Fish Creek is now Fish River!!

Fish Creek is now Fish River!!
Originally uploaded by icemakk.

Rain. I hate it at the best of times. I prefer a thunderstorm that rolls in, beats the hell out of the place and leaves. Like a shooter bar...get the job done and fast.
Lately Southern Alberta has had continous rain. Like an obnoxious drunk that won't leave you alone, it was there. Day after day, night after night, spitting in our faces. From drizzle to downpour and no end seemed to be coming.
Today it stopped. A bright light appeared. If memory serves, we call it the sun. It was like being re-introduced to a friend you have not seen for so long, that you have to learn about them all over again.
I took my bike out for a spin as I have been lazy and inactive lately. I rode down to Fish Creek Park as it is my favorite getaway and I only have to peddle my ass for 10 minutes to get there.
Once on the wooded trails, peddaling no longer seems a chore. When I am on the paved streets with asshole minivans, yuppies with over sized SUVs and souped up Hondas (with their too loud stereos) I find self propulsion to be as much fun as doing my taxes....which I refuse to do until those lying, thieving bastards get voted out (but thats another story).
I arrived at the edge of Fish Creek Park and was not prepared for what lay before me.
For those of you not from Calgary, Fish Creek is a gem of wilderness tucked within the city limits on the south side. It stretches for many kilometers and has over 100 km of trails (from paved to full extreme off-road) within its boudaries. There is wildlife, forest, peace, solitude and a nice little creek that you can ride right through in drier months. It is one of the largest parks within a city's limits in North America and the ONLY provincial park in any city in Canada.
Upon arriving I was both awestruck at the power of nature and pissed off with the mess that was there to greet me.

The creek had turned to a raging river and was covering much of the trails. In fact, from my side I could not even get into the park as the wild water was blocking any access.
This was the first day of sun and a chance for Alberta to dry itself off. Like a soggy dog that has been in the water, we shake ourselves off knowing our 4 year drought is over. Mother Nature your nickname is payback cuz like payback, you're a bitch.

I had heard of the flood damage in other areas and felt for the people who have lost their homes, but like a disaster that is far away, you feel a little removed if it has not touched your life personally. Now it has. While my possessions are all in tact, dry and safe, my nature retreat has been violated. Over the coming days, as the water recedes, I hope the damage is not permanent. Bridges that cross over the river, the animals I enjoy seeing, the great trails that go right by the creek's edge...I hope they are all still there.
I am not trying to go for sympathy and am in no way trying to say this wash out, of my riding area, is as great a loss as those whose houses have been trashed. It took this example for me to have more empathy for the ones whose homes and lives have been ruined.
Lets hope that disaster aid comes quick for them. Lets pray that that evil dicks at the insurance companies can pay for some of the losses....they usually weasel out of doing what they should do....insure things and pay up.
If there are any flood aid shows, I will be glad to lend my talent to help raise funds. I did it in 97 when the Red River went crazy in Mantoba. I will do it again.
Lets hope the rains stay away until the earth can drink this up. It is times like this that bring people together, to help a stranger as though they were family. Remember, we are but little pests on this planet. Nature can swat us off at anytime. We need each other to survive.