Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge Complete February 26, 2021

When the virtual finish line of this challenge became so close that I could almost touch it, I went into sprint mode so I could turn this into a reality!  I crossed the finish line this morning after covering 12.1kms (11.7kms was needed).  I received this certificate via email and in a couple of weeks an actual medal and actual certificate will arrive at my door.   

No more red!  The blue route and checkered flag shows I arrived back at Baddeck where I began this journey on January 4th.  Five trees were planted, one at each 20% completion interval.    

When I signed up for The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge I gave myself 100 days to complete it.  As time went on and I was making better than I planned progress, I changed the mission time to 70 days.  Nearing the end even 70 days had become generous.  Part way through the challenge I became a member of the Challenge Community and at that point my motivation skyrocketed.  It took me 53 days to accomplish this goal, being active only 40 of those days.  This was the journey I needed to be on these past two months.  Getting out, being active got me to a healthy place in my mind on those days when it felt like hope was fading during these odd times.  The Challenge was what got me out the door on those brutal Polar Vortex days!   It says "success" and it was exactly that in many ways.  

I have two more post cards to share and the story that goes with each.

The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge ended in Baddeck, the same place it started.  When I visited here in September of 2016 and after hiking The Skyline Trail then sight seeing along The Cabot Trail, we arrived back at Baddeck spending the night at the Inverary Resort.

The following morning while my friends were still sleeping, I snuck out to stroll while watching the sun rise.  It was a peaceful, gorgeous morning along the boardwalk.  Journeying along on this virtual challenge brought back memories of the fun time I spent in Cape Breton and its beautiful sights.   

This is my version of the medal I will receive.  I placed the final touches on this sketch the day before I completed the challenge.  I did not realize the lighthouse was "off" kilter until I finished it.  My first thought was well how fitting is that, so much is "off" during these crazy days in our world.  

Each day this week I was "out & about" covering ground.

 The goal in mind was to reach the finish line by the end of February.  

These are a few of the sights I saw.

Now it is rest time for a few days.  I knew before completing The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge that I wanted another journey to adventure along. While I have been down under to Australia, I have never been to New Zealand.  The Team is working on new challenges and I look forward to seeing what they offer.  

STAY TUNED!

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park February 19, 2021

My aim for this morning was to catch the gift of a beautiful sunrise at Glenbow Ranch.  I was not quick enough out the door to have success with that but I was early enough to be greeted by wonderful wildlife watching opportunities.  

I descended down the winding Tiger Lily Trail, rounded the corner at the bottom then there it was!  The moose appeared to be young.  It watched me, I watched it!  Many, many, many minutes later I was ready to move on.  I turned around to continue along the trail and spotted the coyote.  It watched me, I watched it!  When I began to move along, it moved along.  I continued along the trail and spotted a deer.   It did not watch me but I watched it quickly dash off catching a photo of it with all fours in the air.   

 view from the top of Badger Trail 

I had one goal in mind here!

Look closely, you can see I had success!

middle left, top middle

at the view point along Badger

With the wind that came through last night, the snow drifted over the beaten path and for lots of long sections I had to beat another path.  I was the first one up here this morning and made the way clear for others who would come later.  

I completed a large loop measuring just short of 11 kms.  

This was the final view before heading to the parking lot.    

The views were beautiful from beginning to end with snow that was still pure white and with fluffy white clouds scattered throughout the bright blue sky.  My experience here this morning was utterly uplifting, surely satisfying and absolutely amazing!   

hills & trails

Bowness Park Ice Time February 18, 2021

I missed that magical feeling of sailing along on the ice beneath my feet.  The weather conditions presented this morning called out that it's time again to feel that magic.  The temperature needed to be warm enough to bare my hands for the amount of time necessary to lace up and strap on my skates.  The weather over the past while took a toll on the ice surface yet the grooming crew are doing their best to keep it smooth. They were working their magic while I skated and in sections I was the first to leave my mark.  This time around I covered more ground than prior outings.  Skating on The Lagoon, The Ice Trail and The Canal, the distance covered was 14.5kms.  I am using my skating distances towards The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge.  The Support Team provided an activity conversion chart.  Approximately half of the  skating distance can be used towards my challenge.  As February winds down and spring approaches, I hope for a few more opportunities to feel the magic!      

this is my track for the 14.5kms

Nose Hill Environmental Park February 16, 2021

This morning's plan was to go watch the city wake up then get some fresh air and exercise wandering about up on The Hill!  The forecast was favourable for all that.  The roads from home to there still need to clear up so it was a slow careful drive.  The sunrise was gorgeous!  It always surprises me how many people choose to begin their day in the same way as me.    

