Mountain Memories

The clean scent of pine fills the air as we begin our hike to Chester Lake. A steady climb up for 40 minutes has my heart pounding. I wonder why my head feels a familiar dizziness. Ah, the altitude, that's it. Haven't felt that since leaving the Andes mountains years ago. 

We stop to catch our breath several times. Those are good opportunities to turn and look back over the valley to the snow-covered peaks beyond. A pair of chipmunks scurries in a clearing. We reach a snow-covered meadow. A few summer blooms peek out through the white and our boots crunch on the trail. A young Spruce Grouse hides behind a tree while his mother stands guard closer to the trail. She doesn't move and I get several photos.

Canada's National Parks are amazing places. We enjoy today the foresight of past decisions to keep these areas free of development. 

The other hike we enjoyed was a short one to Grassi Lakes, where the water is the beautiful colour you see in the photo above. 

An American Dipper perches on a branch over the water, eyeing us carefully, but content to pose, turning this way and that.

We're home again now. The grass is cut, laundry is swishing, and everything unpacked. I picked 15 pounds of tomatoes and will begin canning/salsa/freezing once again. There are green beans, raspberries, kale and zucchini. Our lovely trip is a memory, kept in our minds to be brought out at will. Oh, and there's a little residual stiffness in my upper legs from the climb. 

Joining with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Judith of Lavender Cottage Gardening.

Beauty in the Wild

Yes, there was snow. None at first, then just a little beside the trail and soon we were crunching through the snow that fell yesterday, softened a little and froze again overnight.
 

The temperature was perfect for hiking, not too cold, not too warm. We hiked up to Chester Lake and then around the lake, picking our way along the scree on one side. We are so thankful that we are both strong and healthy enough to enjoy these excursions into the semi-wilderness.
 

Here's a photo of a Vancouver Island tree-hugger in the Alberta Rockies. Notice the new hiking boots? They made the hike even more pleasant.
 

A view on the way down. You'll notice most of the snow disappeared as we descended. But the vistas were just as awe-inspiring.

Confession time: These photos were taken with my husband's I-Phone. I lugged my new camera all the way up and back, but after a couple of photos at the beginning, my battery died. I was rationing photos because I forgot my battery charger at home. The last charge disappeared rather quickly. I'll know better next time. And an extra battery might be included in my bag!