The drive to work yesterday was littered with debris; the aftermath of the wind gusts the day before.  Most downed trees were old and partly decayed but there were some healthy ones that were snapped off like a toothpick.  

The wind combined with the warm temperatures of late have melted much of the remaining snow.  What is left is icy and treacherous.  The annual Birkebeiner Ski Festival has been cancelled.  There are areas where the ski trails are bare. 

The Strathcona Wilderness Centre trails are also taking a hit.  They are more sheltered than those of the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area but the areas out in the open are bare as well.  This mild winter has not been kind to the x-country ski enthusiasts.

I think I blinked and missed winter this year.  In town, joggers wearing shorts were out on the sidewalks.  There was action galore at the skatepark.  Who would have thought that the scooters and bmx bikes would be dusted off and in use on February 7?

I have a few days off coming up soon.  My hope was to spend some time snowshoeing and x-country skiing.  Looks like I need some alternate plans.