Back in spectacular and currently monotone Mill Creek Ravine. Gorgeous in any season, even the Brown. And like Whitemud, mostly ice-free but muddier. I walked from downtown south to the trestle bridge (on the paved path for a change), and then back to downtown via the upper trail. More than two hours, and by the time it was over, I was tired and thirsty so I splurged on an Orange Julius.

The colours in Mill Creek are particularly muted, so photographs don’t really do it justice, nor is there any way to capture the warm, piney smells, which always remind me of Jasper.

All the trails were open in spite of some flooding a few weeks ago. Lots of dogs and their people out enjoying the summer temperatures. I really needed Mill Creek today. I knew I would feel better after a walk in my ‘own’ woods, and I was right.

Followed by butterflies on the way home (an orange one and a brown one). Even spotted some early Glovewood trees, always a hopeful sign of spring. However, no love-sick frog songs at the frog bog.

11:55 to 2:25/18C