As the winter weather dragged on, we got less and less interested in trying local walks along icy paths. Having purchased some new nanoSpikes from MEC, we set off this day on a route along the North city boundary to give them a try. The temperature was about -7 and the wind, which always seemed in our face, whichever way we turned (Blowmont) made it feel colder then the view out our window had indicated.
But, we persevered and the 6 km walk was literally a breath of fresh air. With flat walking surfaces and our new spikes, we were able to get a fairly even walking pace going. But having just done 6.5 km on uneven forest paths the day before, our energy was flagging by the end. How we long for the good old days of walking on dry paths in normal hiking boots.
Storm pond North of Rue Montalet. Not many human tracks out here yet, but the critters had been out and about on the snowy ice surface.
Blue skies shining on me Nothin’ but blue skies do I see
My 50x (1200 mm equiv) lens easily picked up the downtown towers 21 km. (13 miles) away
City meets country along the North boundary
Long shadows on the local golf course
The bright sun above made the snow below sparkle
Looking North from East edge of city
The big view East
Even at -7C, the sun had enough power to melt the snow on this pretty barn
take me home, country roads – this road seems to go on forever
More sunny golf course views on the way back
No, they are not making snow on our local hill, just city crews piling the snirt ever higher on Mt. Snowdump
Last view of storm pond on our way to afternoon coffee
The change in gait from wearing ice cleats and the constant wind in the face was wearing us down by the end of our walk. Spring can’t get here soon enough.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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Seems we might stand a chance for the next few days in the teens. Calgary got hammered with another snow storm yesterday and I am sure there will be one last reminder in May. Thanks for reading Lynette. Happy Saturday. Allan
Great that you got to try out your new spiked boots. Do you take a lighter pair of shoes with you in your rucksack for when you go inside a cafe etc so as not to damage the floor?
Thanks Marion. Typically on these walks, we do not go into shops. If we have to, we can pill the spikes off the boot. They are shaped kind of like toe rubbers for dress shoes. No spikes needed these days. Everything is bare and dry. Thanks for reading. Allan
I’m not sure which is worse, the wind or the ice. Probably the wind. Good for you for getting outdoors though and for taking pictures along the way. It looks cold, but beautiful.
Maybe we should have put our skates on and spread our arms, so the wind pushed us. May have been a bit of trouble getting home though. Today will be a nice snow and ice free day. I may even get my garden raked out. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan
Today is bright and sunny here Luisa. I even managed to rake out some planting beds. No planting for a few weeks yet, but there is progress. Thanks for reading. Hope your grey day gets sunny. Allan 🌺🌻🌼🌷🤗
Spring comes slowly. Today, I raked out my veggie garden and planting beds and transplanted a few perennials. Up to +13. Yay. Thanks for reading Giacomo. Allan
I think it struck home with me whew I got home and looked at the photos. My original title was going to be Blue Sky Day (hence the sky photo). It may be cold here in winter, but we are blessed with sunny skies most days. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
PHOTO DROP 
I love the sparkle of the snow. If only this bright sun could be as bright when I want to take pictures. Nice gallery.
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We like to walk on sunny days when possible. This year was cloudier than usual. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Please delete the last attempt at a reply since I dropped my phone and all sorts of things inadvertently happened!
You’re right about spring; yup, can’t get here fast enough.
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Seems we might stand a chance for the next few days in the teens. Calgary got hammered with another snow storm yesterday and I am sure there will be one last reminder in May. Thanks for reading Lynette. Happy Saturday. Allan
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Great that you got to try out your new spiked boots. Do you take a lighter pair of shoes with you in your rucksack for when you go inside a cafe etc so as not to damage the floor?
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Thanks Marion. Typically on these walks, we do not go into shops. If we have to, we can pill the spikes off the boot. They are shaped kind of like toe rubbers for dress shoes. No spikes needed these days. Everything is bare and dry. Thanks for reading. Allan
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You are brave, out hiking in such cold and icy conditions. You got some great pics out of it. 😊👍
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We have to keep moving. The cold is less of a problem than the icy surface. With our new spikes, we stand a chance. Thanks for reading Pepper. Allan
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I’m not sure which is worse, the wind or the ice. Probably the wind. Good for you for getting outdoors though and for taking pictures along the way. It looks cold, but beautiful.
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Maybe we should have put our skates on and spread our arms, so the wind pushed us. May have been a bit of trouble getting home though. Today will be a nice snow and ice free day. I may even get my garden raked out. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan
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Your photos, as always, are gorgeous and have brought me some light and sunshine on a gray and drizzly day here in Italy.🙏🌹🙏
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Today is bright and sunny here Luisa. I even managed to rake out some planting beds. No planting for a few weeks yet, but there is progress. Thanks for reading. Hope your grey day gets sunny. Allan 🌺🌻🌼🌷🤗
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Thanks for your kind reply. I must say that some rain is welcome here in northern Italy since it hasn’t rained for three months ❣️
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Hope Spring arrives for you soon! It finally arrived here this week!
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Spring comes slowly. Today, I raked out my veggie garden and planting beds and transplanted a few perennials. Up to +13. Yay. Thanks for reading Giacomo. Allan
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Until I read your title and looked at the photos, I never really realized that the two main colors of Winter are blue and white!
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I think it struck home with me whew I got home and looked at the photos. My original title was going to be Blue Sky Day (hence the sky photo). It may be cold here in winter, but we are blessed with sunny skies most days. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
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