Nose Hill Park October 9 2016

This October weather so far is reminding me of the October when I moved here and that year on that day in Calgary went down in history for coldest and snowiest.  Both of those I truly do not mind, I learned how to embrace them and appreciate them for the beauty they do behold.  Today was no where near as fierce,  and once I saw the clouds disperse and blue sky appear, I quickly bundled up, headed out my door and toured around up on Nose Hill Park.  I had a few hours to fill.  

I like when the seasons meet & greet.

I knew Nose Hill could be dreamy today.

I bundled up but could have had more layers on, it was bitter with a bite.  

Right from the start, I knew I was in for a treat.  

With no direction or distance in mind, I just went, where the sky was bluer, where the ground was sparklier, and where my heart desired.  So up and down and around and up and over and in and down, I went.  

When the seasons clash, we are afforded beauty of a different sort.  This was a good opportunity to practise close up photography.  Ice was in abundance on every tree, on every leaf, on every trail, and my fingers were feeling like ice.

red & white

red & white & ice

We did not receive loads of snow but in the wide open spaces up on Nose Hill, thanks to the wind, the snow drifted.  I began to daydream and thought about SnowShoeing and X-C Skiing.  My hope is for a winter full of these joyful activities.

I also thought about drawing and painting and wondered could I create a piece that looks like this.  I took lessons many years ago but did not push forward with these crafts.  The interest was re-ignited while in Nova Scotia, but of creating beachy scenes.  I have the pencils, the paper, the paint, the brushes...let's see what this winter brings.

Deja-vu, if you are a follower and checked out last Sunday's post!  There we have those sparkly stars again.  Oh yes and today I got to get my being by water fix.  

I was feeling fulfilled with what I accomplished distance-wise and quite sure I had captured some treasures.  My feet were feeling cold and damp, and my fingers were near numb, I found the trail out and back and down and up and over and in and then back out to my car.

On this Thanksgiving Sunday, I have lots to feel blessed about and to appreciate.  

Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit Oct 2 2016

NOTE:  If you are a regular follower of mine you will notice the widget link lists on the left side are missing.  Blogger is aware of this issue and is working to restore them.  All my posts are still available through the monthly Blog Archive. 

With all of life's happenings, I am finally getting around to sharing my story from our hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lake on Sunday October 2nd.   I was still feeling at that sea level frame of mind and not quite ready to let it all go.  Yet, I knew I needed to work at getting my mountain legs back.  To solve that equation, I put two and two together and opted for hiking in the mountains around the biggest body of water I could think of.  Upper Kananaskis Lake is a favourite of mine for this time of year and hiking it would solve my problem.  

I was happy some friends were on board to share the beauty, the exercise and the fresh air.  

It was a crisp, cool, clear beginning to our day!

We idled somewhat along the early on portions but then motored through the forest.   For the first time for me since the flood, there were no sketchy sections to contend with.  The new bridges are all firmly planted in place.  The elevation level was low enough too to escape snow.  The weather warmed up as we came out into the open and with no wind we were afforded reflections.

We reached the campground and took a lengthy amount of time here to dine and explore the environs.  This was my lunch time view.  After feasting, we circumnavigated that peninsula in front of me which I had never done before.   We got to view the area and lake from a different perspective.

another reflection

It was colourful at the end of the peninsula.

Further down the trail, the views remained awesome.   I was happy some autumn shades were still in full swing.  When I got home and loaded up my shots from the day, I was surprised to see these little white sparkles in this tree.  When I looked closer they look like a bunch of little stars.   I am not sure what that is all about, but I like it a lot.  

me and my friends

With the warmth, the friends, the scenery, I could not help but think today was a like a gift.  I fully appreciated every second and sneakily tried to prolong the ending to our day.  One friend joined me in circling around another peninsula.  This place had it all, colors, water, mountains, reflections, and those clouds that I love so much.

lots of driftwood along the shore

autumn hues framing the forest

Just short of eighteen kilometers later, we had completed a full circle and arrived back at our vehicles.    We geared down then loaded the cars back up and hit the highway home.  Wildlife was distracting along with scenery on this day.  We waited while she took her time to cross the road.

