It’s a beautiful blue sky 15C afternoon so Tom and I did the most logical thing – we walked to Hawrelak to officially welcome back the geese. There was a lot of them. We couldn’t get too close, either because the ground was too wet or the geese were too angry.
Two of a thousand returning geeseThat’s close enough…
March has been incredibly warm, so we’ve lost most of the snow and the river is slowly melting. The gorgeous patterns of the thin covering of river ice cover changes daily.
Doesn’t really capture the majesty of hundreds of squawking geese
It was a great walk, but long and warm. I had my coat tied around my waist and there were lots of pebbles in my running shoes. Well worth it though to see all the geese. They always seem to come back too early, but this year it seems like we’re getting early spring.
Crazy beautiful walk with Sharon and Stella in Whitemud Ravine (south) starting at the Westbrook trail head. As per usual, Stella wouldn’t pose, but also as per usual, affable company.
You can’t make me look at you
With lots of fairly steep ice-covered hills, spikes are absolutely necessary, at least for the near future. Even with them, it was a bit iffy, but I stayed upright. Always a good thing.
Even walking from one end of the trail to the other (ending at Rainbow Valley Road) it’s not quite 10,000 steps but they are quality steps, and the rest were easily made up just walking around the grocery store.
Solo walk in MacKinnon Ravine. I wanted to see what the ratio was between ice and pavement. It’s about 90% pavement and 10% ice. For the ice part up the hill, I’m glad I brought my spikes.
Along River Road
I started along Victoria Promenade, and then down into the golf course. Most of the road was ice free, as was the entirety of River Road up until the last part of MacKinnon Ravine. Lots of deep puddles. Since I had my spikes on (I put them on half way) I walked along the adjacent path in the trees. A short but very pleasant diversion of the main trail.
The sky was amazing! Really unusual, streaky clouds. A great day for a walk.
More sky!The adjacent south trail along MacKinnon RavineThe fleeting display of spectacular cloudage now dissipated
For some reason, watching the Oilers lose is making my mind wander to this afternoon’s very pleasant walk with Tom throughout Glenora and Ravine Drive. Wearing my spring jacket, but my feet are really hurting in boots and micro-spikes. Another few days of this warm weather and I’ll be back in my running shoes.
Another pleasant, melty walk through the Museum grounds to Tom’s and then over to Numchok Wilai for some Thai take out. For a couple of vegetarians, their Massaman Beef is out of this &$!?# world!
Walked to an absolutely packed Hawrelak Park for a socially distanced but affectionately close weenie roast with Janna, Grace, Colleen, Lisa, and Kate. With the exception of Lisa (Colleen’s partner) and Barb, who was not there, these are the wonderful gals I spent my birthday with in Scottsdale in 2013.
The park was absolutely packed. I’m not sure if there was an event, but I think the combination of the warm weather, blue skies, and covid lockdown drove folks to the park, and particularly the lake (for skating). I’m glad I walked down there because there wasn’t a parking spot to be found.
This was taken from a video, which I can’t seem to upload
It was fantastic to see my friends again…in person. It takes a lot of coordination to share meals with people outside your bubble these days. Lots of separate containers, disinfectant and personal utensils, so thanks to Colleen and Lisa for the major set up, including the weenies and the fire.
The last couple of times I’ve been around a wood stove or bonfire, it starts out feeling great, but then later it’s like I’ve been in the backseat of a car with two heavy smokers (you know, like every car trip of my childhood). It takes 24 hours for me to lose that slightly sick feeling. I never used to be that sensitive to smoke, but I am now. Hopefully soon we will be able to gather indoors.
