While "out & about" yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that it's time to start hunting!  Spring arrived today and with that the crocuses shall soon begin to peek out.  While there is still snow on some sunny slopes, that does not necessarily stop the pretty pink and purple blooms from making an appearance.  My first sighting last year was on March 31st and from the look of that wildflower, it had been out for a couple of days. My first sighing of 2021 was April 5th.   During spring of 2020 I painted crocuses on rocks with acrylic paints.  In 2021 & 2022 I r ..read more

  The freeze thaw these past few days is making for quite a variety of trail conditions. I was hesitant on hiking up the Bears Hump for those reasons.  Today I thought at least have a look at the trail and assess  my comfort level along the way.  I geared up at the trailhead, climbed over the snow back and took a look at the trail. People had been in the past days.  The snow was supportive in the centre of the trail.   It was easy going early on.   Just as I was reaching the first steep section, a half dozen deer were working their way down the hi ..read more

By end of day yesterday, the wild wind worked its way down to a decent level and then overnight into this morning it became non existent.  Whew, that meant it would be a safe and enjoyable experience to be out & about today.  Yesterday’s original plan became today’s plan, a hike into Cameron Lake from Little Prairie.  Hiking options are limited in winter so this is one I always do when I visit Waterton in winter. I am ready to go!  What tracks were there were faint.  The ski tracks were filled in and there were no visible walking or snowshoeing tracks.  I ..read more

When I woke and saw what the wind was forecasted to be like today, I put an alternative plan in place.  Instead of being up high or off into the wide open, I stuck close to my home away home where there would be numerous locations to take shelter.  While wandering about, I kept my ears and eyes open for the Parks People who were doing their thing. Each day, all day, they are clearing major streets. With a route in mind, I bundled up and aimed for the lake shore.   Parts of the path were wind scoured and others were drifted over.   This video gives you an idea of what Wa ..read more

It took about a month of waiting for the stars to align to book a few days in Waterton Lakes National Park.    Because this Park does not get busy in winter, finding accommodations last minute is never an issue.  Finally the stars aligned and I put the plan in place to venture south.  The night before the weather turned and it was forecasted to now be very windy and very warm after a very snowy and very cold past couple of days. A most important factor was the road for the entire three hour drive was clear and dry. The closer I got to Waterton, the more windy it became w ..read more

Back in December when I was pondering what I wished 2023 to look like, I wondered would I be able to skate around a total of 100 kms this season.  I reviewed the distances I covered skating in past seasons.  If ice conditions and driving conditions to get to the ice were favourable and I made an extra effort to fit more skating into my days, then 100 kms should be doable.  Once I sorted through all that, I then forgot about it and just went about my merry way.  As the weeks went on, I surpassed the 100 kms mark but thought nothing of it and it did not feel like an accomplis ..read more

It's been less than a month since my last progress report!  It is time to put together another report sooner rather than later.  While I have been quickly moving along the route, it feels like I am going no where due to all the ins and outs along the many peninsulas.  The chart below is the proof I am making good progress. At end of day March 9th and at the 376 kms mark,  this is what it looked like from my location along the route.   what I have covered in greenish/blue and red shows what I have ahead of me This is close to where I virtually finished for the ..read more

When you chase outdoor ice, you take your chance!   First things first, I wandered over to the ice to check conditions!  The sign said "rough ice", which it said every time this winter that I was there, except one time it was at "wet ice".  The Lagoon looked rough, the groomers were sweeping and flooding it.  The Canal looked freshly groomed and smooth.   I took the chance and went for it!   The sun was high and bright yet it was still cold enough. With a bright high sun comes a long shadow. Along with the bright sun and the warmth from it, come Black-Capped ..read more

What I hoped for, I got, tenfold!  I wished for a blue sky with some of those fluffy puffy clouds that I love so much!  I wanted there to be a nice covering from the new snow that fell overnight!  I hoped to be drawn in and left speechless!  Welcome to what Nose Hill Park and March 1st blessed me with this morning! It's not a long drive from home to here yet I breathed a sigh of relief when I arrived safely given rush hour was very rushy and road conditions were sketchy.  After scooting up the short hill from the parking lot, this was what I saw!   This is the f ..read more

Ever since watercolour painting grasped ahold of me, the use of all my other mediums fell by the wayside!  The coloured pencils, India ink pens, watercolour brush pens and graphite pencils still sit at the very edge of my table.  Self talk kicked in and I told myself "If you are not going to use them than put them away!" This is the outcome of that self talk!  I created what I call "February Sketch Challenge" using graphite pencils and it came with two simple rules:   sketch a picture each day in February   time limit is 30 minutes   This is the outco ..read more