I should’ve written this yesterday, but my sizzling, burnt skin was too much of a distraction. The dog had a minor procedure done at the vet on Friday, and wasn’t quite up to a walk on Saturday, so I took the opportunity to head off in the middle of a hot day, something I wouldn’t normally do with a fur-covered creature. I’ve never walked in Whitemud Creek without Maggie, so it was exceptionally weird to have a continuous, fast stride, unbroken by calls from nature, or the ever present need to read the latest peemail and/or bother unsuspecting bugs. Nevertheless, I kept spotting choice sticks to throw, and carried on with my usual dog-human banter. Mostly in my head. It’s tough to go dogless.
Hellacious storm last night. Got up at 3:30 to watch the hail pummel my sister’s garden. I’ve never seen that much rain, at least not in recent memory. Some areas of the city got 100mm, and I’m pretty sure that area was southeast Edmonton. Even my poor pepper plant looks like it was deadheaded within an inch of its life. And, I’m sad to report, I lost a baby pepper.
Ah well, I have to admit I love intense weather, even if I have to sacrifice a beloved vegetable to get it. Beth and I took the dog for a walk this morning, and the power line field was completely saturated. Maggie had a great time in the mini-lakes. My feet were soaked within two minutes. Most spectacularly, the bank on the south end of Whitemud Creek has caved in near the water intake thing. Two giant holes, and then it’s just gone, sheared way by the volume of water. As a result, the creek was running very fast. Too fast. Had to keep the dog on the leash. Took a few photos, but the eroded bank was in dark contrast to the bright sun. I’ll try later. This afternoon, it is incredibly humid. And hot. Like every other day this week.
Holy humidity. Maggie and I left this morning at 8:45, to beat the heat. Nevertheless…it was humid, and warm. It also rained on us, but it was refreshing rather than wetting, especially as I was already wet. Supposed to be stinkin’ hot this week, so all my walks will be before noon. Everything will be before noon. Good thing I’m off this week…and next.
An unremarkable walk, other than an unfriendly poodle with giant balls. Must be a show dog. If not, there’s just no excuse for that.
The grey, caterpillared Ash trees in the river valley
Absolutely gorgeous day. Spent the morning at work (not so gorgeous), followed by a walk down Saskatchewan Drive into Mill Creek Ravine. Almost too hot, but a nice breeze kept me from swooning (but not sweating.) The trees north of 98th Ave have been devastated by the LEAF ROLLER CATERPILLARS. An entire canopy of leaves sucked dry of colour and life. It’s so weird because these trees (mostly ash) are surrounded by trees (mostly poplars) that are completely unaffected by the worms. The be-wormed trees look dead, although they do come back to life by August. On ONE branch alone I counted 24 worms hanging from the leaves in tangled strings of varying lengths. Very ugly. Saw a guy trying to console his son near Henrietta Muir Park after what I can only imagine was a nasty encounter with the caterpillars. Bikers have it the worst. I only walk in this corridor between the Muttart and Louise McKinney because the affected trees are easy to avoid…if you know where they are. Other parts of the river valley, particularly Rossdale, are out of bounds until mid-July. I know a lot of people loved the dry, mild winter that we had, but all I could think about…other than the black ice everywhere, was the leaf-roller caterpillar eggs NOT dying in the balmy temperatures. I’d take a couple of weeks of -30 weather to have a spring and summer without the green menace.
But…the other side of the bridge, in Louise McKinney, the view was bucolic. Green and lush and so, so, summery. Popped up to downtown for a Very Berry Booster Juice and a ride home on the train.
Today, Canada Day, it’s raining, but the sky is lightening up. Maybe a walk in the afternoon.
Addendum: 45 minute jaunt in Whitemud Creek with the dog. Humid, but sunny. Hmmm. We got Juned on the first day of July.
A hour-long romp through Whitemud Creek, emphasis on the mud after last night’s rain. Ah well, Maggie can always clean herself off in the beaver-infused creek, which she did several times. Beautiful, windy, summery day.
Spent three and half hours at work this morning, so to reward myself for heading into the office on a Saturday (other than the Ice Capp), I walked to Emily Murphy Park and played around on the trails. Or trail, as there’s only one as far as I know, and it’s a beaut! On a hot day, the trail that runs along the river is an outrageously green and cool drink of water. It’s been awhile since I’ve walked down here, a path so close to the North Saskatchewan that I once fell in during a snowy winter day (more like I rolled in.) No problems today, but lots of other people with the same idea. In spite of the company, it was very relaxing, and a welcome respite from the heat.
slumbering hare
When I got to work, three hares were lying in the grass on their stomachs, either cooling off, or getting some sun. Hard to say, the light was pretty dappled. From a distance, they looked dead, so I was relieved when one opened his sleepy goat eye, followed by the others. Too relaxed to even bother sitting up. I know the feeling.
Once I emerged into blinding sunlight from the comparative darkness of Emily Murphy, I wandered around dragonfly alley for awhile, but didn’t find a single one, sadly. Not many mosquitoes around mid-day…which means, no dragonfiles. Then, across the LRT bridge to the legislature grounds. Some kind of festival going on there, but like the bunny, I was by that point too hot to give a shit.
It really felt like summer today. Once my walk was over, I’d almost forgotten that I’d been at work.
