I was planning on taking the snowshoes out today.  That didn't happen.  I drove into the Wilderness Centre parking lot and drove right back out again.  The parking lot was full.  The overflow lot was full and people were beginning to park on either side of the driveway.

I had my skates with me so decided on some ice skating.  My first location was a bust.  The parks staff had not cleaned the snow from it.  I tried the snowbank rink by the local elementary school.  It was perfect.  I had the ice all to myself.  I love skating there.  There's nothing quite like skating on an outdoor surface.  This one is well maintained; cleaned and flooded on a regular basis.  I'm always amazed at how little it gets used.  There are picnic tables set up beside it so families could make a morning or afternoon of it.

The ice surface that wasn't cleaned off is at the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot  Recreation area.  It is larger than the one that I skated at.  There are picnic tables and outdoor fire pits with wood provided.  There is also a large picnic shelter with a wood stove inside.  Both are perfect locations for a family outing.

When I got home, I filled the bird feeders.  I heard a very loud, hollow tapping sound.  The pileated woodpecker was at it again.  Rather than coming to the old rotted stump or the suet feeders, it was rat-a-tat-tatting on a power pole.  

My backyard deer friends showed up during the late afternoon.  I had the pail of water back outside for them.  Only a couple of them came for a drink.  The others preferred to grab mouthfuls of snow.

The forecast shows sunshine for tomorrow.  I hope it is correct.  I'd like to take the skis or snowshoes out for a couple of hours.