Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Its Sunday which means a new Hiking post! But first a garden update. We're not going full force ahead with our balcony garden until next summer but we did try out a couple of things this year including radishes. I can report that after quickly sprouting despite Hudson's best attempt to disrupt our attempt at planting, my radishes have done ... Sweet Fuck All. Nothing, Nada. Zip. Zilch. I ended up pulling them all and will dump the dirt next weekend. So disappointing but I am eager to try again next year. Ok, onto the report...

This week, Mom and I headed out to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre for our weekly hike. We had visited there last year and were happy to try out a new to us trail. Now, we're early risers and like to try and get out in the wilderness first thing in the morning - and I mean FIRST thing. However, unlike most places we hike, the SWC doesn't open until 9:00am each morning. We had not bother to look up operating times as we had completely forgotten this from last year. Fortunately for us, the person working at the visitor information centre was opening the gate when we arrived at 8:30 and very kindly let us in. 

After a quick potty break, off we went. It was nice and cool for the first time in it seems like forever with a fantastic cool breeze. The sun was shining brightly but the cooler temps made for a perfect morning. We opted for one of their beginner trails, the Owl Loop which we combined with part of the Wagon Loop and a shortcut thru Coyote Run for a hike of 2.12 miles / 3.4 km. 

The trails are all very well maintained and very wide - 4-5 people could easily walk together along most of the trails without feeling squished together side by side. While the trails are groomed, they are mostly grass and clover with a few muddy patches (we finally got some rain!) which they occasionally cover with woodchips. 

The only wildlife we encountered on this hike were a bunch of little tiny frogs racing from one side of the trail to the other. We did hear a woodpecker and a squirrel but didn't see anything. We also only encountered 3 other people (all together) that were on a short hike from the lodge where they were staying. The perks of going early!!!! 

We also didn't see any bodies of water on our hike which is usally a must for us but the trail was lovely and we'll definitely keep it on our list of must do local hikes each year. So far all of our hikes have pretty much made this list. 

Near the end of our trail there was a side path and boardwalk that led to a spruce bog. Its part of a forest study and I think they use it as part of their kids programming. Once you get onto the boardwalk, the forest changes quickly an becomes darker, like something out of a horror movie. You almost expect a bunch of scantily clad teens to run past screaming as they try to escape the local maniac in a hockey mask. However, since the bog is filled with squirrel nests/warrens, some unlucky busty blonde would twist an ankle and quickly die a horrigle death. I digress......  The path leading you into the bog and onto the boardwalk though is lovely and sunny although a bit narrow. After spending an hour hiking the super wide trails, it was quite a switch.

Other than our feet getting completely soaked from the dew and remnants of rain, no complaints this week (not even any mosquito bites to report!)

Solo Hike

This morning I headed out for the weekly hike on my own. Mommikins signed up for the Edmonton Marathon's 10K road race today so she wasn't able to join our weekly jaunt into the wilderness. I contemplated staying home and tackling chores like laundry and cleaning but I knew, from a mental health perspective, that if I didn't go and commune with Mother Nature, I was likely not going to do well.

Rather than attempt a new to us trail, I stuck with something simple and not too far out there just in case. You can never be too careful as a solo hiker, especially a female one. So, I ended up at Beaver Hills Biosphere not so bright but certainly early this morning. Designated a UNESCO biosphere in 2016, Beaver Hills is about 40-45 minutes eastof Edmonton, just past Sherwood Park. The trail is approximately 2KM, with some gentle rolling hills but nothing difficult. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash.

We had done this hike last year when we first began exploring hiking spots near Edmotnon. It was very quiet this morning although I did hear a few ducks and the occasional squirrel letting his buddies there was a human in their midst. Not much in the way of wildlife to be seen this morning although I did encounter two adorable bunnies who bounded off into the bushes when I huffed and puffed my way towards them, and a squirrel who seemed as shocked to see me as I was to see him as I trundled around a bend in the trail. There was also a moth/butterfly type insect that flew into my chest and in very typical Canadian style, I apologized to it.

Typical of the areas we tend to frequent on our hikes, there were plenty of ripe wild raspberries to be found, as well as a couple of other berries I'm not familiar with but see all the time. If anyone knowns wht they are (upper right and lower left in the photo below) I'd be grateful. I think the berries in the lower left are bear berries - I came across some that were red but a lot that were white (unripe?). Additionally, the trail had tons of this lovely purple flower which I believe are smooth blue asters. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me in the comments. 

