Hikes

When people talk about a blue October sky, you can picture exactly what they mean. The sun never climbs to the zenith, but casts long shadows even at mid-day. The rays are golden, giving the sky a distinctive, intense hue that complements the fields of straw, the bare grey tree trunks, and the forests of dark green spruce.

Thirteen of us came out to enjoy the fine weather and sun. When we got up to the meadow on the tableland, we spotted a deer high-tailing into the bush.

After lunch we visited the monument to Peter Fidler, the explorer and map maker. This is one of four monuments in Canada.

On the way back, we decided to take full advantage of the day by taking a relaxing and refreshing break at the pond.

Finally we carried on through the forest that we visited in July, this time without mosquitoes.

You can see more pictures like these on Flickr.

It was a fine day for a walk in the country last Sunday for the fifteen of us who came out to hike. The views are among the finest on the Waskahegan Trail. From the high tableland on the Gwynne section of the trail you can look out on grain fields to the west and south, the Battle River valley to the east, the Gwynne valley—where the tiny community is nestled—to the north, and beyond that, the shimmering blue waters of Coal Lake in its own valley.

After lunch at the ski hill and our return in the warming weather, we jumped into our vehicles and headed to the Chickadee Trail. This trail, which is on private land, is visited frequently by people bringing birdseed for the resident chickadees. The birds are so tame and accustomed to handouts that they flew up us, looking for treats.

Next visit, we told them.

You can find more pictures on Flickr.