As a child, curiosity drew me to all kinds of unexpected discoveries. My sister and I marvelled at the textures of slime, feather, shell, and plant. Wonder seeped into just about every facet of our lives—beach walks, forest trails, wildflower meadows, corn fields—finding all manner of “wee beasties,” unimaginable patterns, and colours.
It’s a perspective that I happily continue to lead with today—intrigued, always observing. It’s been a delight to realize that so many of our region’s residents, writers, and entrepreneurs maintain their childlike curiosity. We wouldn’t have a magazine without them!
Perhaps, in part, it’s the Strathcona region itself that makes it easy to conjure this outlook. A place filled with so many “hidden gems,” ancient remnants, natural treasures, and individuals living in the outer edges with astonishing stories to tell …
In addition to material objects and otherworldly places, when we set out, we might unexpectedly find something less tangible, but all the more meaningful. It could be a lasting connection to a new person we come to in our pursuit of knowledge. It could be a place to call home when we’d really just intended to visit. Sometimes, it’s a part of ourselves, and sometimes it’s an encounter that sets us on a new path or provides space for the most embodied version of our Self to flourish.
As you read these pages, you’ll be introduced to professional finders like researchers and guides, and also those who seek something more in their own time. I hope their stories remind you that there is so much to unearth, to be enamoured by, both at home and outside, through every stage of our lives.
