Category Archives: Observations

Oh Hello Mill Creek

August 9, 2020

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.

*Mill Creek Bridge (my first, but also one of many)*

*For August, that’s actually a lot of water in the creek*

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.

*The new LRT bridge (former Cloverdale Footbridge)*

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!

Heat, Thy Name is Humidity

August 3, 2020

*I give you, the creeping bell flower. I thought it was a bluebell.*

Holy boob sweat! A gorgeous but very humid walk just after a brief rain storm this morning and before the next, apparently bigger storm this afternoon.

Still can’t bring myself to leave as early as Tom (5:30 am). Just after 11 am, the temperature was about 22C but with the mugginess it seemed warmer, with the exception of an occasional ‘delicious’ breeze, to quote Marilyn Monroe.

Spotted several spotted Ladybug pupae (apparently) on the creeping bellflowers, which are (apparently) and invasive (but very pretty) wildflower species.

Overall just under two hours, 12,200 steps. Down the Victoria Park Road to River Road and then (eventually) up the super humid hill in MacKinnon Ravine. I walked over to 107 Ave so that I could take a longer, shadier route to the grocery store (City Market in Oliver Square), where once again I was disappointed by their produce.

*Not a ladybug but a ladybug pupae (according to Sharon)*

In spite of the humidity, I’m glad that the heat wave has broken, at least for today.

Beating the Heat

August 1, 2020

*A perfect day (at least in the morning) in MacKinnon Ravine*

Happy August! Early(ish) walk this morning, although not as early as Tom who left at 5:50 am. I tried, but needed another hour of sleep (and breakfast) so I left around 8:30 am.

I picked a now familiar walk down the stairs from Victoria promenade but this time I went all the way down to Victoria golf course, turned right on River Road and into MacKinnon Ravine.

*One of the many little monkey trails in MacKinnon Ravine*

It was already warm in the sun, but I stuck to the shade where possible. Thankfully the short, steep hill up to MacKinnon bridge was still entirely in shade. Two guys ahead of me were wearing large backpacks. I said hi but didn’t stop to ask if they were in training, or traveling (unlikely) or what they were up to with such a heavy load on a hot day. I’m glad to see that people on the trails are still friendly in spite of the distancing protocols.

*The North Saskatchewan River from Glenora*

Once across the bridge, I wound my way around Ravine Drive and Glenora. Close to the always magnificent Graenon heritage house, I spotted a bonus wasp nest. I got as close as I could to take a photo but it was absolutely buzzing with life so I kept my distance.

I decided to walk around the museum on the way home to bump up my steps, and then a sweaty walk the rest of the way home.

In total, about an hour and a half, 11,500+ steps. It was around 18C at 8:30 when I left. It’s now 22C on the way to 30C. Ugh. I will be happy to see the end of this heat wave.

Mini-Holiday, Maximum Heat

July 30, 2020

*On the way to Terwillegar via the Fort Edmonton Footbridge*

We’re in the middle of a gross heat wave. I mean, some like it hot…I like it moderate. Moderately cold, and moderately hot. About -5C in the winter, and 21C in the summer. With sun and blue sky.

June was very wet, as was most of July, but this last week the temperatures have hovered near 30C with unusually high levels of humidity. Ugh.

Today, the first day of a mini five-day holiday, Sharon, Stella and I visited the newish Terwillegar bridge via Fort Edmonton, our starting point (just off Fox Drive). Once we hit the footbridge we went left (instead of my usual right) to the river so Stella could have a swim, and then on to Terwillegar.

*Sandbar below the Fort Edmonton Footbridge*

We left at 9:00 am, but it was already warm and humid. The walk itself was brilliant. The sand bar where Stella had a swim in the river was surprisingly large considering the amount of rain we had prior to the heatwave. She had a blast. Wish I could have joined her.

*Gorgeous views on both sides of the trail to Terwillegar*

The view on either side of the trail leading to the Terwillegar footbridge was spectacular. I’ve said this a thousand times, but we are so lucky to have all these trails and green space in the middle of the city.

The walk was about two hours in total, give or take many stops to let Stella play in the water and check her peemail. Will definitely go on this walk again…and again.

*Terwillegar Footbridge view of the river*

Sunday Marathon

July 19, 2020

That was some walk with Tom today. A few hundred steps short of 20,000, with a final uphill ‘sprint’ to Glenora. Last half hour my feet were sore, mostly because I need new running shoes. Overcast and very, very humid but also caterpillar-free!! The fuck-you worms are gone and we have reclaimed the university river valley and Rossdale area!

We walked from his place in Glenora, down the hill into MacKinnon Ravine, went east down river road to the Kinsmen and then into Rossdale. Back the same way. It was definitely a marathon!

About two and a half hours 9:30 am to noon. 18C

A Return to Whitemud Ravine with Stella

July 18, 2020

*Whitemud Ravine. It was actually sunnier than the clouds would suggest.*

It’s hard to believe I haven’t walked in Whitemud Ravine since the winter. I’m not even sure I walked there in the winter! I probably did. I can account for February and March (Scottsdale and then the injury) and April/early May (COVID-19 shutdown) but since mid-May, I’ve really had no excuse. In fact, my walking in the last month or so has really sucked. We’ve had lots of rain, and I’ve been busy at work (including working some weekends) but if walking is not a priority, it’s not going to happen. And it hasn’t been a priority, for some reason. When I have walked it’s been over to Tom’s or with Tom, in and around Glenora. Great walks, but not the woods.

It’s so clear that I feel most at home, most like myself, walking in the ravines and the river valley. There’s just something about the woods. I felt immediately better once Stella and I walked down into that ravine via Westbrook. It was also wonderful to be with her, and to be surrounded by green. Sharon and Vic are away on holidays to BC, so even though Kate walks her, she doesn’t take her into the woods. Stella loves it. Whenever I come over, she noses the door of my car. She knows.

Whitemud Ravine is incredibly lush right now. We’ve had so much rain, everything is moist, overgrown and ridiculously green. This is also my first unpaved trail walk since the injury. Crazy that I haven’t done this yet, but I was worried about tripping on a tree root and hyper-extending my leg again. It was totally fine. I didn’t feel any strain. Stella goes up hills very slowly now, but that’s OK.

One thing that was different was the little construction project about half way through is now completed. Last year, they took out the rickety boardwalk bridge and the very rickety wooden stairs. Somehow, in a feat of wizardry, they put in a bridge that doesn’t seem to have an incline, but still ends up at the top of the hill, next to the little lookout that is always full of seed for birds, squirrels and chipmunks.

Stella and I made it to Rainbow Valley Road and back. It took a little more than an hour, but surprisingly, it only adds up to 7,600 steps. The good thing is that it’s up and down, so a good, occasionally strenuous walk. Stella really, really wanted to go into the creek, but it’s too high and fast right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks. I sprayed her with the hose when we got back.

*Next best thing to jumping in the creek…*

The walk was really rejuvenating. I’m having a hard time taking care of myself these days. Lots of anxiety, stress, poor sleeping. The ironic thing is that if I was walking more, I probably wouldn’t be experiencing those things, or at least not to the same degree. Not only does walking decrease stress and anxiety, it can also prevent it. At least in my experience. The world is kind of a dumpster fire at the moment, so the least I can I do is take myself for a daily walk. It worked for 20+ years. No reason why it couldn’t work again.

70 minutes, about 20C

Donna's River Valley

A Walker's Observations