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Miles of Smiles

Posted bykagould17Posted inAlberta, Beaumont, Bicycling, Birds, Photography, Poetry, SummerTags:, , , , , ,

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 August 14, 2021 on our bike circumnavigation of Beaumont.

Miles of Smiles © Tanka

Looking for some fun

on hot smoky Saturday,

we set out to ride

along new roads and old ones.

Our E-bikes give miles of smiles.

The forecast for the day was hot and smoky. We puzzled over the best way to get some exercise before settling on a slow morning cycle around our little city. Taking our usual route East through North Beaumont, we soon hit Range Road 241, where we headed South. At the 4 way stop at 50th Avenue, we could see that the paving was complete to the South and while the road was not yet open to traffic, we did not think that applied to bicycles. Turned out we were not the only cyclists that saw it that way. So nice to have a smooth traffic free road to ride on. At SH 625, we opted to reverse course.

Pausing for photos (who me?) it became obvious that the air was smokier than the AQHI said. The St. Vital church on the hill appeared through the haze.

Crops appear to be ripening well and when I took some close ups of the canola (rapeseed) crop, I could see that there would be pods and a harvest after all. Maybe this area will get lucky.

As we were stopped for photos, a red-tailed hawk flew by screaming out. I managed this shot before he disappeared behind the evergreens.
laneway and shelterbelt to a farmstead. Not sure if there are any buildings left on the site

Soon, back in Beaumont, we took our usual route around the storm ponds to see what wildlife was shaking. Our first stop in Forest Heights showed the effects on pond level caused by the lack of rain.

Still a fair bit of bird activity on Don Sparrow (a politician named after a bird?) Lake in Four Season’s Park. Dragonflies were also in abundance.

We cycled past a few more ponds before reaching home. At 11:15 AM, the temperature was already +26C. Time for a cool bevvie on the deck.

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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.

14 thoughts on “Miles of Smiles”

    1. Thanks. I had forgotten about that shot. Just lucky to capture. Having our own road even for a while was great. I assume it is now open to cars. Too wet today to find out. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Beaumont is a bilingual community, even though the French population is a lower percentage these days. The French village theme still applies in the downtown area and the Arrets are everywhere. Cheers. Allan

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. What a fun morning Allan. I loved your shots as well. Also a big fan of the dragonfly and the hawk. Beautiful. I always think of the farmers as well. That little road looked interesting. How do you like the e-bikes?

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    1. Thanks Joni. We really should get out for a ride again, but it is too chilly until later in the day. We love our E-bikes. They help Patty’s knees to cope with bike riding. We only regret we do not have a vehicle that can be adapted to carry them. Thanks for reading Joni. Allsn

      Liked by 1 person

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