Breaking Free

Posted bykagould17Posted inAlberta, Bunchberry Meadows, Hiking, Photography, Summer, Tuckers' FieldTags:, , , , ,

NOTE: This post contains slideshows and if you are reading it on your phone, it is best viewed direct from the SITE, rather than in the READER.

All photos taken on our July 12, 2021 hike of Bunchberry Meadows and Tucker’s Field.

Admit it. Over the last 16 months, we have all become locked in on the new current normal. We listened attentively or didn’t to all the Covid updates and either followed the procedures, ignored them or went over the top and started treating everything like it was nuclear waste and everyone like they had the cooties. It has been a long slog and those who were careful, likely came through the other side healthy, but perhaps a wee bit paranoid.

So it was on July 12 past, we broke free of our bubble and not only asked Pat’s sister M to join our weekly hike, but also to share our car for the ride out. While it did feel a bit different, it was comforting to be doing activities with a larger group.

The day promised to be warm and indeed it was already +20 C by 10:00 AM. We donned our bug jackets, but they were likely not needed as the recent dry spell has certainly slowed down the onslaught of mosquitoes. There was only a light breeze blowing and we soon warmed up. Who’d a thought a jacket full of holes could be so dang warm. Maybe, this should be my new winter parka.

Without further ado, here are the scenes of the day.

Sisters

As we did last week, we parked on the bend of Banksiana Road and walked in through Tucker’s Field. We opted to stay on the main paths, as M only had runners on. Our pace was slow and steady, so each time I stopped for a photo, I could easily catch up. The tiger lilies were gone and it seemed that flowers would be in short supply on this walk.

We soon found ourselves on Tamarack Trail and this hilly section quickly warmed us up. A few skeeters buzzed about in the boggy area.

We soon joined the Aspen Parkland Trail and came out into the open near the riding stable. The old 1939 Plymouth Mayflower carcass was barely visible from the trail, so I popped down the path for a look.

After a brief stop to pick raspberries on the open meadow, we were all glad to regain the forest shade. Up ahead, Patty’s bug jacket took on a golden glow in the sunlight. Birdhouses started to appear on the trees, each one just a bit different.

After a brief stop at the toilets, we were off again. A worker was busy watering the new trees and shrubs to help them survive the summer heat. As we walked by, a fine jet of water (you can see it in the photo gave us a bit of cooling. M was feeling a bit warm and took off the bug jacket hood, as did I. Sorry for all the shots from the back, but it would seem I was always playing catchup.

We soon arrived at the grove and paused for our first time lapse photo.

We decided to get sister M into the act as well, before slowly proceeding on…

…to the Tamarack Trail where it crossed several levees. The canal was definitely developing a thick look.

Back in Tucker’s Field, the once luxurious green of spring was gradually dulling down to summer shades. We were happy to reach our usual lunch stop and our 2nd time lapse photo. Sitting in the shade gave us a good chance to cool off.

Lunch over, I took one last shot down the trail and we were quickly back in the car.

Published by kagould17

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.

26 thoughts on “Breaking Free”

    1. We need to keep safe while getting back to normal. The pandemic and associated messaging have created a whole series of neurosis in most people and we are no different. The raspberry picking did not prove very fruitful, if you know what I mean. Thanks for reading Marion. Hope you had a good Thursday. Allan

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    1. They are. We must simply be patient. Funny thing, we were just back to the forest this week and someone has been opening the Mayflower doors. It might make a nice sequence. Thanks for reading. Allan

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    1. I guess Chrysler was feeling extremely patriotic that year when they built the Plymouth Mayflower. Still can not find any history of how it ended up at Bunchberry. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan

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    1. We will do this again next year. The wild raspberries are so small and the mosquitoes so relentless, it was not a fun process. Maybe next year, with a bit of rain. They were delicious raspberries though….Allan

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  6. It took us a very long time to finally meet up with someone due to the pandemic crises, too. We still haven’t had any friends or family over for dinner, and whenever we meet up it’s always outdoors. Are we being overly cautious? Sometimes given our surroundings it feels that way, but I am not ready to lower my guard just yet. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely weekend 🙂 Aiva

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    1. I am with you. We still meet outside our home on the deck (2 meters apart with vaccinated guests 3 meters or more from unvaccinated, if any). Nobody has been in our home while we are there and only one looking after it when we were away. I think each person/family must do what they are comfortable with and others must respect our guidelines/quirks. Heck, we are still washing all our groceries and quarantining mail/packages. This whole thing has affected us all. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading Aiva. Allan

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  7. I definitely agree with you about the last 16 months! I am certainly a bit paranoid. Although, my Mum went into the hospital with appendicitis the day after Thanksgiving and for some reason, I’m not worried about getting covid. Maybe because I have limited bandwidth, but I don’t know

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    1. How is your Mum doing? Hope she is well. As to not getting Covid, we are doing what we can to keep safe. because of that, we will be less likely to contract Covid. That being said, I think we will all get it some day and perhaps, not even know it. It will become like the common cold, which is a Corona virus. Thanks for reading. Allan

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