Very soon on, I began to notice little snow ducks.  

They were about two to three inches in size. 

I chuckled to myself to see that someone was working at 

"getting their ducks in a row"!

Here are some of today's sights!  I came upon the largest fort ever up on The Hill.  This one even had a welcome sign.  There were many large open areas of untouched snow that were so inviting so I had to create a snow angel.  When the wind blows, every little piece of foilage that can move forms a pattern in the snow.  The clouds were pretty this morning and created nice photo opportunities. 

Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge Progress February 15, 2021

The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge is just under 300kms in total so with 220.4kms completed to end of day February 15th, I am beginning to get a taste of the finish line.  I saw photos of other participants with their medals and that gives me motivation to keep going.  I want mine! 

The red line is what I have ahead of me to Baddeck and the finish line.  

The red marker on the top right is my pacer who I have left in the dust.  

I just passed by some of the best scenery along The Cabot Trail.  

These are a few of the virtual views along the way.  I was in this area back in September of 2016 and we stayed at the cabins in the photo.  We hiked the Skyline Trail having the view in the middle right photo from along the trail.  We also stopped at all the scenic spots along the drive.   This is such a beautiful place and even more so in October when all the leaves have changed to red, yellow, gold and orange.

on that September day when we hiked the Skyline Trail

I already know I want to work on another challenge once I complete The Cabot Trail.  

These are my options.  

a long weekend

The days run into each other as do the weekends, the weeks even the months!  This was a long weekend for us, for me it's a stretch of three days that include Valentine's Day and Family Day.  This weekend too the Polar Vortex went on its merry way. Now I feel more merry about going on my way!     

Harvie Passage to  St George's Island February 15, 2021

With the sun up earlier I am now getting the urge to be out the door sooner.  This morning the temperature was still low and the windchill was high, so what, I went anyway.  No more waiting and seeing like it has been for the past many days.  I parked at Pearce Estates and wound my way through that park quickly in favour of spending my time along side the water.  With the Polar Vortex gone, so soon will all this.   I took it all in and the following photos and collage are what I took home.

By the time I finished it had not warmed up much. That's O.K. though, it will, so they say!

Confluence to Laycock February 13, 2021

These days of wait & see seem to be slowly yet surely coming to an end.  Once the forecast reached a safe pairing of temperature with windchill, it was go time.  I tested the winds first before spending more time out in the wide open.  After confirming the conditions were user-friendly enough, I exited the forest and headed to Laycock Park.  Not only were the views a joy to see today but also the two deer that appeared to not know where they wanted to go were quite entertaining.  I wondered were they spooked, were they playing, were they just racing around trying to keep warm.  This was the first day in over a week I felt warmth from the sun while "out & about".  There is hope!            

working with multi-media February 14, 2021

Over the past few weeks I have been learning about multi-media techniques with regards to sketching.  This style first came to light when I read articles about nature sketch journaling.  I liked the look of samples that were shown where water-color paints and colored pencils were both used in the same project.  Then there were samples that included writings with archival pens along with the paints and the pencils.  This is my first try laying multi-media on mix-media paper.  The sun, the water on either side of the sun, the sun reflecting in the water and the rocks are done with water-colors.  The words are with orange archival ink and for the balance of the sketch I used Goldfaber pencils.  I am not happy with more than I am happy with in this project.  I have lots to learn and I want to learn it!  Stay tuned!   

