The University Farm, and a fresh crop of hybrid students
I walked today...alot…but not in the river valley. Does that count?
Spent the morning digging in my sister’s garden, and the afternoon walking home. My choice, just for something different. Two hours from Southeast Edmonton to the Strathcona area, via the University farm. I got a bit lost, or at least re-directed to a different part of the farm than was my intention. Didn’t see any cows, which was a disappointment. There’s usually one or two mooing about. Ended up in Parkallen, I think, but I’m not entirely sure. Just kept walking east. Good thing I brought my iPod.
Managed to avoid several storms, but was treated to awesome visuals for the last hour of my walk.
Not the river valley, but a walk is a walk. Shame about the cows, though…
A walk that was like a swim. That’s how I would describe it. Not that it was too hot, but the temperature varied as if I were wading through a pool. At noon, when I left, it was predominately overcast, and the air was cool. The sun peaked out occasionally, warming my skin, but the heat didn’t really kick in until the second hour of my walk. And then it got wet. Humid.
In the deeper parts of the ravine, it was like wearing a sweaty handshake.Sometimes…humidity feels really good, like being part of the air itself; no separation between skin and the heat radiating all around. Other times, it feels like goo. Sticky, glompy, goo. But not today. And the last ten minutes of my walk, the sun slipped behind a cloud and a cool breeze dried up the parts of me that had melted.
On holidays again this week. Extended walks in the river valley, and hopefully some different paths to explore. A ‘staycation’, but by choice. I’m nothing if not self-amusing, especially in a pair of running shoes. I just wish the worms would f-off once and for all. They’ve lingered far too long this year, and even today I was dodging the little blighters in a previously uninfested part of the ravine. To a certain extent, it limits where I can walk, although there’s so much river valley, it’s not really an issue. Just an annoyance. And occasionally…an embarrassment, depending on my reaction.
Walked for two hours between north and south Mill Creek. There are many monkey paths calling to me from the main trails, so I’ve been taking little side-trips down river banks and up deeply foliated hills, which more often than not, lead to a street or a staircase. Occasionally, an entirely new trail is discovered. I’m like the David Thompson of the south Edmonton river valley trail system in that respect, but thus far, I’ve not been offered any naming rights to these areas. Therefore, until further notice, the trail I ‘discovered’ today shall be known as, ‘that path near the third slope with the two rocks lying next to a tree with that thing growing out of the side of it.‘ Boy, it was really something.
I had intended to read most of the day, but when the sun came out about half an hour ago, I figured a walk would clear the cobwebs better than another cup of coffee. I changed into my gear, and then, everything got awfully dark. And then…the skies opened. OK, OK, I get it. No walk today. Even if the sun comes out again, which it probably will, this day is just too moody to predict. And now it’s thundering.
However, just thought I’d mention that I saw a Western Tanager yesterday. It popped out of the canopy for a few seconds, and then disappeared. It was so colourful and lovely, I thought it was an escaped tropical bird, but no, it’s a local…at least in the late spring, early summer. It’s my very first Tanager.
Oh sun…you can’t fool me as you drizzle your gold upon my flowers. I am not, repeat NOT going for a walk! But man, it sure looks pretty out there with the illuminated trees silhouetted against an incredibly dark sky. Maybe I’ll just leave my gear on for awhile…
A few years ago, in a short piece for See Magazine, I compared my annual confrontation with the worm to the movie Dune:
“In late May, early June, when I’m walking through Rossdale, I think of Jurgen Prochnow as Duke Leto Atreides, scanning the sand dunes for killer worms and saying, “Worm-sign! Is that worm-sign?” Of course, he’s German so it’s more like “verm-zein” but each year in late spring I ask the same thing. It starts with one or two tiny green worms hanging from the trees canopying the otherwise beautiful path that runs along the North Saskatchewan River toward the Low Level Bridge. And once there is verm-zein…only a Level-5 contamination suit with helmet could get me to walk through there.”
I have alluded to the worms that are not worms but caterpillars in previous blog posts, but I have not elaborated on what they truly are, and the degree to which they disrupt my life and the lives of perfectly healthy trees in the river valley in June and July. I know them as worms, but they are in fact Larger Boxelder Leafroller Caterpillars. I have also heard them called Ash-leaf Cone Caterpillars. Whatever their true name, they are green, they hang from silk threads attached to trees in the river valley and they fill me with a fear normally reserved for actual threats to my life, like fire and calculus.
In a recent Edmonton Journal article, it was suggested that the five-year cycle of the leafroller caterpillar is nearing its end. However, the authority quoted in the article stated that the caterpillars appeared in the Rossdale area in 2005. I say unequivocally that the green devil was present earlier than this…at least as far back as 2003, although I do agree the infestation started (or was most noticeable) in the Rossdale area. I have been keeping a walking journal since 1996, and there is no mention of worms prior to 2003.
When I left for my walk around 1:30, it was overcast and cool. And then about 45 minutes in, the sun came out and the skies cleared. It always surprises me how different a day can feel depending on what the sky is doing. Even within the same hour. As much as I like a cloudy day for the opportunities it affords, such as reading and brooding, a blue sky feels like some sort of undeserved grace.
A road-side fruit stand
I was hoping to get a shot of the ferris wheel in Louise McKinney, but alas, the circus had left town, with only a few scattered strawberries to collect. Michael certainly has the setup and deconstruction of his Amusements down to an art. Wonder where he’ll amuse himself next?
The Turtle Effigy rock labyrinth is still on display at the top of the hill. As mentioned, it’s part of The Works, and therefore temporary, but I kind of hope it stays. I’m getting increasingly fond of the rocky formation. It’s actually a mash-up of aboriginal and celtic mythology, and I think it is a lovely addition to the park, giant strawberries notwithstanding.
Well, I’ll be damned. Michael found a place for his Amusements! When I crossed Cloverdale Bridge today, I was greeted by the sight of a ferris wheel at Louise McKinney Park. A ferris fu*&ing wheel! Also, a mini version of the Scrambler (always my favourite ride), and all the usual accoutrements of a carnival: games of chance, bags of blue and pink cotton candy, and people wearing spandex (that shouldn’t.) On the upper tier of the park, there were performers on the stage. Judging by the flowers and dangling ribbons, I’d say some sort of Slavic deal. There were tents as well, the first one offering free Canada Day flags and pins. I pinned a small flag to my black tank top, feeling instantly patriotic. Unfortunately, I was almost the only one on the trails today not sporting a red piece of clothing. I don’t own a red piece of clothing. At least, not one that isn’t a sweater which I only wear on or near Christmas. Red is not my colour, but that doesn’t excuse the lack of patriotic clothing in my drawers. It was therefore fortuitous that I should stumble across a stand giving away Canadian flag pins on Canada Day, in a park which usually is stand-free, and almost always ferris wheel free.
The previous 90 minutes of my walk through Mill Creek were uneventful in comparison to Louise McKinney Park. I’m surprised it can accommodate such a thing as a small carnival, but that park is nothing if not absorbent to the whims of City Hall. At least the carnival is temporary. The LRT route is not. However, it’s Canada Day, and the clowns are out in full force!
