Wow, what a gorgeous day! November 1st, and it’s 17C. A bazillion people out and about but easy to distance on the trail from Fort Edmonton to Terwillegar. About 12,000 steps.
We had such a cold second half of October, but the last few days, including Halloween, were beautiful.
I was having a tough time with the weather until lately. It was pretty nice early October, but for two weeks (up until Sunday) it was gloomy, cold, snowy and in all ways just plain ugly. The snow was gross, but the clouds felt like a bag of dead cats on my shoulders. I am really affected by the sky. If it’s not blue, I’m blue.
The sun came out two days after my birthday however, and it’s been off and on sunny ever since. It rained as well, so all the snow is gone. Today, the sky was bright blue and so I went for a 90 minute walk at lunch (a late lunch, I left at 1 pm) to take advantage of the blue sky and to celebrate a story I just completed for work. I often go after work over to Tom’s to pick him up but the sun sets early now, so around 4:45 when I would normally leave we’re already into ‘the gloaming’, not my favourite time of day. The light is diffuse, like it is now as I write this, obscuring the sun.
At 1 pm, however, it was just gorgeous. I feel so much better!
I walked down into the river valley from the Victoria promenade, and then through MacKinnon Ravine and up into Glenora. In some places, there was still pretty frost on the leaves, but it was mostly warm(ish), bright and lovely. Not surprisingly, I ran into Tom.
About 90 minutes in total, 11,000 steps. 7C.
Nice, warm walk in Whitemud Ravine (south) this afternoon. We’ve had a beautiful September and October is starting off pretty nice too. 22C!
I was in Whitemud Ravine (via Westbrook) by 1:50 so it was already packed, mostly with families. Walked from the far south end to Rainbow Valley Road. Slightly under an hour, mostly because I didn’t take Stella. She has a few issues with hills these days so I was just by myself. I associate that ravine with Maggie and Stella, so it’s always a bit weird to be without a dog.
I would say we are slightly past peak fall, but it was still gorgeous. The creek was very low, we haven’t had a lot of rain lately. I was wearing capris but could have worn shorts. I haven’t put the fake tan goop on my legs for about two weeks, so it’s probably better to deal with the heat and cover my snowy white legs, which rarely tan on their own (but they do freckle).
A lovely Sunday morning walk with Tom, although we were outrunning rain clouds the whole time (it didn’t rain).
We started from my place and then down into Rossdale to show him the paintings on the underpass. They don’t disappoint, and I saw even more the second time.
The main purpose of the walk was to feed Joanne’s cat Jack. The walk was the bonus. 14,611 steps. About 18C.
Another amazeballs walk, this time on Autumn Eve around lunchtime. Always funny how when Autumn hits every year (this year, September 22), it’s already Peak Fall in Edmonton, followed in quick succession by the brown season and then snow. Nevertheless, it’s very beautiful and we’ve been getting great weather, but the ominous presence of winter looms.
A bit windy, but about 18C and very colourful. 10,222 steps.
We’ve had some coolish temperatures in the last couple of days and a few, yellow leaves are blowing around on the ground. I am not looking forward to Autumn. It’s beautiful, and in the thick of it, I love it, but it’s always too soon. Always. We never get a full August without some hint of autumn in the canopy. And once it starts, it’s so quick. As I have said before, September (along with May) is the most changeable month. It starts out summery, and by the end, it is almost past-peak fall.
The day started off very grey and cold, but by the afternoon the sun was shining. I had planned on making some pies with a huge bag of Tom’s apples, but the draw of the summer afternoon was too strong.
It was very cheering to walk into the river valley via the Victoria Golf Course and be surrounded by deep, deep green and full, swaying foliage. There were lots of golfers and some physically distant activity happening on the grounds, with the sound of laughter wafting through the trees. It was all so…normal. Kind of a gift.
Once I was past the golf course, I walked along river road and then up into Glenora via the paved trail. It really felt like summer. I then met up with Tom and we walked back into Oliver via the museum, now a favourite route. I ended up with about 15,000 steps. The temperature never got above 18C, but that was OK. The good news? It’s still summer.
