So much for Environment Canada confidently predicting that this fall would be somewhat warmer than usual. We've since had no end of rain events, and temperatures more likely to relate to early-to-mid-November than mid-October. Mind, on the positive side we've also received our seasonal allotment of sunny days, so that fairly well balances things out. That balance can be seen in the spectacle that awaits us of glittering colour in the forest, displays of kaleidoscopic brightness both on the forest floor and on those trees that have not yet lost all their foliage.

Cold enough for headgear, cold enough for gloves, cold enough for well-lined fall jackets and correspondingly-warm thick socks tucked into hiking boots. These days call for more substantial, body-core-warming meals. So yesterday that turned out to be a vegetable-thick beef stew, introducing a winter menu in October. And while I was at it, I decided to bake cheese croissants to accompany the stew, a good combination, and if proof were needed, my husband leaving not a scrap uneaten.

To further balance things off, yesterday's bright skies led to an heavily overcast morning, elongated into the afternoon and finally, the evening. Cold, wet rain, lots of it. To challenge an already-sodden landscape to absorb even more moisture. To burden trees with the weight of rain bringing down even more colourful leaves. Robbing us steadily of the full picture of a landscape transformed into a blaze of ethereal colour.

By the look of the weather we were led to think there would be no outdoor adventure through forest trails for Jackie and Jillie today. Normally they wouldn't care, but for some reason they became quite excited and activated when they picked up signals that we were waiting for an opportunity to burst out of the house to advantage a trail expedition of raincoat-wearing dogs and their people at the first opportunity.

When the rain merely dripped from the canopy over the deck we took it as a signal that the time had come. My husband had earlier driven his truck to the garage to have it serviced and the tires changed to ice tires, then walked back home. He'd do the reverse again in the early evening when work was completed on the truck. Back and forth in the rain, but for reasons known only to him, another rainy day chosen to get that work done.

By the time we found ourselves in the ravine, watching the creek as it coursed noisily and stretched wide with an overabundance of muddy water giving ample evidence that the overnight and daytime rain had caused it to overflow its banks on its way downstream, the rain had lightened considerably, even while the ambient light in the ravine remained dim. The combination of dim light, rain and our adjusted eyesight illuminating the landscape beautifully, colours standing out demanding to be noticed.

It was obvious that this would be but a short lull in the rain. So though we made no effort to pick up a leisurely pace, we did concede distance, making this a shorter-than-usual ravine circuit. Not that Jackie would notice; he doubles his walking distance at any given time with his nervous energy expenditure, back and forth, one side to the other, just so much of interest to investigate, while his sister maintains a more sedate pace, only occasionally joining him in a sudden spurt when he makes an effort to dash after a squirrel.

When we did finally complete today's circuit, ascending the hill to street level, there was a sudden burst of rain that quickly declined and settled into a light, fine drizzle. Which would soon enough develop once again into a deeper, more deliberately serious rain event to round out the afternoon.