About Me

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Troy Nahumko is an award-winning author based in Caceres, Spain. His recent work focuses on travels around the Mediterranean, from Tangier to Istanbul. As a writer and photographer he has contributed to newspapers and media such as Lonely Planet, The Globe and Mail, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Toronto Star, Counterpunch,The Irish World, The Straits Times, The Calgary Herald, Khaleej Times, DW-World, Rabble and El Pais. He also writes a bi-weekly op-ed column 'Camino a Ítaca' for the Spanish newspaper HOY. His book, Stories Left in Stone, Trails and Traces in Cáceres, Spain is published by the University of Alberta Press. As an ESL materials writer he has worked with publishers such as Macmillan and CUP.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Ogopogo Gets its Revenge


Remember when sea monsters were scary green dragon-like creatures that swallowed entire ships and saved the ravishing maiden for dessert? Times have changed. In this lake just about big enough to be a sea lives a legend that has morphed from its First Nation tale origins into a Disney-friendly smiling reptile that adorns everything from beach towels to key chains. Dig past the marketing to its origins and you'll find the eerily named Rattlesnake Island south of Kelowna. The tribes of the area give this as the birthplace of the beast that lurks beneath the water skiers and parasailers that dot this Canadian loch. Now a Provincial Park, the behemoth's lair is a peaceful place to tie up your boat and hike due to the fact that motor vehicles are not invited to the party. 2003 saw one of the worst wildfires ever in the region scorch most of the area, perhaps the perfect setting to imagine an enraged titan seeking revenge for its Mickey Mouse transformation.

#hiking #boating #loch #lake #outdoors #island #nature #getaway #kitsch #statepark #nativeamerican #story #firstnation #legend #tchotchkes #creature #beast #forestfires #seamonsters

Originally published on Trazzler

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