Hiking, biking and other adventures (mostly) in the Canadian Rockies
Winter, like any other time of year, is a great season for being out and about in Canmore. The amazing mountain scenery enhances any outdoor activity, whether pond skating, cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing or simply (Nordic) walking. Heading out on familiar trails, time after time, could be boring. But by choosing to observe the changing of seasons and search out previously unnoticed details, it's possible to enjoy the same trails season after season, and year after year…
Autumn is our favourite season, and it comes early to this part of the world. Peak colour usually happens in September. But in October, later sunrises and earlier sunsets make it easy to get out at just the right time to enhance lingering fall colours with golden hour light. Since Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday in October, "Thanksgiving" was the obvious connecting theme for these photographs, all made over the Thanksgiving long weekend spent in Canmore.
Despite more than 20 years of hiking experience, we occasionally blow our trip planning. So while we thoroughly enjoyed the varied landscape and fantastic scenery just beyond Bow Hut, we didn't even know to hike up The Onion for an overhead view of Iceberg Lake. That's a good reason to hike this trail again - soon!
Despite its official arrival almost four weeks ago, signs of spring remain elusive. But for careful observers, there are compelling clues that spring is creeping over the Calgary landscape: fluffy catkins, pale green leaves poking through, patches of open water on Glenmore Reservoir, and prairie crocus blossoms - the most convincing sign of spring!
People sure make different choices when it comes to vacations. Budget, family circumstances and personal interests shape holiday plans. Our family vacations tend to one extreme or the other - we go big or stay home! This spring vacation, we opted to unwind with a nine-day nature break in Canmore, featuring daily photo walks. Our vacation pics reflect the tussle between winter and spring that takes place at this time of year in this part of the world.
