Sunrise

I remembered to take my camera with me this morning on my walk. Heading east is the way to go! You get the best sunrises if you can get to an open space. Not easy but was able to get this distance shot of the sun rising and the busy street. Only 7:30 a.m. and there was lots happening. Of course, it is a work day so what else would you expect. A bit of dew on the ground causing some mist in the school field. Very pretty. By the time I got to the other side of the field, it had already drifted away!

Another warm day today - feels like summer - if the colors were different! Orange, red, yellow where bright green used to be! There is one tree on the road down from our house and it has the strangest looking leaves. I must take a picture of that tree and see what the name of it is - next time. I did pick up a leaf to show the jagged edges (on the right) compared to the common poplar tree leaf (on the left). Anyone recognize it? This leaf was quite small compared to most of the green leaves still left on the tree. Definitely Fall though with the leaves now turning color.

The blue sky was criss-crossed with jet stream...

Early morning mist on the school yard...

Sun rise ... interesting how the sun crossed the road ...

Early morning

I was up at 5:30 am this morning and it was still dark outside. I could actually see two stars in the sky. Even our neighbor was not up yet which is very unusual as he is always up around 5 am. For the first time in awhile, the pole light at the school was working and was obscuring some of my 'night' view. There must be something wrong with the circuit as sometimes it is ON and other times it is OFF. Not a lot of consistency! It's one of those little things you notice which can irritate you for no reason!

I went back to bed and actually fell asleep for another hour and woke up a few minutes before my alarm went off. I like that but wouldn't trust myself to do it on my own. It's like I will only wake up IF the alarm is set! Not very reliable! Kind of like my husband. He is up early, regularly, EVERY day around 5 am and if we are travelling and leaving early or if he has to be up for an early morning meeting, he will always set the alarm, 'just in case' he sleeps in! I tell him that he NEVER sleeps in but he won't take the chance. He says 'it will be THIS time when he doesn't set the alarm that he actually does sleep in!

Anyway, I got my cup of coffee and sat on the deck in the morning dark. It was so beautiful. No wind, peaceful but amazingly...traffic noise. A steady hum. What I like best is the occasional sound of a front end loader or some kind of machinery. I know it wouldn't be the combines yet - still a bit early although I don't think there was any dew on the ground so some energetic farmer could be out there already! It's nice to sit and just 'take in' the sounds.  Right now the sun must be rising as I can see a pink/blue sky to the west -oh for my camera. You just don't get the good landscape picture of sunrise when a 'million houses' are in your view! Guess I will just enjoy staring up at the sky instead. Oh look...a plane flying overhead! Perfect sight lines as there is not a cloud in the sky. Welcome Tuesday morning!

Morning Walks

This morning was the perfect morning to go for a walk! Although it was a bit later than I wanted, it was still perfect. The smell of smoke in the air, obviously fireplaces burning to remove the chill (only 4 C), and the clear blue sky and sunshine - no wind - made it perfect!

I headed out with my pedometer attached and although I didn't go very far - my hip seemed to be giving me instructions on distance! - I still walked 4258 steps (which is further than yesterday's walk). I don't know how that will translate into feet or km but I am guessing it was more than 1 but less than 2 km - maybe 3 - but so much better than just sitting at the computer! I need to 'get outside' as well as EX ER cise!

Fresh air does something to your brain - or so I am told. Negative ions and all that! Seemed to work. I feel better, fresher and more awake. Hope it will 'carry me' for the day!

On a personal note (although this whole blog is really personal to me) - "a get well soon" message and "speedy recovery"to my sister in law who had some surgery' yesterday. Hope you are up and back at it soon!

More Camping...

Had a great week in Cold Lake at the Provincial Park. Arrived in the rain but it did clear up and the air was fresh and things dried up quickly. Always nice to have a fire. We were able to create a 'triple level fire' as the base is quite large, and has a two-tired grate - so of course we had to try it!

Triple decker fire

The paths within the park are wonderful as well - very long - and wide so could keep our eyes open for the 'bear in area' which was posted and the 'droppings of same'! He was everywhere!!!

Beautiful paths

There was a boat launch area but not a swimming area - you had to drive to the beach in Cold Lake if you wanted to do that. But the boat launch was nice - although it was overcast the afternoon we were there.

Fishing rod and reel with us - but no fish!

We went to the Cold Lake Marina and enjoyed the warm weather one day and all the beautiful boats. Took in lunch at Clark's restaurant across from the marina. We all enjoyed their clam chowder soup!

Beautiful reflections

Enjoying the nice weather

We also went to the airbase to watch jets take off and land. It was not as busy as we had hoped but there was still the thrill of 'anticipation'. A few helicopters helped make the afternoon special as well!

Hard to get the jet close enough and fast enough!

Just caught this trainer jet - but better than nothing!

The best part for me was looking at the clouds and of course the grain fields. Throw in a few flowers and you have a perfect day!

Grain fields (and clouds)!

More grain...

Angling Lake - near the farm

Just beautiful...

More of the same!

Ouch...snow

Woke up to rain with flurries added and the developing 'white roof' and grass! I know it will likely warm up again but it's a VERY sobering fact that winter is coming (and soon)!!

Camping

Well, it is time to go camping again. Kids are back in school and supposedly there will be fewer people in the campground and easier to get sites. NOT! We ended up with power only as all the full service sites were booked in the campgrounds we wanted to go to. So...we are up in Cold Lake Provincial Park with power only. That being said, it has only been a few years since we never had ANY services except a site! So, I guess I can live with it! I am going for the 'relaxation' and 'socializing with our friends'! You can always 'get by' if you have a fire!

The weather is supposed to be about 19 or 20 C and only possible light showers today and then the sun for the remainder. Hopefully by the time we get there, the weather will have cleared - although it is sunny here right now!

This will probably be the last camping for the season as harvest will be taking place likely next week. That means I will be a 'farm widow' for awhile! 

Well, off and running....