Feeling Fenced In

I didn't realize until I looked at my photos when I got home, but a theme accidentally developed from today's photography outing and that theme was "fences"!  I said last week that I would be back to visit Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.  I wasn't expecting it to be this soon but this place was perfect for a Sunday when I didn't want a big challenge fitness wise but was looking for a challenge photography wise.   

We headed in a different direction this time and right from the start, my very first photo of the day included a fence.  There were many fences to keep us on track, to show us the way, then to not allow us to go to where it was showing us to go!  Does that make sense?  But, we understood the reasons why and of course respected them!  This is a very beautiful Park and I want it to remain that way!

Stay Back!

Keep Out!

Stop!

You can enter here but we are not making it easy for you!

I am not a wide person yet I almost needed my friend to push me through here!

Do Not Enter!

Private Property!

An open fence!  

Enter!  

An open door is like a new beginning!

Open your eyes to what surrounds you!  

The crocuses beginning to open!

The eagle protecting new life!

The sun begins to shine!

My friend reminded me to turn the polarizer filter and watch the colors change and when I did, I saw this park in a whole new light!  Oh, did you notice?  There is a fence in both the upper and lower photos.

There were portions of the Park still covered in new snow and it added an extra touch of beauty.  It's spring and I am looking forward to summer, but the brand new snow against the blue sky and golden grasslands looked stunning!

We topped off our 14 kilometer photography hike by working our way up the Tiger Lily Trail.  I was happy with how today turned out.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was snowing in the city at 8:30am when we left to head west.  We are fortunate to have such a beautiful place to explore right out our back door!  Like I said before, I will be back!

Top Marks

I was looking forward to today because it was going to be an opportunity to make new friends to adventure with.  They were keen on snowshoeing to Fox Lake as none of them had been there before.  I knew the way so was game to share the day with them.  I had expectations and hopes for what we might see, with that being a new bright blanket of white.  We obviously got that as you can see Fox Lake at the base of Mount Fox.

We had chatted along the way about the hope of seeing wildlife off the road.  I said we may see deer, mountain sheep or a coyote and if we are lucky we could see a moose.  They had hoped for a bear seeing as they are making their way out of hibernation.  Just then, something crossed the road in front of us.  It was a wolf!  This was something I did not expect for today and could not believe my eyes!  We were in total amazement!  I took this as a sign for a great day to come!  Its' partner was on the other side of the road.

photo credit to my back seat friend

We made it to the trail head and as I had hoped for, we were the first!  The first snow was hard and crunchy along an already set trail.  The amount of snow really showed when we reached this portion of the X-C Ski trail.  Those that know me, know I am tall as is this snow bank.

This really puts the height of the snow in perspective!

This just boggles my mind!  

Seeing how the snow was just about covering important signs, I was thinking if there happens to be a few more inches of snowfall and you happen to be coming here, you better be familiar with the area and the terrain and know your way around because there will not be any signs to see to notify you of what you need to know.  For example:  Avalanche area Do Not Enter, moderate downhill ahead, directions to Fox Lake or anything around here and then where the snowshoe trails are. 

We had a wonderful lunch spot in ideal conditions of sunshine, warmth and no wind.  

Looks like storm clouds brewing off in the distance.  They never did reach us.

The Continental Divide was spectacular!

My friends were keen for a little exploring in powder and two were game to break trail.  We used my GPS track as a guide and went off track for a bit here and there.  I could not have asked for today to be different in any way other then how it was.  It was more then I expected and I sensed my new friends felt the same.  The work it took in making today happen was all worth it.

A Pretty Good Friday!

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park offered exactly what I was looking for today.  I wanted a scenic place close by where I could share a few hours with new and old friends, stretching my legs and lungs.  I was hoping for it to be at least a pretty good morning, but it ended up being a great Good Friday morning!  Well, it was pretty too!

We dropped in at the visitor center first, which to our surprise, they were expecting us and knew our itinerary!  Not sure how that happened!  After a brief chat with the volunteers, we hit the trail starting with this view point just before Tiger Lily.  It was a frosty start.

We wound our way down Tiger Lily to meet up with Badger Bowl.

This pattern on ice was at the intersection.

The gradual ascent began along Badger Bowl.   

That's when the wonderful views began and CP arrived from the west.

We could see all the way to Banded Peak.  

After reaching the top of Badger Bowl we took the link down to Bowbend.  

It wasn't a holiday for CP today!  

That red kept showing up!

This was my third time at Glenbow Ranch and each time different things catch my eye.  

We connected on to the lower portion of Yodel Loop which brought us to the beginning of the last stretch home up the Glenbow Trail.  We came prepared for lots of snow and ice but luckily for us, that did not materialize. Nearing the end of the hike, as we approached the Visitor Center, I was ready to head home for a nap.

I wasn't the only one feeling tired!

There is still so much ground to cover at Glenbow Ranch. I  know I will be back!  As for today, it was nice visiting with old friends and it was great to make new friends.  Tomorrow I get to make more new friends!  Stay Tuned!

Embracing Color

While I always remind myself to embrace the day when I am out and about exploring and adventuring, the thought sometimes gets pushed to the back burner.  Once again with life's other happenings, I truly needed to "embrace today" so I made sure that thought stood out and was at the forefront of my day.

I had an idea of what I wanted today to look like plan-wise, I just wasn't sure where I wanted it to happen.  I was out the door at 5:50am and headed west but down a different road then I normally go when I go west.   An hour later, I found the perfect spot!   I bundled up, found a rock to sit on,  had my coffee to help keep me warm and then I patiently waited.

...and the show began...

...the sunrise was pretty...

...I learned that you should not forget to look behind you...

...the show happens there too...

...right before my eyes, the alpenglow slowly developed...

I was content with what I had seen all ready and it wasn't even 7:45am yet!  I would have been happy to head back home at this point but I remembered to "embrace today" so drove a little further west.  I was amazed!  I could not believe the beauty before me!  It was time for breakfast.  I bundled up, found a rock to sit on, had the rest of my coffee along with a banana, boiled egg and strawberries and devoured the view along with my food.

...the golden colors reminded me of autumn...

...On Golden Pond...

Could my day get any better?  A number of kilometers even further west, I drove down a road to see if the Lake would be picture perfect today, and it was.  The rays from the sun danced all over the place.

...I stood and watched yet another show...

...even the tree stump got caught up in the light show...

...I love how the sun shone on the tiny snow drifts on the Lake...

My day started with the gold and red as the sun started to rise.  Then different shades of pink came into the picture just before the sun appeared.  I was surround in pink as the alpenglow captured my attention.  What a colorful day!  The golden glows were deserving of top awards and the blues of the Lake would turn any sad blue frown into a winning smile.  What would a day in March, in the mountains, be without white!  As I headed further west and then south, white became the dominant color.

...new white is no nice...

...even specks of red were thrown in here and there...

...this red canoe is ready to go whenever the river fills...

As the end of my day drew to a close, I realized how very easy it was to "embrace today"!