October is not the same around the globe. Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere may get the cooler temperatures and change of color, seeing the beauty of the yellow, red, or orange. And then there are others where the rainy season ends and the dry season begins.
There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of Autumn leaves – Joe. L. Wheeler
You ought to know that October is the first Spring month. – Karel Capek
Here’s to October!
Oh, Alberta. It’s on the bucket list of many and it certainly is, was on mine. September 2022.
The beautiful Canadian Rockies. Within four hours reach via airplane. It is worth it and a must see.
Canmore. A resort town of sorts. It definitely is a place to consider home. A great community to stay while you’re exploring the area. A favorite for brunch, breakfast was at Graze. https://grazefoodanddrink.ca/ The Graze Egg Classic was all-around fabulous. Hats off to the chef who contributed, did it all.
Banff. Walk the town. Take in a meal. Do the Banff Gondola. See the sunset. Have a bear (or a beer) at Three Bears Brewery https://threebearsbanff.com/, a lunch at Nourish (especially if you’re vegan). The Boss Bear Burger was a hit as well as their cocktail of the day. https://www.nourishbistro.com/. And for a real treat, have dinner at The Bison. https://www.thebison.ca/ The ambiance with the live music and the tasty meal is a showstopper. The Bison Burger, The Bison Caesar (pork belly croutons) and the Sunrise Meadow cocktail and Black Sage Cabernet Sauvignon was a hit! We missed seeing the elk herd walking the streets of town. https://banff.com/banff-gondola/
Check out the Jasper National Park… Icefields Parkway. The glacier blue lakes, the exquisite cliffs and jagged mountains against the blue sky. We took the trip to https://icefieldsparkway.com/ https://jaspercolumbiaicefield.com/ Staying here would be an amazing experience at the right time of year https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/hotels/glacier-view-lodge/
Lake Louise. Walk the trail or get in a canoe. Take in a bite and a view at the Fairmont Chateau Hotel. https://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/ I can recommend the Candied Farmers Vegetable Bowl. So good.
Don’t miss out. Plan ahead. Enjoy the beauty, the landscape, the destination.
“Soon everywhere, with glory through and through,
The fields will spread with every brilliant hue.
But high o’er all the early floral train,
Where softness all the arching sky resumes,
The dogwood dancing to the winds’ refrain,
In stainless glory spreads its snowy blooms.”
– Dogwood Blossoms. George Marion McClellan
Taken from the North Cascades National Park Service Complex post…Pacific Dogwood are in bloom throughout the park! Its white pedals are found throughout the park such as campgrounds and the North Cascades visitor center.
This may be a Kousa dogwood… check out the varieties here: https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-dogwood-trees-shrubs-subshrubs-3269662 Late May 2022, Renton, WA
So, Deception Pass State Park. The most beautiful multi-beach park beauty. I want my ashes spread at Rosario Beach, Deception Pass State Park…one day. Whether it be the views of the waterways, the rocky beaches and the walking trails, views of the most beautiful area of the world. #pnw It is peace and it contains Rosario Beach, Bowman Bay, North/West Beach of this beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest. I may edit this but on this last day of April 2022, I need to celebrate and share my pics of 04.09.22. It was a very windy day. A few of these pics are of La Conner, WA too. A great starting point of a beautiful #pnw day.
https://stateparks.com/deception_pass_state_park_in_washington.html
Happy 1st day of Spring!
Spring is painted in daffodil yellows, robin egg blues, new grass green and the brightness of hope for a better life – Toni Sorenson
On a mid-January day, Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park was a great landing spot for views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains, fog on the water and the beginning of a sunset worthy of viewing. The Puget Sound area was entertained by colorful skies and fog that continues to show itself.
In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!
– Mehmet Murat ildan
If you’re looking for a free day to explore Washington State Parks (no Discover Pass required). Where would you like to go?
Saturday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, March 9 – Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday
Saturday, March 19 – Washington State Parks’ birthday
Friday, April 22 – Earth Day
Saturday, June 11 – National Get Outdoors Day
Sunday, June 12 – Free Fishing Weekend
Sunday, June 19 – Juneteenth
Saturday, Sept. 24 – National Public Lands Day
Monday, Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
Friday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Friday, Nov. 25 – Native American Heritage Day
List provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation. https://deceptionpassfoundation.org/
Another free option is to check out your local library and borrow a Discover Pass. https://www.sno-isle.org/news/want-to-see-nature-borrow-a-discover-pass-from-us/
Or purchase a Discover Pass and help support the beauty that us Washingtonians are so fortunate to enjoy. https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.
“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” – Marcus Aurelius
Today is December 21st, Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the shortest day of the year.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.” -Albert Camus
Do you do anything differently? Go for a run, walk outside in the elements?
How are you celebrating? I’ll be watching the Seahawks vs Rams game but at the same time I’m acknowledging the change of seasons. If you want to create a new tradition to celebrate the change of this season, a few suggestions (thanks and credit to vivobarefoot):
• Make a solstice candle. Candle kits are widely available. You could go colourful, or add warming oils like clove or cinnamon.
• Create a winter mandala or collage – you might forage for materials on a winter walk.
• Make ornaments from paper and card – and ‘bless a tree’ – our ancestors gave thanks to the gods of old by leaving gifts in the forest (if you do this, make sure to use materials that won’t litter and don’t contain plastics – like glitter).
Or maybe you’ll find time just to take 5 minutes to pause and reflect on the turning of our amazing earth.
November is a month of transition.
The morning frost exists on the remaining autumn colored leaves
as we pivot to the festive holiday season.
Within 4 hours reach... 