That was yesterday. The snow arrived on Wednesday. A lot of it. Tons of snow. Also, signs the close-by powerline route into Whitemud Ravine was open again, but I wasn’t able to check this until Friday. Took an extra long weekend. Maggie and I plowed through the duvet of snow layering the city and discovered that yes, after almost five months, the trail was open again! I swear, when that dog saw that the hill was open, she started running. I ran too, as much as possible. We ran and slid our way down the hill and over the bridge. It was completely quiet, except for Whitemud Creek, which was inexplicably still flowing black and cold beneath puff balls of snow. Thick snow around the creek. There is no trail, but we’ll make one.

It is spectacularly beautiful outside, as if Christmas is right around the corner. Other than the driving, it would be impossible not to love winter on a day like yesterday and today, especially with the sun out.

-12C/3:05pm

My favourite orb is back after a long absence. There’s been shocks of sunlight here and there, but not a bright, blue-sky day in weeks. And so lovely against the 10 cm of snow. Maggie and I went for an hour plus walk in Whitemud Ravine. Beautiful in every way. The trees and bushes were sparkling with water droplets. The shadows on the snow were purple and blue. The air was mild. Maggie was giddy with excitement. She loves the snow. I wore my cramp-ons because of the ice, which was not so bad on the trails, but treacherous on the north-facing sidewalks. Those things…man…I know I’ve said this before, but they are so awesome. They remind me of that skit by Bill Cosby where he takes karate lessons and is so over-confident in his newly acquired skills, he walks down a back alley at night with five dollar bills hanging out of his pocket. I feel the same way about cramp-ons. They really cramp on.

After all this snow, I suppose I should change the autumn banner on my blog. I suspect that winter is here to stay, in spite of the three days of warm weather this week. After that, into the tanker again. Still, there is nothing more beautiful than a sunny, snowy day.

12:30PM/2C

November 1st. It rained this morning, even though the temperature was -7C. Now it’s snowing, and another 5-10 cm are expected by the end of the day. It’s been gloomy and cold for almost two weeks. Uh…I guess winter is here.

11:51AM/-5C

I won’t lie. I could have gone for a long walk. Yesterday too, and last week. But it’s been cold. So cold. OK, I’ve wimped out, but I have taken the dog for a few walks here and there, just not anything that interesting. Today it was nice, and even a little pretty with the snow, but like every day in the last ten days, there was no sun. I’ll take the cold and the snow, but I need blue skies and sun. Opening up the power-line route into Whitemud Creek would help too.

9:18/-2C

Another beautiful day in the neighbourhood. Everywhere of course, but especially Mill Creek Ravine. Walked after work through the ravine, and then over to Louise McKinney Park and Canada Place to the LRT. Lots of sunshine to begin with, and for most of my walk, but 25 minutes on the train to Century Park and the temperature dropped by 10 degrees, or so it felt. I was warmed by the site of 5,000 screaming t’weens on the way to the Bieber concert. Lots of pink placards with glitter letters proclaiming sweet, sweet love for the Beebs. I was ever so happy to get onto the t’ween-free bus.

6:20PM/15C

A lovely day yesterday after a week of rain, snow, and temperatures bordering on goodgoditscold. The powerline route into Whitemud Ravine is still closed (three months and counting…), and so we took the dog to the south of the powerline into the neighbourhood where every house has a three-car garage. Seriously, there should be an environmental tax on these things. Anyway, the neighbourhood has a path that runs parallel to the ravine, with various trails leading into the woods. Absolutely beautiful, and the paths are leaf strewn and over-grown…just a step above a monkey trail. The fallen poplar leaves under the warmish sun smelled unbelievably good. Maggie was once again, full of puppy energy racing through the rose bushes; an energy she now pays for in the evening, and sometimes into the next day. Poor old thing, not that I’m much better these days. The view from the ravine trails was spectacular, especially when the sun was out. In every possible way, a perfect Autumn walk.

2:00PM/15C (yesterday)