Ladies and gentlemen, may I present-Whitemud Creek Ravine South. I’ve never ventured this way before, and it’s stunning. The area has been bequeathed by the McTaggart family, which means no development, even though the ravine is surrounded by McMansions. It’s a real treasure, and my absolute favourite kind of trail…unpaved, ungravelled, steep, winding paths, tree-roots, and unbelievably beautiful views. Here’s some pics:

This was the most beautiful part of the trail. The heavily vegetated water is no longer part of Whitemud Creek. As I learned from my nature-expert sister, this phenomenon is called an Oxbow, and it occurs when a bend in the river has straightened over time, cutting off the curved end from the flow of the creek. It’s a pond, basically, but a big one, and very, very lovely.

A great walk, on a sunny Sunday morning, early Autumn.

11:20AM/12C

You see, I’ve been so busy. That’s why I haven’t written for two weeks. I’ve had some nice walks, and last week was the first day of Autumn, but work has drained my brain juice for any sort of evening journaling (that’s why God made Honey Boo Boo.) Since the last time I wrote, the trees have turned yellow, or are about to, and the power-line Whitemud Creek entrance is still closed. The sign has changed from ‘mid-September’, to ‘whenevs’. Can’t say I’m not disappointed. That trail, looping in behind the bridge, is a great 45 minute-to-an-hour walk. Short walks are boring, and 10 year old Maggie is getting less and less inclined to go for a two-hour jaunt in the woods. The ‘power-line’ walk is a perfect compromise for the both of us. It’s pretty, and there’s a steep hike up the hill, which my heart appreciates (if not my thighs.)

Today Maggie and I took advantage of the clear skies and warmish sun and went for a 90 minute walk through Whitemud, via Westbrook. Lots of crunch underfoot and not too crowded in the woods. The creek is very low. We haven’t had rain for a month, which is odd considering the summer we’ve had, so no swims for the dog. When the creek is that low and concentrated, it’s almost half beaver. Other than reading and sending countless peemails, she seemed happy enough just to be outside, enjoying the autumnal view, as did I.

2:30PM/18C

Slipped away from work today at 2:45, took the bus to Mill Creek, and went for a walk. I was very sore from helping my sister garden yesterday, and by sore I mean in excruciating pain. Who knew picking up a few crabapples and pulling out cornflowers from dry dirt could hobble a person? So, in physical pain, and a substantial amount of mental anguish, I gave myself over to the trees to heal me body and soul. I’m not sure it worked. My muscles will mend, providing I leave the crabapples alone, but my brain feels just as frazzled. The trees, in beautiful shades of green and lemon-lime, did their best to re-bobulate my neurons, but I’m afraid they’re just too buggered. Thanks work. I’m glad I have you, but sometimes, all the time lately, you’re just too much. Time to win a million dollars. Or get another job.

4:20PM/22C

A beautiful, gorgeous day, especially after I left work. Yes, that time of year, but I only stayed for about four hours and I was outta there by 1:30…plenty of time to enjoy the day and shake off the pesky remnants of an exhausting week. Walked through the Kinsmen and then Skunk Hollow (via Queen Elizabeth Park), a route I haven’t taken for a very long time. It was its usual lovely self, in spite of my absence. The leaves are lemon-lime, and quite brittle-looking, especially the poplars. They’re the first to ‘go’ in Autumn, although technically it’s still summer.

After a jaunt through the monkey trail above the North Saskatchewan, headed into Louise McKinney Park, which was full of Saturday river valley enjoyists, like myself. As per usual on the weekend, there was a wedding party on Cloverdale Pedestrian Bridge having their photos taken against the backdrop of the city. Also, as per usual, I was taking photos in the opposite direction. The river is low again, enough to make seagull island visible. By the sound of the squawking, the seagulls were very happy about this. A few people and a dog on the island as well, which may or may not have made the seagulls happy. The river is in late summer turquoise bloom, a colour that is difficult to capture on film, but splendid to behold on a warm Saturday afternoon.

4:10PM/23C

So much for ‘artistic’ shots of the ravine. I tried to take a picture of the dappled shadows on the trail and ended up with a photograph of Maggie’s armpit and elbow, although I’m not sure if dogs actually have elbows. She probably thought I was bending down to give her a snack, and when she licked my face, I snapped a picture. Ah well. It’s not the first time she’s insinuated herself into one of my photographs.

In spite of the wind, and the noise from the wind, it was a lovely day for a long walk in Whitemud Ravine. I was not alone in these thoughts; everyone (and their dog) was out for a stroll through the woods on this last day of the long weekend, the only one with reasonable weather.

With the wind and the rain, and only one walk, I got in a lot of reading this weekend, and the dog napped like a champion. A solid way to spend a few days off, I think.

3;42PM/19C

…or at least, signs of them. Haven’t seen any actual beeves for a while, but the evidence is everywhere, whether it’s the ubiquitous gnawed stumps, or yet another dam on Whitemud Creek. No beavers in Mill Creek as far as I know, because the creek is too narrow for serious beaver action. In some places, I could dam the creek by putting one foot in the water.

A rare evening walk. Very beautiful and quiet in the woods.

8:25PM/18C