Nineteen people came out to celebrate this evening hike, the first of our city hikes this winter. There were old familiar faces and some new faces too. The hike was an opportunity to meet new people and get reacquainted with old friends.
As darkness fell, we walked eastward on the trails below Saskatchewan Drive, from the new 105st bridge to the Low Level Bridge. A few times we stopped a few times to take in the city skyline across the river.
After crossing the river and we continued through Irene Parlby Park and stopped to sing a Christmas carol. It could have been an image on a Christmas card—carolers in wool hats and scarves, standing under a street lamp, with elegantly decorated Victorian-style houses in the background.
The hike continued across the new footbridge, then under the 5th Street Bridge and the High Level Bridge. Turning at the Royal Glenora Club we climbed the staircase out of the river valley and reached the Legislature. Inside, we warmed up while listening to the Christmas concert. Then we returned across the High Level Bridge.
Half of us went on to Rosso, a restaurant, at the end of the bridge, and ended the evening with Christmas cheer.
You can see more amazing night-time photos on Flickr.
It was indeed a great time. The city is so very beautiful on winter evenings, especially with the addition of the new bridge. Thanks for the wonderful photos!