Another incredible day in the city that favours blue skies over rain. At least, since the beginning of Spring (other than a few hail and snow storms). Had an early morning appointment at the university, so after it was finished around 10:00, I slid over to downtown via the train, and then walked a route I haven’t walked for more than a year. Maybe two years.

After descending from the Convention Centre, I walked across the footbridge, and then up the trail that runs adjacent to 98th Avenue on the south side, and the river on the north. This is a trail I love, especially in mid to late May when the procession of fruit trees is in full pink bloom. It’s like paradise this time of year. There is a main paved trail, currently blossom-strewn, and a monkey trail just above the shore of the river. Either is great, but for most of the walk, I chose the paved trail because right now, and for the next few days, it is canopied by green and pink. Also, in June the worms will arrive, so it’s a small window between the apple blossoms and those god-awful green caterpillars that hang from the trees. I seem to have picked the perfect day. Blue sky, and a slight breeze wafting pink petals across my path.

At the top of 98th, I followed the trail that loops around the hill toward McNally High School, with my usual stop to enjoy the spectacular, unobstructed view of the river valley and downtown, and then along the Riverside Golf Club sidewalk into Riverdale. Riverdale is a beautiful, retro community, very much like my beloved Mill Creek but with wider streets and fewer amenities (although it now has a coffee shop, The Little Brick). It always seems so peaceful and neighbourly down there. Lots of new construction. The old houses are being torn down or rebuilt, but it still has a kind of 1950’s feel about it.

By the time I was back in Louise McKinney Park, I once again marveled at how deep emerald green the river has turned, and then realized how tired, hungry, hot and thirsty I’d become. A perfect walk.

10:30 to noonish/23C