Winter ready

Winter clothing has been in use for a few weeks now. However the early winter gloves aren’t quite doing the job. It is time for the fleece lined leather mitts as fingers need the body heat afforded by mittens. Late autumn isn’t only on the calendar.

Last week, we had cold temperatures, high winds and rain again. It was our second week with Daisy, the golden retriever grand-dog and we walked the Confederation Trail between the raindrops again, only missing one day due to pouring rain.

As always, Daisy was doing zoomies along the trail, making the most of her freedom. Jumping, 

and high speed running were her favourites 

but a good stick never went astray either.

Once, a noise under leaves along the trail led to a digging session in the soil below the area.

After Daisy went home on the weekend, we returned to the boardwalk after more than a week away. Trees are bare now but rose bushes still have colour and rose hips which will be food for birds, squirrels, hares, foxes and coyotes over the winter.

The flock of ducks in the salt marsh is fewer in number but some still call the marsh home, at least until the water freezes.

Along the Rotary Trail, most trees are bare with a few exceptions. 

The exposed trunks are more noticeable now and a dragon appeared among the trees. 

We will walk the trails until snow makes them impassible.

Have a great week!

November trail

Yesterday was a beautiful autumn day. My husband and I were out on the Confederation Trail before the wind came up again. It had been a windy week, with winds gusting up to 80 kph some days. One day, the rain with the wind kept us inside all day.

Variety was the theme of last week as we walked the boardwalk, the indoor track at Credit Union Place, the Confederation Trail and the treadmill at home. 

Daisy, the golden retriever grand-dog came to stay during the week, making a walk more essential than ever.

My husband and I walk every day but a dog makes it an urgent matter. The Confederation Trail is the best option for such a walk. Several days we didn’t meet anyone on the trail. Without other walkers nearby, Daisy can run off-lead. She has the zoomies when she runs there, down over the trail, into the fields, back out, repeat. 

She always returns when called to be put on lead again for others to pass along the trail.

Daisy arrived with a huge bag of dog food which I lifted out of the car as our daughter brought her into the house. It was heavy, 14 kilograms or almost 31 pounds. I lifted it easily though which I attribute to the hand weights I use three times a week. 

We weren’t able to do a trail with elevation this past week. However, I increased the incline on the treadmill and plan to continue with it. My goal is to walk steeper trails in other parts of the island without being winded. We want to stay as active as we can for as long as we can.

At the boardwalk, the ducks which usually hang out in the salt marsh were in the bay and along the shoreline one morning. It looked as if the collective had decided on a change of scenery for the morning.

Most trees are bare now, with a few exceptions. The trees are ready for snow again though we haven’t had any yet although temperatures are in the low single digits most days.

We have Daisy again this week and may not get any further from home than we did this past week. However, we will enjoy our time with her and make the most of it. It may be too cold to sit on this bench however.

Have a great week!

Hello November

Last week was wild, weather-wise at least, with several windy wet days, some of which kept us in the house. The annual Hallowe’en celebration was delayed for a day but even then, the wind was howling. At least it didn’t rain on the children that evening.

My husband and I enjoyed the local Rotary Trail early last week, where exposed areas had already lost most of their leaves.

Yet, in more protected areas, some leaves held on and were stunning.

It rained so hard another day, we walked the track at the recreation facility/conference centre in Summerside known as Credit Union Place. It is a beautiful facility with a walking track, 

two ice surfaces, a bowling alley and gym, conference rooms and more. We walk the track on occasion but prefer walking outdoors when at all possible. 

The last several weeks, my husband and I have walked at least one day per week on a trail with some elevation to help improve our cardio health. 

Last week we returned to Tyne Valley to a trail we did last spring. We both saw an improvement in our performance on that trail so our efforts appear to be paying off. 

That day at Tyne Valley was sunny and our walk along the river trail was a beautiful combination of October leaves and November branches as seen in this photo.

The presence of the evergreens lining the river bank and the water reflecting the bare deciduous trees feel like nature’s way of easing us into the reality of November.

The leaf-covered trail was crunchy under foot and as we walked, some of the last leafy hold-outs fell around us. It was a treat for the senses as sight, sound and smell of the autumn forest all came together.

We shared the trail with rodents, several squirrels busy collecting food and chipmunks disappearing under the leaves to avoid the human intruders.

Closer to the ground, in areas less affected by the wind, there were locations where some leaves, especially maples still clung to young trees. 

Last week, we also enjoyed the activity of a Bald Eagle several times, as it hunted along the shoreline of Bedeque Bay in Summerside. 

Yesterday the bird sat atop a tree in a place we hadn’t seen it before.

However, humans frequent this whole area and obviously the eagle tolerates us. 

Along that shoreline, the rose bushes and other shrubs are colourful for another week or two,

beautiful against the autumn sky.

We spotted a Gadwall in the Trout River last week 

and locally, a hybrid duck, part Mallard, part Black Duck, enjoyed the salt marsh. 

The marsh is flooded enough now to support over forty ducks.

Finally this week, a shout-out to the Blue Jays. Thanks for a spectacular season!

Have a great week!

Autumn Magic

My husband and I spent some time this past week enjoying leaf-covered trails and roads around our area of Prince Edward Island. A street in Summerside which is lined with numerous maple trees, is a great place for a walk any time of year, but especially in October. Now as you walk along, leaves are falling all around. Sunlight through the trees shines a spotlight on various shots of colour. The result feels almost magical.

We had two picnics during our travels, one of which was at Cavendish Grove, one of our favourite places on the island. The picnic tables are placed throughout the Grove for another few weeks 

and bikers and walkers passed nearby as we enjoyed our picnic in the afternoon sun.

While there, I checked out the area of the glade nearby which was beautiful prior to post tropical storm Fiona but was devastated by that storm. I was pleasantly surprised to see that park personnel had worked on the glade so that one could enjoy part of the area again. While not returned to its original glory, the autumn setting was a wonder with its ceiling of leaves

and its maple flooring. 

Walls of colour appeared to dance in the sunlight and complete the decor. 

A Chipmunk enjoyed its lunch as I admired its home.

Another day, we had a picnic at Scales Pond after a walk along the Dunk River. It was cool that day, just 12 degrees C but without any wind, we enjoyed the stillness of the pond. The picnic table overlooked the water where fishers paddled in the quiet scene below. 

Three weeks previously we had walked along the Dunk River during the early autumn colour. Last week, the trail was understandably busy with hikers enjoying the day and the leafy offerings at every turn. 

This time, the forest floor was covered as many of the trees along the river trail had already shed their colours. Meanwhile, across the river, many of the trees were yet to shed, creating scenes which required photos. 

It was slow going but a spirit-lifting walk with oohs and aahs at every turn.

Another day, we visited the Millman Road, a Heritage red country road through farmland. The red soil is leaf covered now in many places, leaves blending with the soil in nature’s partnership. 

This tunnel of light and shadows draws us onward through the crunch of leaves underfoot. At the top of the hill another scene mesmerizes and as my husband walks ahead, I attempt to take it in. 

We walked the length of road and headed back to the car as a neighbourhood cat watched and listened in a field for lunch.

On the way home, we passed French River and the countryside looked peaceful, fields resting after their summer’s work is done.

Closer to home, we found a field where a huge flock Canada Geese spend afternoons. The sounds of these birds, especially at take-off is a natural wonder.

We also walked the boardwalk this past week, where over forty ducks in the marsh can be observed chasing one another or “standing” as if to show off.

Finally, these Blue Jays are prepared, like the baseball team. 

Have a great week.