Sleep.

Glorious sleep.... is what I would have had if Creepy dog hasn't recently learned that when I wake up, she gets breakfast. Needless to say, she has also learned that 10 minutes of pathetic whining, followed by barking and dancing on the bed is a good way to wake me up. 

Awake, and early too. Thanks Creepy.

Having spent the last day driving and pouring my weekly allowance of fun money into my gas tank, I was hesitant to hit the road again.  My alternative option was to tackle the increasing pile of house and yard work and so I compromised and took a quick trip out to the Elbow Falls area just outside of the city.  Sitting around doing nothing makes me a bit antsy, but then again... so do chores.

I have always wanted to find a good way to the bottom of the falls so Creepy Dog and I parked a few kilometers away and started hiking up the river bed.  We didn’t last long.  About 10 minutes later I began to see some rather large paw prints in the mud.  Originally, Creepy dog was brought into our lives to help keep me safe when I’m out in the forest, but now I would do anything in my power to keep her out of harm’s way including bare knuckle boxing a wolf if I have to.   So if looking out for the dog (never mind my own safety) means giving up on a good photo opportunity then so be it. I opted not to find out if the trail of prints lead to someone furry and hungry and we turned around and wandered some trails populated with a few more humans.  The camera stayed in the bag for another time.  It happens.

Proof! Keep in mind the size of my gigantic man-hands.

A few hours later I found myself at home with sunset quickly approaching and a location that I have been itching to revisit on the opposite side of the city.  I left Creepy in the capable and loving arms of her treat dispensing toys, threw my bicycle in the back of my truck and sped up the road.  I arrived at the Glenbow Ranch parking lot just as the sky began to change colour and raced down the hill on my bike. I arrived at the bottom with my hair blown about wildly, sniffling and watery eyed from the wind and bugs peppering my teeth.  Lucky for my sense of vanity, the park was absolutely deserted.  The solitude found so close to the city is something that always surprises me considering it's beauty but for now - I don't mind having it all to myself.  The park is large and I have only begun to explore what it has to offer, sticking to just one single location for now until I get it right. I set up the camera and snapped away while the local Ravens sat in the trees behind me and told me stories.

Glenbow Ranch Evening

Satisfied with what I captured and with a deceptively long hill to climb to get home, I packed up and started pedaling upwards.  By the time I reached the top, I had started mentally berating myself for owning more than a point and shoot camera. The backpack will only get heavier over time, if nothing else, this photography habit will help whip me into shape.