While my internet and TV are out, and before I go fully feral, here are some photos from my walk this morning with Sharon and Stella in Whitemud Creek Ravine (north).
It’s a wonderful trail, mostly flat, with great views of the curvy creek which has now turned a kind of sludgy green, although it’s still very much frozen. Mill Creek does that too. Not sure where that colour comes from. It’s actually a little more day-glo than my photos suggest.
Stella, refusing to pose again…
I’m no fan of grey skies, but the temperature was pleasant with no wind, so I will take it. I need to walk with Sharon and Stella when it’s sunny! We always seem to pick days that are overcast.
Random tiny birdhouses!Random tiny birdhouses (with googly eyeballs)!
Nice walk with Sharon and Stella today in the newly reopened Whitemud Ravine north, east of the Snow Valley ski hill.
Whitemud Creek with a big ass tree
Sharon brought some seed for the chickadees, who happily obliged. Met Wayne, the resident birdwatcher in full camouflage taking photos of a pine grosbeak. Should have brought my binoculars.
Me and a Chickadeedeedee…Sharon and a Chickadeedeedee…That’s where the River Queen is!
Drove over to Whitemud Ravine south (Westbrook trail head) to walk with Sharon, Vic and Stella. It was a frosty, beautiful morning walk under blue skies. It’s hard to stay inside when the sun is shining.
Be-masked Sharon, Vic and Stella, who chose not to wear a mask
If we couldn’t be together for Christmas, at least we can go for walks. And even though we were outside, because we were walking fairly close to each other, we all wore masks. It gave me a chance to bust out my “Tell Your Dog I Said Hi” mask. A ridiculously true statement. It’s also on my car.
Blue shadows in Whitemud RavinePrehistoric handprints on the guardrail?
There were lots of folks on the trails, no surprise, and spikes were an absolute necessity since the Whitemud trails have lots of ups and downs. I don’t walk enough on that beloved trail. It’s as familiar to me now, and as resonant with sense memories, as my old favourite Mill Creek Ravine – another neglected trail. There are definitely some spectacular river valley trails where I live now, but I am missing the variety.
Bluest blue creekSo many blue shadowsAt the far end of Whitemud Ravine south (next to Rainbow Valley RoadHoar frost or rime, not sure…
Nice, warm walk in Whitemud Ravine (south) this afternoon. We’ve had a beautiful September and October is starting off pretty nice too. 22C!
The entrance to Whitemud Ravine (via Westbrook) never fails to impress
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.
Iconic viewpointBirch poplar groveWhitemud Creek Ravine trailEverywhere you look, prettiness
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).
View from the new bridge, which somehow has less of an elevation than the former stairsBeauty viewThe creek!The ‘slough’ he final bridge (next to Rainbow Valley Road)Facing east (at the end of Whitemud South)River of leaves
Whitemud Ravine. It was actually sunnier than the clouds would suggest.
It’s hard to believe I haven’t walked in Whitemud Ravine since the winter. I’m not even sure I walked there in the winter! I probably did. I can account for February and March (Scottsdale and then the injury) and April/early May (COVID-19 shutdown) but since mid-May, I’ve really had no excuse. In fact, my walking in the last month or so has really sucked. We’ve had lots of rain, and I’ve been busy at work (including working some weekends) but if walking is not a priority, it’s not going to happen. And it hasn’t been a priority, for some reason. When I have walked it’s been over to Tom’s or with Tom, in and around Glenora. Great walks, but not the woods.
Stella refuses to pose
It’s so clear that I feel most at home, most like myself, walking in the ravines and the river valley. There’s just something about the woods. I felt immediately better once Stella and I walked down into that ravine via Westbrook. It was also wonderful to be with her, and to be surrounded by green. Sharon and Vic are away on holidays to BC, so even though Kate walks her, she doesn’t take her into the woods. Stella loves it. Whenever I come over, she noses the door of my car. She knows.
Stella stops to smell the whatever
Whitemud Ravine is incredibly lush right now. We’ve had so much rain, everything is moist, overgrown and ridiculously green. This is also my first unpaved trail walk since the injury. Crazy that I haven’t done this yet, but I was worried about tripping on a tree root and hyper-extending my leg again. It was totally fine. I didn’t feel any strain. Stella goes up hills very slowly now, but that’s OK.
Hello slough!Slough too!
One thing that was different was the little construction project about half way through is now completed. Last year, they took out the rickety boardwalk bridge and the very rickety wooden stairs. Somehow, in a feat of wizardry, they put in a bridge that doesn’t seem to have an incline, but still ends up at the top of the hill, next to the little lookout that is always full of seed for birds, squirrels and chipmunks.
New bridge!
Stella and I made it to Rainbow Valley Road and back. It took a little more than an hour, but surprisingly, it only adds up to 7,600 steps. The good thing is that it’s up and down, so a good, occasionally strenuous walk. Stella really, really wanted to go into the creek, but it’s too high and fast right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks. I sprayed her with the hose when we got back.
Next best thing to jumping in the creek…
The walk was really rejuvenating. I’m having a hard time taking care of myself these days. Lots of anxiety, stress, poor sleeping. The ironic thing is that if I was walking more, I probably wouldn’t be experiencing those things, or at least not to the same degree. Not only does walking decrease stress and anxiety, it can also prevent it. At least in my experience. The world is kind of a dumpster fire at the moment, so the least I can I do is take myself for a daily walk. It worked for 20+ years. No reason why it couldn’t work again.
These beautiful photos were taken early in the morning on Friday, July 10 after a very stormy night. Whitemud Creek Ravine looks absolutely magical. Thanks bro-in-law!
