One year ago...

When I think back to a year ago today I realize how lucky Joy, Sadie, and me when compared to our friends and neighbours. that afternoon and evening I was at work in cowboy boots and hat, celebrating the arrival of our new President from Vancouver. As he spoke, you would see our community partners scanning their phones and quickly exiting their seats for the door. Because we were in event mode for the entire day, I had no clue of the State of Emergency or the evacuations to come.

When I leave work late I usually short-cut through Sunnyside and head down Memorial for the Deerfoot drive home. I turned into Sunnyside and was immediately greeted by a traffic jam of cars in the opposite direction. That was truly my first inclination of things to come.

I emailed my friends Dirk and Laura to let them know we could take in their family as the news that night was they would be evacuated. They said they were safe, camping up at the old KOA campground. Luckily enough they didn't accept the invitation as for what was to happen later that night.

We were awoken by a knock at the door shortly after midnight with a couple of guys telling me it was 'time to go'. I had my shirt on backwards and inside out, not really comprehending their comment. I went back upstairs with the evacuation order and asked Joy if she wanted to wait until morning.

Try reading this at 1 am

Looking outside I saw all our neighbours pulling out of their garages and heading out of the little pocket of paradise we call home. We called mom and dad and told them the family were coming for an unexpected visit. At 1 am we were on the road, heading north on the Deerfoot with dog in tow. When you are not really knowing what is happening or really appreciating the threat you don't think straight. We packed Sadie's food and all her 'jewellery', but for us we only had the clothes on our backs.

Usually the Herald is at my front door

The bug spray was a great touch. I love our city.

We did lose our fridge contents but really, who wanted to eat those leftovers? We didn't know how long we would be out but in the end it was only a few days. Our pocket of paradise was unscathed, shy all our pathways and bridges which are scheduled to be back in business sometime this summer!

Leanne, Wylma, and me in High River

When I reflect back on where we were then compared to our neighbours in Calgary and surrounding communities we are truly blessed. the entire event showed the greatness of our community and that we still have a bit of a small town mentality in a city of 1.3 million.

Over the next month and year we have had our group of trotters detoured, delayed, and denied access to our routes for training. Overall the pain for use was minimal. We did get to discover new urban routes in the higher grounds of Calgary but I do think everyone missed our Thursday night treks to Original Joe's.

Thankfully we are not repeating this again this year. We are going to have a great summer of training, starting this Saturday, 8 am from McDonald's in Glenmore Landing. Joy and John will be out there for sure. How about you? Breakfast on the patio at 1600 Bier Haus around 10 am?

Next week on Thursday I will be missing my sixth straight Original Joe's night as I have my last parade meeting before the big event two weeks TODAY! I am really looking forward to meeting William Shatner. Next Saturday I will be at a family reunion so the default will be Eau Claire on the 28th. I will be back for the next two Tuesdays.

Who wouldn't have that on their bucket list?

Have a great longest day of the year tomorrow no matter what you do. But if you do come see us Saturday.