On the day this piece is posted, there’ll be ten teaching days until the winter break. I won’t count today, because that’ll mean eleven days, and I just can’t handle the truth. Definitely snowed under at work, and it’s been like that for a while, so last weekend we needed to go and find some snow. The real stuff.
Meteorologists have forecast a cold and snowy winter for our little corner of Canada, and that prediction has warmed an old PlaidCamper’s heart. Contrarian! A real winter? Yes please! I felt shortchanged by last winter when there were too many Chinook winds and too few flakes. Snow flakes.
As we set off for the mountains last week I was feeling flaky, maybe slightly anxious with my high hopes for some real snow – the bright blue skies and a warm westerly wind didn’t add up to winter. Still, it was the weekend, we’d made our plans, and I’ve tremendous faith in weather forecasters. Also, if I only step on the white tiles (not the blue ones) along the hallway from my classroom to the exit, then the snow will fly. Scientifically speaking, this only works on a Friday afternoon, and I must be wearing my favourite toque…
The science behind the white tile approach to meteorology is very hard to explain, and I struggle to understand it – it is enough to know that it works every time (except for the times it doesn’t) – and it worked once more last weekend. The deeper we traveled into the mountains, the lower the temperature dropped. By the time we arrived near Louise, reasonably heavy snow was falling, and it continued to snow well into the next day. Yup, it had to be the white tiles.
We opted to take a hike, taking delight in leaving fresh tracks across the first snow, all along Baker Creek and down to the Bow River. The snow wasn’t deep, but it was enough to change the landscape and create something new. What a relief to be out in the snow, tramping back and forth along the river bank, and recharging instead of feeling snowed under. Snowed under? No, no, we were under the snow! Winter is almost upon us, a season to embrace, and it’s almost always a perfect time to take a hike. Feels good.
I’ll keep this short, and, like the snow last week, not at all deep. Thanks for reading, avoid the blue tiles, and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Wow, that looks like a fun adventure!
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Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
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Aah, snow! It’s been so mild down here, and with our travel plans, we may totally miss seeing any this year and that would be sad.
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Maybe you’ll see some snow, and it won’t hinder your plans!
I hope your weekend has been enjoyable!
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Snow! I absolutely love snow. I am headed up to do some plein air painting and snow is my subject. I am excited and hoping that I dress warmly enough, I feel like a big fat tick so I am sure I did. 🙂 Maybe on the way back, I’ll take a hike. Your post is a prelude to my little adventure. Lovely photos and your stories always make me feel like I hopped over to have a cup of coffee and enjoyed the fire alongside you and your wife. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Your snow picture in pastels was lovely, even if lugging all the gear wasn’t so much fun!
Glad you enjoyed this one, and it’s always great to have you visit.
I hope your weekend has been pleasant!
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I am about to go out to purchase a new/old winter coat, something warm and with a little length, since it is dropping to minus 20 this weekend.(Ahem, I have gained weight since last year and need to be comfortable).I love the beauty and the quiet when it snows. I like your shots in the mountains, was that grizzley a little close for comfort or do you have a long lens? As for the white tiles, whatever works! Enjoy it, more white stuff to come.
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I hope you found the right coat! The temperature is dropping here, and the snow was falling earlier – I think real winter has arrived!
We were a very long way from the grizzly, hence the grainy photo. He’s a young one, been seen a few times in the valley in the past week, but the hope is he’s found a den and hunkered down now that it is really getting cold. I hope so.
Thanks, and have a wonderful week – stay warm!
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Wonderful shots of the fresh snow and mountains and I hope the bear wasn’t following you in order to share that chocolate bar. Enjoy your weekend!
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He wouldn’t have liked the chocolate! The poor little guy has been spotted a few times by various folks, looking a bit sorry for himself, as if he hasn’t quite figured out the finding a den part. We’re back out there in the next week or two, and hopefully there’ll have been no more sightings and he’s got himself sorted for winter…
Have a great week!
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Fantastic post! Your photos were wonderful, as always. Enjoyed the chocolate advice. REALLY liked the white tile philosophy, chuckled as I read several times. Easy to see the hike was uplifting, and I remember last winter you not liking the scant snow, so I am SO happy for you. Lastly…so GREAT that you saw a bear and captured it! Wonderful adventure, thanks for sharing it my friend — and have a fun weekend. That break is around the corner.
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Thanks, Jet! I think I got all the white tiles on Friday, because the snow has been falling and the temperature plummeted today – winter has arrived!
The bear was an eagle eyed spot by Mrs PC. He was at quite a distance and ambled on by. Just a young one, with several recent sightings by a number of hikers in the area, and the hope is he’s settled down now.
I hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
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Can’t wait for our first snow fall here in Virginia. Looks beautiful over there! And by the way, that is a giant bear! What is it doing awake??
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We are finally getting some decent snow – even in the city (although not many Calgarians seem to like snow in the city!) Turning colder, and about time too.
Most bears have turned in by now, so this was a bit of a surprise. He’s not that big – although they all seem big when they pass by! – actually quite young according to people living in the valley, but hopefully he’s settled down now.
Thanks, John, and here’s hoping you get some decent snow soon!
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Glad you made all the right steps for the weekend, PC, as you count down the days… Love that photo of the pine above the Bow, and how fortunate to see yet another bear, though I’m thinking, by the looks of it, the bear may have wanted to step on blue tiles rather than landing its paws more on the white. Great job!
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Thanks, Walt! Have to say, the bear did seem a bit sorry for himself, not that we waited around to ask. A young one still figuring out what to do next – age aside, he’s not the only one! We’ll be happy enough not to see another bear for a few months, it’ll mean the weather is doing what is expected – could use a little certainty just now!
I hope you’ve had an enjoyable weekend!
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Hello Plaid Camper – thank you for the post and the great photos. My favourites are Fresh and Along the Bow. I think Unexpected is a very unique photo.
When we are snowed under or overwhelmed, it is always a great idea to take a hike! A hike is good for the body, mind, soul and spirit.
Have a great week
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Hello Pandora – I hope you’ve had a pleasant weekend!
Glad you enjoyed this little hike, and the photos. Being out along the Bow, especially after snow, always lifts our spirits, and it’s fun to share that.
Have a wonderful week ahead – stay warm if you’re about to get the big freeze these next few days!
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Your winter break will be here sooner than later 🙂 How fun with a real winter!!!
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Whaaaat – a grizzly out this late in the year? What a surprise:) Anyways, the scenery is lovely. Makes me miss Alberta! And before I leave I have to ask – what’s up with the blue tiles?
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good thing there were no brown tiles! You never mention the Grizz Adam?
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The grizzly was a young one that had been spotted in the valley a few times hat week, still up and about quite late – the hope is he’s sorts now and settled down. We were way back, and he showed no interest, just ambling along and then back into the trees.
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maybe he lost his mother some how & was confused about denning? Hope he’s sleeping peacefully. Thanks Adam
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All that pure fluffy snow looks absolutely wonderful. We rarely get snow here, have to drive three hours into the mountains in winter but I’ve always loved it. So invigorating. Thanks for giving me a fix of it today.
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Happy to give you a snow fix!
I’ve just got back from a four day trip into Kananaskis country with a group of students – the temps dropped to minus 35C at dawn, but it was so beautiful out there. There’s a post about it tomorrow if you’d like a bit more snow…
Hope you’ve had a pleasant week, and I’m looking forward to catching up with your blog over the weekend!
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Oh, that sounds absolutely wonderful. But soooo cold! Brr. I’ll definitely look forward to reading that one and seeing your photos, which I always love. Enjoy your weekend. 😊
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Great read thaankyou
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You’re welcome!
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