Banff Cabin Retreat September 24, 2025

It’s just meant to be when the weather looks good, it’s a last minute idea and it just so happens that my little cabin in the woods is available on the nights I need it to be!  It’s meant to be!  After ten hours straight of sleeping, I woke refreshed, ready and raring to go, to go west, to Banff National Park.  My hope was for blue sky with lots of bright cheerful autumn shades.  I got exactly that the entire day along with much warmer temperatures than what was forecasted.  I roamed around a few of my favourite locations such as Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Cascade Ponds, along the Bow River and of course along Banff Avenue where I could make some investments. 

These are a few of the sweet sights I saw!

When I looked at this photo, I thought I was loosing my mind.  I swore I wore navy pants.  I changed when I got to my cabin so checked the dirty clothes pile, yes I wore navy pants today.   Not sure how this happened!

I like the names of the streets in Banff and I like the markers even moreso.

Everywhere in Banff was busy. I knew it would be. 

I mentally prepared myself for it and I did fine.  

What a treat it was to find the Farmers Market in full swing at Centennial Park.  

I found a larch tree!  

I enjoyed a slow saunter along The Bow River!

Time came to check into my little cabin in the woods!  

what's new with watercolours

For a scattered bit of time here and there throughout any given day, I have been swiping paint onto paper. It's following a tutorial, replicating one of my photos or creating a piece after an idea pops into my head. The supplies are easily accessible as they permanently sit at the corner of the table.  

Recently, I have been spending more time learning to paint what I call blob people.  Many artists provide online tutorials on how to make these types of figures come alive.  The following two photos are my version of blob people. I am happy with both yet I am not happy with the paper I painted them on.  As time goes on with painting, I am becoming more fussy about the supplies I use.     

After playing with these kinds of people, I found a watercolour lesson on how to paint a bird as if it were a painter itself.  I followed the lesson then painted my own version of a painting bird.  The idea popped into my head to pair the bird with blob people.  This was the outcome, a spread across two pages.  

I had already decided to use the journal, with the not so nice paper, as a practice journal.  How easily I forget!  This painting is a replication of photos I took while out hiking last Saturday at Ford Knoll. I did not include the two reference photos in my blog write up.  I was not ready to let go of the day, so delved back into Saturday by doing this painting (on the paper I do not like). 

Another tutorial I found was by a lady named Kendra, she posted a link on how to paint Horseshoe Bend in Paige, Arizona.  I visited here in April of 2013 and the photo below is my photo from then. After completing Kendra's tutorial, I then recreated a painting from my own photo. Memories came flooding back from that amazing eight day visit to Paige.  

I am calling it my "take away kit"!  It contains a watercolour journal, a pallet of paints, a collapsible water container, two bulldog clips, and five short handle brushes.  I placed all this beside a tomato to give a reference to size.  A few times over the past few years, I took along my painting supplies while hiking or while traveling.  The kit took up space and added too much extra weight.  Finally I think I have something that will work!

everything fits nicely into the bag

everything opened up

I have a couple of opportunities coming up where 

I plan to put my "take away kit" to use!

Ford Knoll : a test September 20, 2025

Stop the clock please so I can catch up! While I have conquered lots since May, there is still so much more to accomplish.  At times lately if feels like life is out of control.  I am constantly playing catch up and it is not a feeling I enjoy. Yet, I am reeling in my patience and focusing on progressing. Even though I have some plans in place to look forward to in coming weeks, I am still focusing on each day as it comes. Today's focus was to try my first real hike since May.  That meant a good distance of a drive, carrying my larger backpack with water, snacks, extra layer, bear spray clipped to pack belt, along with my tripod in the side pocket. Of course too, I had my camera and mini purse around my neck.  I aimed for the Elbow Valley area of Kananaskis, first to see Forgetmenot Pond and then to complete a small hike called Ford Knoll.  It's time for this test, doing something I love!

I left the city long before sunrise so I could arrive at the far end of Route 66 just as the sun began to rise over the foothills.  My focus was to get to the trailhead to hike but I could not pass up pulling out at the pullout to savour this sunrise scene.  

Instead of walking a complete loop around Forgetmenot Pond, 

I did an out & back to where I captured this panorama.  

