We went out early with Jackie and Jillie for our ramble through the forest trails today. A beautiful day, as it happens, balmy though overcast. Even the wind seemed almost tropical. Because it was so mild, the snow accumulation of our snowstorm several days earlier was melting rapidly off the deck canopy. The snow in the backyard has been much reduced. 

 

We surmised that the trails in the ravine would be reduced to a softened state, but as it turned out that wasn't the case. It's always a few degrees colder in the forest than it is out at street level. The depth of the ravine in particular holds on to its snow. And the cold radiating up from the forest floor adds to the colder atmosphere. Nonetheless, it was beautiful.

 

 

For one thing, though the snow cover is gradually melting even in the ravine, filling the rushing water of the creek with its cold, clear runoff, the new blanket of snow still appears ... well, new. Unblemished so to speak. The raw detritus underneath has not yet put in an appearance.

 

And because it was such a beautiful day, and likely also because it was early in the afternoon of a winter Sunday, we decided on a longer circuit for today to remain out for a lengthier period of time. As long as we left enough time to finish up a few things at home and then leave for the airport for a scheduled 4:00 p.m. arrival from Vancouver.

 

 

There were quite a few dogs out as well, taking their people for a leisurely stroll in perfect hiking conditions. The trails haven't been victimized yet by the milder weather; they're firm and broad and make booting it along that much easier.

 

We came across several people we haven't seen in ages because of the time of day; their outing time doesn't mesh with ours. We've known both of them for years. One, two years ago suddenly lost her husband to the effect of a COVID Astra Zeneca injection which in hours of his having been vaccinated affected his heart to the extent that, as the attending MD at the hospital they rushed to caused his heart "to explode".

 

 

The other, whom we came across separately, told us she had caught what she thought was a cold from her granddaughter back in December. The test she took registered negative for COVID, yet she had all the symptoms of the virus. And she still suffers from some of those symptoms, notably loss of taste and loss of smell. Apart from feeling energyless most of the time.

 

 

All of which make us very grateful that we somehow have managed to evade any of these  unfortunate occurrences for the past three years. Both women -- who, as far as we know, don't know one another -- find comfort and serenity in the forest during those times they persuade themselves to take their canine companions out to refresh their souls.