During the last days of summer, I had the distinct urge to be out in nature. Sure I work outside all day, but I couldn't ask for a better day to remain outdoors. It was one of those late September evenings where it had warmed up to 20 Celsius and the warmth lingered in the air, though the crispness of an impending fall tinged the atmosphere. The sun was warm still, a few clouds lingered in the skies and nary a breeze could be felt.
On my way home, I diverted to Rundle Park, a lovely park featuring wide expanses of nature, fountains, lakes, boat launches, mini-golf, tennis courts, day camping areas, playgrounds, frisbee golf course. There's even a swimming pool in the valley here. First I visited the recreation area which houses the boat launch and mini-golf course. Circling the pond, I meandered on, breathing the cool air, feeling the crunch of leaves underfoot (though not many). Still wide expanses of green grass, towering spruce, pine, birch and aspen spread before me. The evidence of this year's drought was highly visible in the birches and some aspen. Even the spruce had browning.
It's been a very dry spring and summer here. I'm sure we've set or at least matched records for lack of rainfall. The city crews have been around painting the pink line of doom for severely stressed and dead trees. It's sad to see so many but that is the way of nature. Autumn is proving to be wetter than all of summer. Vancouver, does this sound familiar?
After photographing the fountains and ponds, I drove up the hill to the river where I then walked the Ainsworth Dyer Bridge which spans the Fort Saskatchewan River, connecting Rundle Park with Gold Bar Park on the south side. I took several photos from this raised vantage point, relishing the quiet as the warmth slowly receded. What a glorious vantage point!
I'm so glad I took that detour. It was an incredible little bit of a last hurrah for summer.
1 comment:
Such a beautiful area! Wonderful photos!
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