an airstrip shop there I found partners who had sold me a Mooney airplane previously. As fellow pilots, typically, they gave me the keys to a vehicle in order to briefly spend a few sunny moments on a lakeside beach! However, it was past time to head home and I did so that afternoon.
Only less than a two day experience, but as memorable as ever can be for me!
