Funny how my attitude toward snow has changed since I bought a car. I love the snow, but now…it’s complicated. My little Mazda sits outside in the cold, and I’m still scraping off the 10 cm of rain/ice/snow that fell on Saturday. Also, I’m thinking about driving on snowy roads more than walking on them, which is a huge change, and not necessarily for the better. I want stay focused on my feet and what they can do for me, not my wheels (although it’s pretty damn nice to have a car.)

I should have walked yesterday, but the gloom kept me inside. Today, so beautiful and sparkling! I couldn’t resist. The dog and I walked for 20 minutes just before noon, which is way too short. Maggie’s feet were bothered by the salt, so we went around the neighbourhood in the opposite direction, rather than take the salted sidewalk route into Whitemud. Once my car is de-iced, I’ll drive both of us to a trail. No point in troubling our paws on sidewalks when we could be prancing in the snowy woods.

Did I mention that this time last week I was sitting by a pool in 30C weather? It’s been a discombobulating week. The sun, however, is helping to bobulate my still vacationing brain cells…

-4C/12:30PM

First time over the Fort Edmonton Footbridge yesterday, and it is very nice indeed. In fact, the entire area is lovely. Edmonton’s trail system never fails to impress, or surprise. I’ve walked along the Fort Edmonton trail (at the end of Whitemud) many times before, but never made it as far as the bridge, which is a newish construction.

The beautiful trail on the north side of the bridge follows the river, and Maggie was able to take

advantage of the low banks with several very enthusiastic dips into the North Saskatchewan. The water must have been cold! One portion of the trail was completely eroded. A bit of graceless leaping and climbing to get to the other side (once we got past the orange caution fence) and then back again. Gorgeous fall day.

16C/11:30AM

Drove over this morning to Molly’s Mill Creek vet for a refill of her many pills, and then into the woods for an hour. As mentioned a few posts ago, curiously…Mill Creek is a week or two ahead of Whitemud in its’ progression though autumn. There are virtually no leaves left on the trees. Some bushes are still red, yellow and green, but the aspens are bereft of colour. It’s quite beautiful, actually. I love the muted tones, especially on an overcast, windy morning. Very atmospheric and Halloweeny.

6C/10:30AM

Last part of my walk in Whitemud today, I came across a Pileated Woodpecker. Like that time in Mill Creek ten years ago (or so), this guy was oblivious to me, and calmly went about his business thumping and chipping away at a tree as I photographed. Sadly, I mean, tragically, I didn’t bring my camera, just my iPhone, which is a piss poor alternative for moments like this, especially on a sunny day. Even though he was only a few feet away from me, I couldn’t actually see what I was photographing. Eventually I stopped, and observed. The woods are beautiful, especially the often heard but rarely sighted pileated woodpecker. Taking a great photograph is important, but it’s more important to be still, and observe with my eye what is in front of me. When I was ready, I thanked him, and continued on my walk.

3C/10:30AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

12C Whitemud Creek/2:30 PM

Wasn’t going to take photos today, but I couldn’t help myself. I drove Maggie and I to the trail at the end of Westbrook, and enjoyed a relatively short, but sensually spectacular walk in the woods, while the trees rained leaves down upon us. So beautiful.

9C/2:30PM