Water, water everywhere. The ditches are either filled to the top because the culverts are still frozen or they are flowing like a creek.

The pond surfaces have opened up and the geese that came back early are honking for joy. The chickadees have been serenading me on my daily walks.

Spring time temperatures have reduced the snow in the back yard so I can see grass showing through. The deer have found it and are keeping the new shoots 'mowed' in addition to raiding the bird feeders. They came daily through the winter but come only a couple times a week now. There have been some battles over the sunflower seeds.

The trails are a bit treacherous for walking so I've stuck to the road. For the time being that will do. I've been lucky to have chosen times when there is not too much traffic so I can hear the running water and the singing birds. I can smell and hear spring on the way.

Happy trails! Happy spring!

The sun was out and the sky was cloudless so I decided to take the kicksled out for what might be the last outing of the season with it.

My destination was the Hayburger Trail at Elk Island National Park. I left the parking lot at 10am and returned at 1:15pm. It was 12.2kms of snowy fun.

I was glad that I went early in the day because there was a whole lot of melting going on when the temperature hit a balmy 14C. By the time I got back to the parking lot, I had peeled off a few layers of clothing and the snow was beginning to stick to the bottom of my cleats.

The parks staff will have their work cut out for them once the spring melt is done. I counted 8 trees down across the trail. Most were on the ground so they were easy to go over but two were not toppled all the way so I had to tip the sled over and try to push it under the trunks. Fun times!

On my jaunt around the trail loop I heard squirrels, chickadees and the runners of my sled on the snow. There were lots of tracks in the snow; bison, elk, hare, squirrel, deer, coyote and mice.

The only other human that I met up with was back at the parking lot when I was breaking the sled down. Another hiker was just headed out for some fresh air. 

It's getting to be a bit challenging to hike on the trails now. The snow is too soft to walk with snow boots alone yet when I put the snowshoes on, the snow balls up under the cleats so it feels like I'm stepping on a baseball. Water is beginning to pool in the low spots. I'll have to dig out the rubber boots soon. This week I've been walking on the road that winds along the lake where I live. It's snow-free and dry so there's no slip-sliding happening when I walk.

The pussy willows are out. The Canada Geese are back and looking for open water. I noticed some of the birds collecting twigs for nest building. I do believe that spring is sprung.

I'll be sure to get out and enjoy the trails more once the ice has melted off. I've found a handy trail app for my phone and have set a goal of 5 hikes per week. So far so good. It is tracking the distance of my hikes and the speed that I've been walking. Nothing like having some robotic voice coming out of my pocket that informs me of the distance that I've traveled.

I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the bird calls, the smells and the sights of spring as it arrives. You don't need to have forested trails; the local park will do. Happy trails!

There was a nice snowfall a couple of weeks ago. It made the backyard trees look like they should have been on the front of a Christmas card. Their branches were laden with snow that sparkled in the morning sun.

The garden flag was not moving. It told me that the air was calm. I had a lot of chores to do but I couldn't pass on the opportunity to enjoy the new snow.

I took the snowshoes to the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail. I love that it is so close to home. In five minutes I was there and ready to hike.

I was the first human on the trail. The forest creatures were out before me. Deer, hare, moose, mouse and squirrel tracks criss-crossed the trail in front of me.

I got to my favorite part where the spruce trees tower overhead. It is the spot where I wish I could bottle the smell. The needles and sap permeate air and make me feel like I'm on a mountain trail. I could sit there all day taking in that forest aroma.

The trail forks at that spot and I went left. The sun's rays shone through the thick branches. A breeze shook the limbs and the fresh snow tumbled from the tree tops. 

I didn't want the hike to end but I couldn't put off the chores at home either. It was a beautiful, fresh, winter morning. I need to take in as many as possible. The spring sunshine will be melting the snow soon and I'll have to retire the snowshoes for another season.

The Cowboy Trail, also known as Highway 22, has to be the most scenic drive in Alberta. Drivers are treated to mountains, rolling foothills, ranch land; wonderful wide open spaces. I never tire of the landscape views along that highway. There's always something new to take in.

I decided to look up some information on a ranch that is located along that stretch of pavement. The Waldron Ranch goes on for miles and miles so it peaked my curiosity.

What a great conservation story behind the name. It is the largest area in Alberta where wild grasses grow and the ranchers belonging to the co-op are ensuring that the land remains that way.

http://www.fortmacleodgazette.com/2016/waldron-grazing-co-op-adds-king-ranch-to-conservation-easement/ 

Cattle on Waldron Ranch

Trails, beautiful trails. They wind their way through the urban area of Fernie. They wind through the parks, the forest and the resort. They are everywhere. They are for every skill level. 

Before leaving on my final day, we hiked the trail that follows the river. Trees tower overhead. Bright green moss on the trunks add a splash of color to the landscape. Red mountain ash berries hung in big clumps off sagging branches.

The river water was flowing. Through the openings between shrubs and trees we saw ducks gathered. Some were dipping and dunking while others waddled their way across chunks of snow and ice. Dog walkers passed by us. One little ball of fur thought that he/she was a mighty hunter and came charging down the snowbank. It was all bark and no bite. Not many of the ducks paid attention.

The walk along the river was a great way to end my visit. The fresh, spruce scented morning air was enough to get me through the 6 hour drive home.

Next Friday - HWY 22 to home. Happy trails!