Road to Hana Virtual Challenge Progress October 31, 2021

When the Conqueror Team presented the "Road to Hana" as the latest virtual challenge a couple of weeks back, I knew I wanted to be a part of it!  The trek is advertised as being 103.6 kms in distance with a start location in Kahului and the finish spot in Hana.  The ribbon on this medal is replaced with a lei.  I ventured along that crazy beautiful road in Maui Hawaii back in April of 2015.  Now it's time to reminisce! 

I picked this photo to use as my marker along the "Road to Hana" route.  

This photo was taken on the balcony of my condo the day I arrived in Maui.  

When I joined this challenge on October 27th, there were already more than 7000 conquerors ahead of me.  I am sure many more have come on board since.

This map of Maui shows the route for the "Road to Hana" from the greet start to the checkered finish.  

You can see I covered just over 20% of the distance so far.  

virtual views along the way

This is a botanical garden at a private location called Haiku Mill that offers space for events.

the first postcard

I have not been attaching the stories that go with the cards, 

but I will for this card as it's not a long story and it sets the stage for what this place is all about.

Since beginning this virtual challenge, I have been going back and reading my blog posts from when I was in Maui, Hawaii.  The timing is perfect for viewing these sunny warm virtual views while my real life views are on the frosty side these past few days.

wintry days

With the weather forecasted to warm up in the next few days, I made an extra effort to make sure to get out and enjoy this cold!  The new snow paired with the cold equals beauty.   That is if that's what your eyes behold and mine certainly do!  

🐦Inglewood Bird Sanctuary🐦

 

🎃Nose Hill Environmental Park🎃

The water in the lake is low and frozen.  The grass sticking up from the ice was covered in frost. 

The top left bird is a "lifer" for me!  I thought oh just another sparrow but something seemed a bit off.  When I got home and did some homework, I found out it is a Snow Bunting.  They migrate to colder climates for the winter.  The heart is formed underneath the ice.  Mother Nature works some wonders, each piece of grass is coated in ice crystals.  My first time for seeing a Common Redpoll was a few days ago out in Kananaskis.  This time I saw a couple dozen all foraging together.  I focused in on one of these beauties!

venturing into the wild sketches

Twenty four seven, my dining table is covered in sketching supplies! When on a whim I feel the urge to lay some shades, everything is readily available.  When a thought pops up, I can quickly and roughly put it down on paper (before it just as quickly pops out of my mind).  The water colour painting supplies sit at the far end of the table, with hopes I will reach that far some day soon.  

For what ever reason, my mind has been wandering a little deeper to the wild side!  That is why I called this blog post "venturing into the wild". These are my two latest sketching projects.    

This one is done with india ink on a sheet of 7" x 10", 98 lb,  mixed media paper.  The entire sketch was done in pencil first, then the pencil marks were made lighter by rolling a kneaded eraser over top of them.  Four different nib sizes of india ink pens were used to sketch over top of the pencil markings.  I am working at maintaining a continuous motion with a steady hand when laying the ink.  This is what I say about this sketch:   

We are in their home when we set up our home away from home!  Be respectful!  Be aware!

This project took on a life of its own!  My intentions were to just sketch a wolf howling at the moon with some kind of camping scene within the body of the wolf. When I let my thoughts go off into a wild place, this is where they went!  This sketch was completed with Faber Castell coloured pencils on 9" by 12", 100 lb, Strathmore bristol smooth surface paper.  This is what I say about this project:

 My favourite kind of maps are those that lead me to wild places!

Big Elbow Trail October 27, 2021

With brand new winter tires on my vehicle, I now feel brave enough to hit those roads that take me to wild places.  I knew there had been snow recently in the Elbow-Sheep Wildland Provincial Park in Kananaskis and I wanted to be "out & about" in it!  The snow plow had just passed by the entrance to the parking lot. As I made the left turn into the lot, I could see I was the first here since last nights snow.   It would be easy to tell if I was sharing the trail with any wildlife.  

when the view began to open

a few centimetres of accumulated snow was just enough 

I arrived at Elbow Lake to this incredible view.  Someone from my private group messaged me saying they see a heart!  I did not see it until she pointed it out, and yes there it is at a sideways angle.  Do you see it? The wind was cold and wild out in the open.  I kept my heavy layers on as I knew I would be slow circling around the Lake while taking time to "remember to breathe"! 

reflection in the open water

As I hiked beside the Lake, I could see the wind whip up and swirl the snow on the other side.

crossing from the Provincial Park into the Wildlands Park

the sky beginning to clear

With the shelter I was afforded through the forest section, I could hear birds.  I stood still and looked for movement.  This is what I spotted!  This is a female Common Redpoll.   The male has a more pinkish chest.  I learned these birds migrate north for the winter months.   It was such a treat to see her!

