I imagine it was just a cottonwood sapling when I first visited the hot spring with my dad in the mid sixties. Growing within a few meters of the hot spring source, it probably wouldn't warrant a second look at the time. If I had only known how that same sapling and I would cross paths again years later, I would have taken it for a wiener stick back then when I had the chance.
Jump ahead over 30 years, I've noted this day in my journal, and can pin point the date. Monday June22 1998.
I had spent the morning mowing the airstrip and hopped on my mountain bike which was my habit to ride to and from the hot spring campsite back in those days. I would have wheeled right down over the bridge and skidded to a stop next to the big log bench that I leaned my bike on. It had been a hot, busy weekend, but mid day Monday had whittled down to a handful of regulars. It was nice at the tubs, quiet, shady, with a slight summer breeze from the south., and hardly anyone there. Pierre Poirier and a friend relaxed in the far 'Jacuzzi' tub. Someone was just packing up and leaving the A-frame.
I had an idea of just stopping in for a minute, but happened to strike up a conversation with a couple sitting at the large uncovered outside tub that were there for the first time. I was leaning up against the upright on the lean-to shelter conversing with Mike who was settled in the water, and his wife who was seated on the edge of the tub, probably answering the same bunch of questions I always got asked. A sudden gust of wind blew overhead, one that got our attention, we didn't feel it on the ground, but a quick, short blast had barreled up the valley. I scanned up the hill and could see large fir trees swaying higher up the mountainside.
From her seat on the edge of the tub Sandy says in her Australian accent,
"Wow, that was almost scary."
Hmm, I thought to myself, it was rather odd.
Right about then we heard a deep crackling sound, you would think a branch had broken, but at the same time, it sure didn't sound like no branch, this was kind of hollow sounding, and came from low down seemed. Puzzled, after several seconds I took a couple of steps backwards to see clear of the lean-to structure which was obstructing my vision to the right.
Meanwhile, over in the far tub, Pierre and friend have noted the huge cottonwood next to the A-frame break 3 feet off the ground and slowly begin to lean towards the unsuspecting trio at the outside tub. He trys for my attention, but things happened too fast, and resigned himself to seeing me mashed all over the deck and stands there open mouthed as the events unfold before him in seemingly slow motion. Once clear of the lean-to structure I glanced up over the direction behind the A-frame. I'm staring at this huge cottonwood, and it takes a second to register the leaves are turned back as it makes a quickly accelerating bee-line right for us.
John Wayne might have stood there waving his arms directing women and children out of harms way, but in real life, you just react to save your hide.
"Holy shit!" I hollered to no-one in particular, then spun around and took off like a shot, which certainly aroused everyone's curiosity.
Funny what goes through your head at a time like that. I didn't want to go left because I was afraid of slipping on the wet deck, and I thought twice about going right as I was afraid of colliding with the newly planted donation box. So off across the bridge I went like my hair was on fire. Sandy, bless her heart, pondered my sudden departure for a moment, then stepped out to see for herself.
I had actually considered falling that same tree a couple seasons earlier during construction of the A-frame. Standing at the base with a snarling chainsaw I judged the natural lean was directly in-line with the bridge. I knew just how far the tree would reach if it came down, and I didn't fall it then because I didn't want to deal with the mess right then. I figure the tree had it in for me. I knew I needed to at least reach the large boulder-barriers at the hots spring entrance.
I was hoofing it across the walkway nearly lifting the planking behind me, and all I hear is an ever increasing whoosh of branches, leaves, trunk and destruction coming from above. I was going along at a pretty good clip already, but somehow found another gear and really poured it on, nearly stepping right out of my boots. When I reached the boulders I dove as far as I could. The top branches of the tree struck me from behind in mid-air and smacked me into the ground, and with the velocity I had going on I think I skidded on my face uphill for another 10 feet.
I jumped to my feet, re-born, laughing and holding my arms triumphantly in the air. My back felt like I was hit with a cat o' nine tails, and the hide was missing off a few spots on front from the slide. but I was intact. I looked back down to the hot-tub area, I see Mike standing up dripping in the tub with a stunned look on his face, studying the huge tree that has suddenly appeared on the scene. I don't see Sandy and get a sinking feeling in my gut. Suddenly a squeal and curses come out from under the heap of branches and I reached the spot in about 3 bounds, pulling debris out of the way to reach the victim buried underneath, swearing in Australian. I got a hold of her by the waist and pulled her out of the tangled heap of branches and broken boards.
Sandy rubbed her head and says, "What the hell do you Canadians call that?"
"Good adventure" I said, "And none lost!".
That would get your attention if you were relaxing in there. Buggered the tub up too.
Thumbs up for sure.
They build those Australian gals tough, drop a tree on them and and they get right back up.
She was fine, got a few scuffs and a bit of a bonk on the noggin, and a great story to send back to Australia. When I turned and ran, she stepped out in my tracks watching me go, wondering what the hell, and got hit from behind, branches knocked her forward and off to the side then pushed her into the soft, muddy bottom of the creek. Very lucky girl, and I'd venture that the Tsek spirit intervened at the last moment.
Postscript.
An hour after the incident, the owner of the local bike shop drove in for another free soak. He took my pretzeled bike back to town for new wheels and bars, and of course charged me full retail to fix it.
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