The Perfect Weekend

As I watch a gentle rain shower out the window, I'm reflecting on a great weekend spent outside. Not one, not two but three opportunities to witness autumn in all it's splendor.  

We tried out a new trail today.  It ran alongside Astotin Lake at Elk Island National Park; passing through wetland areas and mixed forest.

The morning started off with some rain showers that intensified the colors and the smells.  The yellows were especially vibrant.  Photographs do not do justice to the scenes along the way.

We parked in the main lot, hiking a paved path along the lake until it ended at the actual trailhead for the Lakeview Trail.

There were still a good number of waterfowl on the lake and in the small ponds.  We could hear geese honking overhead.  Muskrats created v-shaped ripples in the water as they swam.  When the ripples disappeared, the water was as smooth as glass.  The beautiful fall colors reflected off the surface.

As we hiked, the smell of ripe cranberries filled the air.  Every now and again, we glimpsed clumps of red amidst the yellow.  If it was not a cranberry bush, it was a colorful rose bush with its bright red rosehips.





 



One section of the forest had numerous decaying logs.  Each was covered with a soft blanket of moss that varied in texture and color.  Brightly colored orange lichen added contrast to the bright green. 

We could hear bluejays calling in the trees and smaller birds in the underbrush.  I heard something skitter through the dead leaves.  When I glanced over, a little brown mouse stared back at me.  It's partner was not as daring; taking off down the bank on the left side of the trail.

As we came back to the paved part of the trail that bordered the lake, we found a number of benches on a viewpoint.  It was a great spot to sit a spell, have some snacks and take in the beauty.  Ducks were swimming and dunking for food in the water just in front of us.  In the distance a red canoe was spotted along the shore of the island.  To the south of us, some hardy picnickers were set up close to the dock. 

 
On the way out of the park we stopped at the Bison Loop.  A herd of Wood Bison were gathered in the field.  They put on quite a show for the onlookers.  Young calves were feeding on their mothers.  Bulls were creating dust clouds as they rolled in the dry dirt.  Yearlings made their way onto the road, creating a traffic jam until they decided to move into the field on the other side.

Today's outing was a great way to end the weekend.  The weather was superb and the sights spectacular.  This quote says it all.  I could not have said it better.

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

Nathaniel Hawthorne