Once again, I could see the wild wind whip up and swirl the snow.  

I donned every layer I had with me to stay warm!

I love these wild places! 

the creek still flows

My destination spot was the last wide open area where Tombstone Mountain was right behind me.

After capturing my wind measurement photo, I then tucked down slope a bit to find protection from the wind.  I settled for a little while in a spot where the tea could land in the cup.  Feeling refueled enough, I packed up and began the hike back the way I came.  By now a few other hikers were on the trail.  We exchange pleasantries as we passed. 

At times I turned around to brace my back against the wind. When I looked back this time, this view captured my attention.  Tombstone Mountain looked gigantic! The dusting of white gold along with the lighting made for such a pretty picture.  

When I arrived back at Elbow Lake, once again it was a slow go as I hiked along side it.  

I like how the ice is formed on this floating stump.

Almost back at the head of the Lake, I took one last look back.  

I was ready to head into the forest for the hike back down to the parking lot.  This was such a fulfilling day being out in that area.  I like the wildness of it and the snow and wind contributed to that.  In another month the gate on the highway will be closed until June of next year.   With more snow in the forecast over the next days, it was good to get out there while the getting out there was good!  

St Francis Way Virtual Challenge Complete October 25, 2021

The St Francis Way Virtual Challenge was the longest one I signed up for and I am happy to report it is now complete!  As I mentioned before, my preferred distances are of a lesser amount.  I found about mid way through, I began to loose interest yet I was not giving up.  As soon as I entered the last of the kilometres to get me around the virtual finish line, I then received my finisher's certificate! 

from Florence to Rome

The location for the end of this trek is in St Peter's Square. 

 I checked out the photographs that were available to us and this was my favourite.  

In a few weeks I will have my medal!

Since my last post on this challenge, I found I began searching for green areas and water locations instead of old structures and city sights.  Big cities, churches, museums were never my thing.  I would pick nature over history any day!    Sights like this one, Lago del Turano appeal to me.

I like the location of this Bed & Breakfast!

a gorgeous view of the Tiber River

St Peter's Square

final two postcards

The plan was this challenge would take me into the winter season where I could add skating and x-c skiing distances to the kilometres covered. With just over two months left in this year, I am going to enter another event to keep my motivation for being "out & about" in tack.  Stay tuned!

 

Bowmont Beauty & Carburn Colour

Mother Nature gave us two most gorgeous days where I could enjoy being "out & about" to finish off the final kilometres I needed towards my current virtual challenge.  After the recent rain, the water levels were up again and nature seemed to come alive here in the city as if it were spring time.   

An area where I knew I could get the klicks in easily with lots of beauty was around Bowmont & Bowness Parks.  As I stood on the banks of the Canal and Lagoon, I envisioned early mornings here etching figures in the ice.  I made a mental note to remember to get my skates sharpened. 

there were loads of leaves to swish through

This was a popular hang out for these wee birds not realizing why at first.  

It then became obvious someone had left a feast in the tree stump.

I learned the Common Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser ducks winter locally.  

The top photo is a female Goldeneye and the bottom a male Merganser.  

On this morning it was a frosty start to my visit to Carburn Park.  As soon as the sun started to rise, every bit of ice sparkled, the autumn colours became vibrant and the birds began to sing.  My intentions were to explore around the Park then head off on a trail to elsewhere.  That never did happen, there was enough to fulfill my needs in Carburn alone.

White-Breasted Nuthatch     Male Downy Woodpecker     Northern Flicker

There were a few seeds on the edge of the railing that must have been placed there yesterday.  This morning they were covered in frost yet still the Black-Capped Chickadees and White-Breasted Nuthatches fueled up on them.