The requisite daily update: From tenderfoot to dude:
Day 8 of the Moustache Project.
Today at the Jolly Ranch, the dude and dudeen entertained four visitors: Josie, Leila, Tiffany, and Eileen. After more than a week of self-referential conversations and private jokes, it was a pleasure to greet friends from “the outside world.”
After a lunch scavenged from the Blairmore Extra Foods (including the last–and only–wheel of brie in the village), we headed to the Hillcrest Mine for an underground tour. At the terminus of the route, the temperature was 1 degree Celsius, and the fleecy poncho provided by the guide did little to keep this dude warm. Thankfully, the moustache is coming in nicely, providing warmth to the region encircling my gob.
After the tour, we were all in need of an afternoon nap. Unlike the lazy miners in the picture below, we toughed it up and headed to the Cinnamon Bear cafe for pastries as big as a football player’s fist.
Detail of mural at Hillcrest Mine.
On the way, we stopped by the Frank Liquor Store where our visitors took advantage of the reasonable prices. I don’t know how or why they offer such cost savings, but I was very tempted by this item:
Satiated and caffeinated, Nifty Notions was the next stop on the tour. The dudeen and I had a chance encounter with the proprietors of this shop, who showed us a vintage portfolio of wildlife prints. We wanted to share these gems with our guests, but alas, the owners closed up early. Irregular and unpredictable hours are all too common in Blairmore. Instead, we crossed the street to visit a pop-up BC produce stand, purchasing large quantities of fresh fruit, vegetables and staples to replenish the stock generously donated by Beany upon our departure.
It was disappointing to send our visitors on their way, but we hope that others will come for a private tour of Our Blairmore. Lunch and laughs are on us!