The inspiration for this sketch is from a little book I received a few years ago from my "valley girl" friend.  The saying is  a part of one saying in the book and my sketch is made up from two photos in the book with a touch of my own idea added.  Before doing the project in multi-media, I completed it first, fully in colored pencils.  This sketch was done on rough paper which I forgot I do not like. I remembered that in very short order but went ahead and finished it.  

Today will run into tomorrow that will run into the next that will run into Thursday.  

With a wonderful forecast, I will be running, well not literally 

but the days are looking good for lots of "outing & abouting"!

finding warmth in a polar vortex

 

living life during a polar vortex

Monday February 8, 2021

Today was forecasted to be one of the warmer days.  That paired with a snowfall last night, I knew I should get moving to accumulate more kilometres towards The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge.  During polar vortex days my starts are not early.  I watched! I waited! When the stars aligned as best they could, off I went moving quickly while admiring the sights at Confluence Park.

Tuesday February 9, 2021

Today was forecasted to be one of the warmer days of the next few!  I've heard that before!  That paired with loads of sunshine in the forecast I knew I should get moving to accumulate more kilometres towards The Cabot Trail Virtual Challenge.   Deja Vu!  I watched! I waited! When the stars aligned as best they could, I got out the door to once again enjoy the scenes at Nose Creek and Confluence Park.  I am so thankful to have this Park so close to home.  

Wednesday February 10, 2021

Today was forecasted to be one of the warmer days of the next few!!!  I'm due a homebody day!  Back on January 4th I mentioned the term "journal sketch" and shared a sample of my first and only attempt at that craft.  On this day dedicated to remaining inside, it's investment time in nurturing "nature sketch journaling".  I have lots to learn and there is loads of information available.  After today's lessons, this is the project I produced!         

This nature sketch is "memory journaling" as opposed to "field journaling".  My intentions are to create projects when I am out in nature while hanging in my hammock, sitting on a summit, picnicking in a park. Until the weather is right for that, time will be spent moving forward with this craft via memory journaling.  

A few things so far that I made note of are:

• observation about nature through sensory awareness
• having a more meaningful experience outside
• sketch with the mind's eye
• process not product
• draw maps
• write questions
• storytelling

There is an end in sight.  When that arrives I'll set my sights on living life during normal winter weather! 

Weekend Warrior

P O L A R   V O R T E X

We were warned!  I went into warrior mode finding ways to stay happy, healthy, busy and safe during these dangerous days of low temperatures with high windchills.   When experiencing a polar vortex at the best of times it can be a challenge to get through each day.  Given the level of restrictions we are dealing with right now the level of challenge became elevated!         

Low minus twenties celsius are ideal conditions to create balloon ice orbs.  These are some of this year's colorful collection.  I was pleased to see one of the hearts settled at the edge so when I removed the balloon, there it was, ready for February 14th.  I made a few more after this batch and once they were ready added them to the display.  They now sit outside my front door adding a bright sight for those that pass by.    

 

By bundling up in multiple layers and keeping a good pace, I can manage an hour outside.  Preferring to stick close to home to be on the safe side, once again Confluence Park was my choice place to wander during these polar vortex conditions.  This forest becomes more beautiful after each snowfall.  I know to take this all in because once a wind whips up, this beauty will be gone.    

I will skate again once we are back to normal winter-like weather, until then my etching is via sketching.  This is "The Ice Trail" at Bowness Park as I see it.  It is completed on a sheet of 9in X 12in bristol smooth with all prisma premier colors and touched up with a white gel pen.  When I began sketching from my photographs, the renderings were matching the photo as best I could.  What I am preferring now is to work from numerous photos and even from previous sketches.  I look forward to lacing up my blue figure skates again and creating more original etchings!   

Even deeper into the polar vortex today, I went back to be deep into the forest finding shelter from the wind.  Now with not a cloud in the sky only means we are open to colder conditions.  With yet another sprinkle of winter white on top of what we already have, I got to create fresh tracks once again.  Finding the right combination of winter wear makes being out for the hour bearable.    

After checking the upcoming forecast, I am glad I got out each day over the past few. 

It is onward and downward from here!