Editor:
To the grumpy old man who needs to chill out:
Let’s be honest. Driving up Dakota Ridge can be a stressful and difficult task at times. Sunday was not one of those days (clear skies, no fresh snow, and barely any ice until the last kilometre), until I reached the parking lot. I was getting my five-year-old ready for Jackrabbits cross-country ski class around 9 a.m. An older gentleman (who clearly didn’t have kids) came up to me and started telling me I was driving too slowly up to the hill, and that with my slow driving skills, I should be pulling over every time I see a car in my rearview mirror.
Normally I might not have much issue with his point, as it could have been a good one if the road conditions were bad. Except Sunday I was in no way holding up any line of cars making their way to the hill. After his very impolite driving skills lecture, I asked a few drivers, who had been directly behind me, if they felt the same way. Was his rant warranted? No, they disagreed with him. I had in fact been doing a normal speed (between 30-40km/h) and they did not feel his frustrations.
For a frustrated driver who claimed he drives up the ridge “more than most people,” I might make a suggestion. Maybe avoid a Sunday morning between 9 and 11 from January to early March. Those of us who have young children are trying to teach our kids a new sport. Get outside, enjoy nature, and hopefully avoid the stresses of everyday life. I don’t need your attitude on a Sunday morning. I don’t need my kid asking me why such an angry man is asking us to drive differently.
If you’re in such a hurry to get your skis on, you should have left the house earlier. Every Sunday morning my kid’s ski class starts at 10 a.m., same as every other Nordic ski class. So you’d better get used to “a lineup” of cars arriving at that time. Or better yet, come on any other day of the week so we don’t have to have you ruining our Sunday mornings.
Dan Morrison, Gibsons
