lindaskelton

Snow. It has come.

Posted on November 6, 2017 by lindaskelton

No sooner were we back from our wonderful fall-tacular road trip then it began to snow; the very next morning there was a light layer of frosting on everything, ready or not!

But it was not enough to amount to anything ski-able. So…as is customary at this time of year, the local Nordic Center unpacked all the snow it had saved under its great pile of sawdust all through an unseasonably hot summer…and laid a Cross-country ski course for all the athletes who come for miles around to get a jump-start on their training.

It was quite a peculiar process to watch…

But the product made everyone happy–kids and skiers alike!

Then followed some quintessential fall days and we had the grandkids out for the weekend…

Perfect timing, for after that the snow came in earnest!

And now we are able to ski right out the back door!

–LS

Fall Roadtrip

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by lindaskelton

We returned just over a week ago from a delightful road trip.

There isn’t a better time of year for a roadtrip than the fall, and certainly no better reason than visiting family!

So with Jim’s seasonal work having fallen away we drove off for the triangle tour to visit the far-flung grands and their parents ( : and assorted aunties ( :

And it was beautiful–the weather for traveling, the trees turning, and our favorite people to get to spend time with…

The first wobbly side of the triangle– 425 miles to Prince George

Segment two of our wobbly-sided triangle–550 miles to Powell River

Home to our newest grand one–JAXON! who has just turned 5 months old, and has already had two hair cuts!

The weather in Powell River was stunningly unseasonable for October; we even got out for three tandem rides, including the daunting rigors of Wildwood Hill.

And it was a great treat to get to spend (Canadian) Thanksgiving with all three of our girls, and their men…

And to take a walk all together to one of my favorite destinations–well, that was just delicious soul food!

The final leg of the triangle home

This stint was the longest; 645 miles plus ferry waits, which thankfully were minimal (whew!), makes for a long day.

But it was oh so worth it!

And the hillsides were painted in fiery reds and oranges, more stunning than I recall ever seeing them! But then again, that’s one of the perks of old age, isn’t it?–you forget things and get to experience the wonder all over again!

–LS

God has made everything beautiful in its time.

Eccl.3:11 ESV

As Autumn creeps over the landscape

Posted on October 5, 2017September 26, 2017 by lindaskelton

We have largely neglected exploring K-country, as the region between us and the Calgary kids is called. But one evening we took a little stroll and were pleasantly surprised with this view of the Kananaskis River–

I’ve been reading Wendell Berry’s nostalgic memoir of Jayber Crow, local barber of the fictitious town of Port William, Kentucky. The presence and imagery of the river running through it figures largely in his story so these pictures seem just right for a bit of setting ( : for an old man’s musings…

Now I have had most of the life I am going to have, and I can see what it has been. I can remember those early years when it seemed to me I was cut completely adrift, and times when, looking back at earlier times, it seemed I had been wandering in the dark woods of error. But now it looks to me as though I was following a path that was laid out for me, unbroken, and maybe even as straight as possible, from one end to the other, and I have this feeling, which never leaves me anymore, that I have been led. I will leave you to judge the truth of that for yourself…p.66

Some more of our ramblings that evening:

I’m fascinated at the variety of ways things go to seed!

I snapped this picture on another lovely evening stroll in town along the river…

One morning I said ‘yes’ to an invite to go walking. My friend appeared at the door with a big backpack and I realized this was going to be more than a little stroll! We checked out the Highline Trail just behind and above our house. Fancy that, it’s been here all this time and I’ve never followed it for more than 10 minutes… We followed it for 2 1/2 miles before turning back, disappointed that there had been no view, but glad for the chance to visit.

Our latest discovery is the trails that climb to Grotto summit on the other side of the highway–what’s known as the ‘sunny side’ because at this time of year the sun begins to neglect our side and leave us in the shadow of the mountains all day long for the rest of the winter, until spring comes round again ) :

We look across at the sun shining on these slopes and long to be there. So Sunday afternoon we finally got around to going over there to see what it is like!

The tallest tree in the center of this picture marks roughly the location of our home at the bottom of the Three Sisters.

And back home again… fading pinks invite the last of the season’s moths

and our resident squirrel perches on my new bike rack one morning, as though joining us for breakfast!

And those are our latest out and abouts in the Bow Valley. Next time, I hope to feature a road trip and some light glinting off a familiar ocean strait if we’re lucky enough to find sunshine on the Coast!

Till then,

This is what the LORD says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18

[oh, and if you’d like to sample some more of Jayber Crow stop by my Quotes and Notes blog (https://dictationbydawn.wordpress.com) where I’m posting weekly snippets. This gentle soul is coming alive to a group of us who are reading and discussing together at Living our Days (https://michelemorin.wordpress.com/) on Thursdays.]