Stuck in the Polar Vortex

Looking out over the river valley yesterday the city certainly appears frozen. Virtually no traffic on the roads nor bridges and it's no wonder.  It was -29 but with the windchill it was -42 Celsius.

I really think the term "polar vortex" is not all that new, in fact research on the web would suggest it was known and used in meteorology for several decades.  This year, though; the media seem to have picked up on it and use the term freely to define the uncharacteristic cold snap we are experiencing this time of year. Regular highs for the end of February/beginning of March are -2 to +2 Celsius while regular lows are -8 to -13 Celsius.  (http://www.world-guides.com/north-america/canada/alberta/edmonton/edmonton_weather.html)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	-7°C / 19°F	-17°C / 1°F
February	-2°C / 28°F	-13°C / 9°F
March	2°C / 36°F	-8°C / 18°F

The lowest overall temperature ever recorded in Edmonton was −49.4 °C (−56.9 °F), on January 19 and 21,1886.

^[Wikipedia]  

^{Saskatchewan is forecasted to be much colder than  our province this week, with lows averaging -60 Celsius with the windchill.  I don't think I'd go outdoors for anything with temperatures that cold!}

Next week, however; we expect the temperatures to normalize again, getting near 0 and slightly above.  I can't wait and I'm sure most residents here agree. I'm so grateful this will be short-lived.  January is supposed to be our coldest month!  Looks like March came in like a lion so here's hoping the counterpart, a lamb, shows up at month's end.

Hope you're keeping warm.  What is your favourite activity to do when it's too cold to be outdoors?  I've been snuggling under a blanket, sometimes with the fireplace on, and reading a book or watching Midsomer Murders on Netflix with a hot tea at hand.

I'm linking up with Louis over at Louis' California Travels for Sunday Bridges.

Night-time Photography December 2013

December 12 - I went to see the McDades in concert at the John Walter Museum with Kim.  These photos were taken that evening.  You can faintly see a bridge in the background in the scene bottom right.

It was a lovely evening in a pioneer setting that allowed you, for just a few hours, to forget you were in the midst of a bustling city.  So nice.

Perhaps you'd like to visit San Francisco Daily Photo where Louis shares the Sunday Bridges meme.

Today I am also joining Mary at the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Reflections Upon Autumn, Horse-drawn Carriages, River Valley and Sunday Bridges

 Last weekend was the Fall Art Gallery Walk here in town.  We began our gallery tour with a horse-drawn carriage ride which travelled the area wherein the galleries are located.  We just so happened to be in the right place at the right time and were the first to board the carriage.  Loving it!!

The team and carriage with passengers are reflected 

in a shop window, above, as we stop in traffic.

Two different varieties of Mountain Ash. 

 Their differences are obvious in the fall.

Our loop through the downtown area took us to this road overlooking the river valley (North Saskatchewan River) where we could get a good glimpse of the autumnal changes and a bridge spanning the river.

Our carriage was drawn by these two handsome Norwegian Fjords.  Neither the traffic nor the adoring fans seemed to bother these two.

For more reflections and bridges, pop over to Weekend Reflections and Sunday Bridges.  

Coming soon, photos taken during the gallery tour.  I hope you'll pop back here for a visit to see the spectacular art in our local galleries.

Sunday Bridges

These photos of the High Level Bridge were taken from the Alberta Legislature Grounds last weekend.  The trees were then in their fall finery which, since the wind of the last two days, has recently departed to join the others underfoot.

For more beautiful bridges, give San Francisco Bay Daily Photo a visit as Louis hosts this weekly meme.

"Life Starts All Over When it Gets Crisp in the Fall" F. Scott Fitzgerald

The day's outing began with a trip to the farmer's market in St. Albert.  As we enjoyed the performance of Martin Kerr, an outstanding musician who competed on Canadian Idol, we noticed a young girl playing in the leaves.  She was highly entertaining and we, of course, had to photograph this mound of leaves with which she buried herself.

Maples are arguably the best trees for fall colour.  The few which line the street behind participant's tents shouted for attention and appreciation, dressed in their fall finery.

On our way back from market to our parking place we crossed Red Willow Park wherein this fantastic pedestrian bridge stretches across a body of water.

Above and below, a train bridge reflects in the water over which it passes.  It's a perfect day to spend outdoors photographing the sites.  Some trees, like the ashes, are almost completely defoliated while others are just beginning to turn colour.

In a rose garden, which serves as a memoriam for previous residents and gardeners of the area, is a stunning iron gazebo.  I love gazebos and all things of wrought iron, thus this beauty became the focus of several photographs.

The rose hips are enormous, ripe for harvest.

This is apparently a favourite tree for two young children to play in and "cast spells" (according to the young girl).  She is the self-proclaimed protector of this particular tree.

Along the walk on a hill beyond the rose garden is this railing with a built-in bench so one might sit and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

As we ascended the hill towards the street and Kim's parked vehicle, the dazzling red berries of a mountain ash begged to be appreciated.

Our day's wanderings conjured up a thirst which we fed at a local cafe decorated in parisian photos and accents of fall. The following quote, which I used in the title for this post, was on the chalkboard menu and it suited the day to a "T."

I am joining Weekend Reflections, Shadow Shot Sunday

 and Sunday Bridges today.