I felt like I had my cake and was eating it too today!  To have a day like we did today, the second of October, in the Rockies, you gotta know one does not take this for granted.  Thank you for today's gift!

Black Point Nova Scotia

There is something about Saturday's at the beach.  The early part of our day was full of plans being out & about in the local close by towns.  I was in my glory at the New Glasgow Farmers Market where all things reminded me of my roots.  I didn't know where to focus and was all over the place.  Finally I was told in a polite way to settle down and a suggested plan of attack to visit all of the booths was offered up and we then admired the wares and shopped together.

After supporting the locals, we headed off to Pictou to have lunch at Pictou Lodge.  I savoured my biscuit with molasses butter plus a lobster roll.  Between salmon dinners & haddock dinners, lunch time lobster rolls & seafood chowder, also oat cakes, I am certainly filling my fix for this maritime way of dining.

BUT, I still have lots more beach combing in me to do. With the tide way out later in the day, we got another long walk in before a late dinner.  I picked a focus this time which was to how many different kinds seashells I could find.

         With the tide out so far, we were able to get to spots you can not get to otherwise.

                       With the tide out so far, we were offered different perspectives.

With the tide out so far, we could walk out further.  I watched a beachcomber almost reach Roy's Island.  Me, I preferred to not cross the water.

The wind and tides worked wonders to make this section appear like sand dunes.  If the water and seaweed were not there, one might think it was the desert.

      When the beach grass is blown by the wind, it forms complete circles in the sand. 

                                  oh the geology of it all, sand in the making

                With an hour left of walking still ahead of us, we began our return trip.  

Spending hours on the beach just roaming feels so good for the soul.  I don't take this opportunity for granted, I appreciate every second.  I guess I could say I made sure to "remember to breathe".

Black Point Nova Scotia two days in the life of...

...three ladies living a cottage lifestyle!  The days are laid back! There is loads of conversation!  The hours are full of reminanicing that brings laughter, plus catching up on life's happenings.  The smiles are there and sometimes not.  Walks on the beach are not questioned on whether they will occur, they just happen.  When the scenery sinks in, and the ocean air fills the lungs, with sand between our toes, we know we have arrived....to where we need to be so we can just...be.  

    Many things make this way of life what it is.  Simple little things create the setting.

                  The beach is a place to sit awhile and while away the minutes. 

With so much that needed to be talked about, we strolled the furthest that I have been along the beach to make sure we had all the time we needed.  Wine compliments a lovely beach walk.

At days end, we admired the harvest moon.  Not quite full, it still seemed to fill the sky.  We shared more wine and stories, this time with neighbour friends.  We discovered what a small world this is.  It was like the years had not passed.

As another new morning dawns, I performed the ritual of seeing what might be out the front door.  If you don't bother him, he won't bother you. I just watched as he nibbled on an apple.

                                                    a mourning dove

                                   One section is a rough and rugged shore.  

                       With the tide heading out, we were afforded a view of tiny tide pools.

                                 on the mid morning-side, autumn like-attire was called for

                                                       just a pretty view

                                              beach combing 

Our location was not particularly far from seeing the ferry boat that sails between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  We could see Caribou Island as well as PEI.

                                                               heron

With a full moon on the schedule for tonight, that means the tide will go extra low.  It's the perfect time for yet another stroll in the other direction. At these low tides, there is an opportunity to spot a variety of unique scenes...

                                                   ...like this...

 ...and like this.  We call this a tree of life.  I did not see it at first but those in the know of such trees pointed it out.  There is a story in this design which I will work on and share one day.

                                           

                                      you never know what you will discover during low tide

The signs shows another day of life at the beach is drawing to a close.  The winds calm down, the sky turns pink and a chill fills the air. What a wonderful two days of just being.