I’m writing this a couple of weeks after the walk, so can’t really remember specifics from the walk, other than this leaf, and it was a Saturday of a long weekend. Clearly autumn is starting to exert itself. 14,021 steps, apparently.
Surprise! Another gorgeous after-work walk. 14,488 steps. 24C AND it’s a long weekend!! This will mostly be a photo post. It’s been a long week, and it’s always so rejuvenating to head out after work into the river valley, which is still sporting so much colour.
Met a little friend on my after-work walk to Tom’s – a Spotted Tussock Caterpillar, also known as a Woolly Bear Caterpillar also known as a Tufted Teddy Bear Caterpillar! They are not uncommon, but it’s always nice to see one. They look like they would have nice personalities.
My camera, if I use the wide angle setting, can give really interesting effects, but it also distorts on the edge. Trying to get as much green in my photos as possible as we head into Fall. Once again it was windy but it got up to 21C. 11,773 steps.
We’ve had some coolish temperatures in the last couple of days and a few, yellow leaves are blowing around on the ground. I am not looking forward to Autumn. It’s beautiful, and in the thick of it, I love it, but it’s always too soon. Always. We never get a full August without some hint of autumn in the canopy. And once it starts, it’s so quick. As I have said before, September (along with May) is the most changeable month. It starts out summery, and by the end, it is almost past-peak fall.
The day started off very grey and cold, but by the afternoon the sun was shining. I had planned on making some pies with a huge bag of Tom’s apples, but the draw of the summer afternoon was too strong.
It was very cheering to walk into the river valley via the Victoria Golf Course and be surrounded by deep, deep green and full, swaying foliage. There were lots of golfers and some physically distant activity happening on the grounds, with the sound of laughter wafting through the trees. It was all so…normal. Kind of a gift.
Once I was past the golf course, I walked along river road and then up into Glenora via the paved trail. It really felt like summer. I then met up with Tom and we walked back into Oliver via the museum, now a favourite route. I ended up with about 15,000 steps. The temperature never got above 18C, but that was OK. The good news? It’s still summer.
Had lots to do today, but it was such a sunny, beautiful Sunday I had to find the time for a brief walk (about 50 minutes) in Mill Creek Ravine.
First, I went to Canadian Tire to pick up a table for my work computer and two monitors that I finally brought home. I now have a proper office in my spare room, since I expect to be working remotely at least until January. Both my dining room table (my temporary desk) and my mac laptop (my small, elderly computer) have breathed a sigh of relief.
Mill Creek was, of course, magnificent. I walked on the paved path to the south edge along 72nd to see if the trail into the ravine had been re-opened (it’s been closed since last year), but they still haven’t repaired the bridge. Not sure what’s wrong, probably erosion. I could have made my way down the makeshift path in the woods nearby, but I’m still not 100% confident about my hamstring. If I should re-injure it in any of the myriad ways I could walking down a steep, rooty hill, who knows what damage I would do? So I turned back and walked down into the Mill Creek Pool area, crossing the bridge and into the lower, non-paved trail. I still got a good share of bridges and creek views walking back north.
Later that afternoon, Tom and I went over to Sharon and Vic’s for a backyard barbeque. I know garden flowers are not the usual type of photo I post here, but they are so beautiful, why not?
Can’t remember the temperature, but it was about 22C.
Flowers….
The heat has broken, or is that the morning has broken? In either case, we’ve had some cooler weather as of Friday (today is Sunday) so thank god for that. This time of year, cool weather is double-edged because it can mean the approach of autumn, but right now it’s likely a short break. I see the heat returns next week.
Tom is no longer getting up at the crack of dawn to go for a walk to beat the heat, so we agreed to leave at 8:30 this morning. Much more civilized. It was only 13C, but the sky was cloudless, and the sun, while not hot, was very present. So was the wind. Holy schnarkies, the wind!
The walk was magnificent. We started from Oliver and ended up in Mill Creek Ravine via Skunk Hollow. It’s been awhile. A long while. I’ve said this a thousand times before, but Mill Creek is so resonant. Something cool happened every step of the way at some point during my 25 year + journey as a river valley and ravine walker, especially in my almost daily commutes along this very route. Like the frog bog, and of course, we stopped to pay our respects to Godzilla.
Once we got past the northern tip of the ravine, I wasn’t sure where to go. The Muttart area is very much under construction because of the LRT, although it looks like there is a new bridge across Connor’s Hill. I chose not to go that way and instead we walked on the paved trail and then across to the Old Timer’s Cabin. The trail behind there is blocked for (I hope) repairs, and so we walked down the back alley, eventually rejoining the trail and then making our way to the Low Level Bridge and across to Rossdale.
While on the bridge, I had a good look at the new LRT bridge at Louise McKinney. It almost spans the entire river now. Missing in action? The River Queen, which I understand is docked somewhere for repairs.
We were gone for almost three hours (19,202 steps), Tom even longer since he left from his place. This is my limit, I think. Although I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, I didn’t feel gassed although my feet were sore. Time to get some new running shoes. I am amazed at Tom’s stamina.
It was a very enjoyable walk and very doable from my place, if I have the time. I can also drive over to Mill Creek, of course. I used to do that all the time, and then Tom and I would end it with a stop at Route 99 for some tuna melts and fantastic fries. It’s open, but we’re a little leery about sit-in service at restaurants. Stupid Covid.
At 13C this morning, it was a refreshing reprieve from the heat, but now, a few hours later, it’s still very windy, very sunny and about 21C. Except for the wind, a perfect day!