The alpenglow was still in full swing. 

Now it was time to hit the hiking trail which was 

through this gate and down the pasture a short distance.  

Into the forest I go winding gradually uphill with dirt beneath my feet!

Once I completed most of the elevation gain, the views began to appear. 

My intentions were not to be a birder today but the forest was full of them.  At times I was distracted and forgot the purpose of why I was where I was.   This is one of a few Rod Crossbills in the area.  

a view across to Powderface Ridge with a steep drop in front of me

This was the second heart I saw today, the first being the framed photo at the top.  

Good thing it is important these days to look down paying more attention to my footing.   

a Spruce Grouse

A view of Nihahi Ridge along the way!  For this hike, I wore my hiking shoes rather than my hiking boots and I did not bring my poles.  I will incorporate those in hikes to come. Also, I tried to get a bandana on my head to keep my hair in place and out of my face but I had no success with that.  Once I can get that on my head it will be another graduation day.  

 a small beautiful waterfall

that had such a soothing sound

a Ruby-crowned Kinglet

view along the way

Shades of autumn were scattered here and there. This ground cover was adorned in tiny dew droplets. Speaking of moisture, I cannot remember when we last had rain. Everything is tinder dry, it has been usually hot for an extended period so far this September.   

I enjoyed seeing these shades along this section.

I passed through that gate marking the end of the hike. 

I just had a short stretch along the roadway to 

complete the loop and arrive back at my vehicle.

Now I had the one hour drive home ahead of me.  I was happy to make it home.  I was tired and happy.  Happy to have successfully accomplished what I set out to do. It is only uphill from here on future hikes, incorporating more distance, more elevation gain,  carrying more equipment.  It will all come in time slowly yet surely!

My heart's delight.....

.....is shining bright even through the wildfire smoke!  It is hard to turn a blind eye to the smoke. Even though I feel it in my eyes and throat, it is creating sights that capture my attention.  Summer days are winding down, the mornings are cool, the shades of autumn are appearing, this is a time of year which I love. 

💝

Upon arrival at Carburn Park, I was greeted with this sight!  While there is no mistaking in IDing this bird when you hear its song, it was speechless this morning.  There is no mistaking in IDing this bird when you see its silhouette!  This is my watercolour painting of the Kingfisher.  

 Upon arrival at the Pond at Carburn Park, I was greeted with this sight!  

What am I seeing?

A sure sign the smoke is upon the city, the sun shines bright in this shade! 

It's the reflection that drew me in!

Oh, by the way, the second photo above is a close up of the clouds reflecting!

Oh, by the way, this is my reference photo for my painting of the Kingfisher.

A few Robins are still hanging around.  Maybe these few stay local rather than migrate.  I am not sure why and how the background shows a beautiful blue sky day in this photograph, that was not the case.

a Merlin

four Cormorants spreading their wings to dry off

My heart's delight is being out in nature, walking dirt trails, meandering through forests and capturing special split seconds in life which I saw many of on this day. 

💝

As we got closer to the mountains and to Forgetmenot Pond on this day, it was obvious we would be enduring smoky conditions. Being here on a weekday at this time of year affords you peace and quiet.  Along with this we were gifted still as could be conditions.  I have come to appreciate atmospheric and moody conditions so I was able to appreciate these views.  

the sun reflecting in The Pond

playing with perspective

that rock is about a foot in size

always my favourite location for a photograph of Forgetmenot Pond

my friend at that location

me at that location

As we neared the end of our walk, blue brightened up the sky.

our picnic spot

While anytime at Forgetmenot Pond is special, 

it's extra special when you get to see the wild mustangs.

My heart's delight is being away from the city, surrounded by mountain scenery, experiencing peace and quiet, it feels like a rejuvenation.  

💝

I chuckled when I finished knitting this slipper.  It is not supposed to be that long.  I followed all directions, used the recommended needle size and yarn size.  My mistakes are obvious yet I feel my heart's delight in finishing the first slipper much sooner than I thought I could.  I am ready to start the second one and look forward to finishing it then donning them on these cool early mornings when I wake.

I hope your heart's delight occupies special moments in time throughout your day!