Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/118157
editor'snote IN ORDER TO RAPEL A series of waterfalls some years ago in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, I first had to master the sport of zip lining – so I could span the kilometre of orchid-strewn river gorges the falls tumble into. My introduction to this high-wire glee-riding took place at the operator's high-altitude base camp, and to reach that site I had to pilot an unruly mule straight up a mountain. Which reminds me: helmets were required attire from the get-go, a necessity resulting in gales of laughter at the initial summit when photos of my six-foot-three macho cohort lurching uphill on his mount, sandals barely clearing the scrub, were giddily revealed. In fact, many of my most memorable on-the-road moments have been of the how-to variety; perhaps because of the thrill of learning something new, combined with the wonder I still feel about any journey, no matter how near or far. That said, "educational" jaunts a little closer to home have often generated the most unexpected fun: from the secrets of prawn trapping in Nootka Sound (moutchabay.com) to how to make tea the Gong Fu Cha way in Vancouver's Chinatown (just $5 at the Chinese Tea Shop, if one avoids splurging on hand-painted tea cups (thechineseteashop. com). Of course, the many options out there certainly made it tough to whittle down the possibilities for this issue. But we finally managed it! So having hiked the Carmanah Valley in search of the "Biggest Tree in Canada," a foot-sucking race through the mud against dwindling daylight, I'm looking forward to Jim Sutherland's more leisurely approach to the subject in "How to Find a Big Tree" (page 29). Robin Esrock's car rally debut (page 26) is another glimpse into a world new to me, as is Dawn Green's Squamish take on wetlands (page 37). And there's more: in all, six how-to getaways plus a host of quick-start ideas to add more zing to your summer – and mine – beginning on page 10. Anne Rose, Editor arose@canadawide.com 8 WESTWORLD p08-09_EdNt_Mlbg.indd 8 >> SUMMER 2012 mailbag Hope on a Rope I read Westworld's "Light at the Edge of the World" with a smile (Spring 2012). My greatgrandfather, Herbert Smith, was the first lighthouse keeper at Nootka from 1911 to 1918, and my grandfather, Charlie Smith, grew up very concerned about his father staying up all night working the station. So Charlie developed a rope-and-pulley system that automated the lighthouse and enabled my great-grandfather to sleep at night. Shortly thereafter, and much to my grandfather's chagrin, the authorities came around and removed the automated system: the Nootka lighthouse needed to be manned! Thank you for the beautiful photos of the area, and best wishes to Mark Tiglmann. –Vi Taylor, Vancouver Island Numbers Game In response to Rob Howatson's "Mine Games" (Fresh Trax Interview, Spring 2012), I would like to note that automobiles, as well as the surfaces upon which they operate, are entirely dependent upon materials that have to be mined – as are the tools and equipment used to create the dyes and materials from which the interview subject's clothing are made. The alternative modes of transportation required to get close enough to kill the moose in the picture accompanying the interview (in order to acquire the hide and other parts to fashion clothing using ancient skills to create leather, etc.) is not a place any of us want to go. Lastly, I wonder where the data behind "the world's travel industry dwarfs the mining market" came from. –J.P. (Jim) Balmer, PGeo, via email Writer's Note: I agree. The oil and mining business is crucial for our survival, even though, according to some climatologists, it may also be the cause of our demise. As for the data that led to my statement that "the world's travel industry dwarfs the mining market," this comes from Wade Davis's latest book, Sacred Headwaters. On page 72 Davis notes that "the travel industry is the largest economic force in the world, generating each year $4.5 trillion in business activity. The total market capitalization of all mining companies in existence is some $962 billion." I recently learned that the $4.5 trillion figure came from Keith Bellows, editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler. Perhaps a more accurate stat is found in the United Nations World Tourism Organization Highlights 2011: "In 2010, international tourism receipts are estimated to have reached US$919 billion worldwide." If that's the case, then mining is definitely bigger than travel. . . . Harder They Fall Following up on Ian MacNeil's "Clock in, Rev up, Roll Out" column (Spring 2012), I'd like to address the common misconception that large vehicles are safer than small vehicles. Various studies have been conducted on U.S. NHTSA data (such as 2002's "An Analysis of Traffic Deaths by Vehicle Type and Model," University of Michigan), and they clearly show that mid-sized Japanese and some European cars are safer than most SUVs and pickups, while large vehicles, and particularly pickups, are more dangerous for both their occupants and other vehicles on the road. –Gordon Lacy, via email Spring Fever Kudos on a fantastic issue! The B.C.'s Wild West Coast Spring issue was both interesting and informative. Loved it. –Carla Jack, Vancouver Island Oops! There It Is The lighthouse on Westworld's Spring cover is not "north" of Tofino; it is southwest. Re: Fresh Trax' "The Sands of Time," the Pacific Rim Whale Festival is not a Tofino-only event. It is planned by the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet along with local First Nations, and hosted by Ucluelet, Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. To comment: Email us at westworld@bcaa.com or arose@canadawide.com. Or, write us at Westworld Letters, BCAA, 4567 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 4T1 (fax: 604-268-5565). Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Jeremy Koreski/All Canada Photos 4/26/12 11:18:13 AM