The trail at Beaver Hills is well maintained and fairly wide; certainly wide enough for two people to walk side by side if you're walking or hiking with a friend. Its well marked and broken into smaller sections so for beginners the distances are too daunting. The signs are a bit dark compared to other parks/trails and blend well into the foilage, at least at this time of year. If you're not looking or paying attention, you might miss one. However, everyone sign tells you exactly where you are on the trail so its easy to figure out how much further to go, what's coming up next etc. 

There are also a couple of lookout spots where you can rest and take in the scenery. The first one, which veers off from the main trail is well worth the extra short distance to see it. While you can't tell from the picture below, there were a number of ducks on the far side of this pond/marsh/slough frolicking about (probably just regular duck business but it sounds more interesting to say frolicking). A great spot for a picnic lunch too if you're so inclined. 

Next week, its back to hiking with Mommikins and hopefully a regular blog feature. At least during the summer and fall months. 

Stay Frosty!

Once more, unto the breach...

Well, its August. If you follow the trend on this so-called blog, its the time of year where I decide to make a roaring comeback to posting on a regular basis... And I fail miserably. You simply need to look at the last two posts. Sheesh. So, here we go yet again. 

Let's catch up first. The COVID 19 pandemic continues despite almost everyone's "return to normal" and refusal to wear masks or take the smallest of precautions any longer. Mom and I still mask up on the bus, at the doctor/dentist, shopping, etc. Restaurants? Its a bit pointless, no? We still don't have large gatherings with friends or family and the people we do meet up with, we know they've been vaccinated so that gives us a bit of reassurance. One thing I am grateful for re: the current pandemic? The highlighting of mental health issues and a renewed focus taking care of yourself that it seems to have brought along with it. Both of these things have become part of my life in 2022. 

A couple of months ago, at the urging of my mom, I went to talk to my doctor about some issues I've been dealing with. I thought I had a good handle on life (all things considered over the past few years) while recognizing I have been becoming quicker to anger/getting angry or frustrated when dealing with even relatively minor issues at times. After a suprisingly VERY emotional conversation with my doctor, I have been diagnosed with anxiety. Medication has made an improvement and I am grateful for the accessibility (and health coverage) I have. Therapy is an option my doctor is encouraging but we've agreed it can be re-visited later. In the meantime, I am focusing on finding and focusing on activities and experiences that bring me joy and calm. 

Last year, Mom and I took weekend roadtrips near Edmonton to visit the province's "Big Things". This was a lot of fun but we've run out of "local" things to see (within 1-1.5 hours drive). We also started doing short hikes near Edmonton. I was mildly surprised at how much I enjoyed this activity last year and was really looking forward to starting up again this year. 

We've been heading out almost every Sunday morning (and the occasional Wednesday) for hikes at nearby parks, nature reserves and sanctuaries, and basically anywhere we can find a decent trail. The fresh air and exercise have been great - its good to feel sweaty and tired after pushing yourself. At the same time, I've found the peace, calm and relative solitude that my mind and soul have been so desperately needing for far too long. Sure we've had to fight off ravenous hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitos and sidestep steaming piles of bison poop but we've also seen deer, beavers, hundreds of ducks and other waterfowl, foxes, rabbits, and soooooooooooooooooo much green. Forest bathing or forest therapy has become a regular part of our lives and it has worked better than I think talk therapy ever could. Surrounded by trees, bushes, flowers, grasses... listening to the wind rustle through the leaves; the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. Just looking up into the branches reaching for that bright blue sky fills my heart and soul with so much joy I can't begin to describe it. 

So, STEP 1 in the return to blogging... I'm going to try and write more detailed updates on our weekly hikes here rather than trying to type the details into my phone where I make a ton of mistakes. This will allow me to go into more detail, post as many pics as I want and include links to trail maps or other items as needed. I'll still post on my Instagram account but there'll be a link to the blog in my bio that I'll refer people if they want more details. This should take us up until mid/late October depending on the weather and, of course, bear activity! 

STEP 2! Next year, Mom and I will be starting a balcony garden. Now, for those that know us, yes we alreay grow flowers and cat grass on our balcony. I'm talking about a vegetable garden on our balcony!!! Inspired by my friend Heather and her fabulous condo balcony garden, and my big brother who built a bunch of raised veggie beds in his backyard, not to mention the rising cost of just about everything, we thought we'd give it a try. We're in the planning process now, mainly focusing on how much space we have, where we'll put stuff where it will get the most sun and then we'll really hunker down over the winter to decide what we'd like to plant in the spring.

As for the winter? I'm not sure yet whether I'll blog much or what it would be about but I need to find something that comes close to bringing me the benefits I'm getting from our hiking over those long winter months. Preferrably something that doesn't require spending a lot of money... 

Stay frosty!