At the end of the tunnel

As many of you know I grew up in Hope. It's a beautiful little town, the emphasis on the little. It was a great place to grow up - safe, quaint, lots of outdoor activities and it was relatively central. We weren't that far from Chilliwack and Vancouver but we were far enough that we got to avoid the traffic (Hope has only 2 traffic lights), the chaos and the smog. I also got to graduate with most of the kids I watched pick their noses and eat it in Kindergarden. Hooray to the fact that most of them out grew that habit long before we donned our cap and gowns (I said Most.....)

Unfortunately those aren't the things people think of when I say that's where I grew up. To begin with if I have to hear one more time, "Do they have more than a few gas stations?" or "Oh your from Hope, did you feel Hopeless?" or "Did you move because you lost all Hope?" or finally the worst, and I do mean the worst of the worst "Hope? Isn't that where Rambo was filmed? I LOVE that movie! Did you get to meet Sylvester?"

Ugh! I HATE that movie! To be completely honest I haven't even seen the end because everytime I try I get half way through and want to scream and have to shut it off. The acting is terrible, I can't understand a word he's saying and as much as I love Hope, it's just not that cool! I wasn't even born when they filmed the movie so no I didn't meet Sly, to answer your question. And if I had...I probably wouldn't admit it anyways. As time goes on it gets a little better as today's kids don't have a clue what Rambo was or the legacy that it carries. Although Hope did host a 25th Rambo anniversary tour - HA!

I'm sure there are many of you out there reading this thinking "Hey, I like that movie." And to you I say I'm sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree.

The only thing about that movie that I love and it's not really about the movie at all is the Othello Tunnels. Parts of the movie were filmed there, and as hard as I try everytime we are there I think of that. It put Hope on the map. We went for a walk there this weekend. It was beautiful and the heritage of these tunnels is amazing. Built in 1937 they are the old Kettle Valley Railroad tunnels. When any of you come to visit in the spring let us know and we'll be sure to take you on a lovely walk and a beautiful tour. And who know's you might even get to have a gander at the place I called home.