On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
I remember a cold, dreary day in Surrey, England, a business trip. Having tea, working on a potential deal, chatting with friends, thinking about lunch. Suddenly an alarm went off in the building, everyone went silent put down their work and stood solemnly. For a minute. Another alarm. Back to work.
The visiting Yank in the room (me) asked what that was all about.
Armistice Day.
It is still an important tradition across Europe. If you visit small towns in France, Germany and England you will almost certainly see a memorial monument in the town square honoring local men and women who gave all for their nations. Often an obelisk. You will also notice that there may be 10 names from 1914-1918 for every single name from another era. The first world war of the 20th century decimated a generation. It was followed immediately by the Influenza Epidemic which took as many lives. A world changed and in many ways the course of history for the next half century was cast by these two storms.
It somehow seems especially important on this November 11. So let's all take a moment to stand still and reflect. Here in the USA we have broadened the meaning to honor all veterans. Thank you everyone who served!!!
And a few hiking notes: Winter has arrived. My sister and her daughter hoped to hike Mount Townsend on Sunday. After 5 hours they made it back down to 101 having survived black ice and spinning cars. They never hiked. A small group of us hiked Elbo Creek on Monday & encountered snow around 2700 feet. More will fall this week.
REI has their annual BIG SALE this week. The Garmin InReach Mini will be on sale for $250 ($100 off) starting Friday. I talked with a number of Park Rangers this past summer: it has become essential gear for them. I will be ordering one Friday morning. You can get 20% off an additional full priced item. Maybe time to pick up that pair of MSR Ascent snowshoes!
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