Nakasendo Trail Virtual Challenge COMPLETE October 8, 2023

The original finish date for this virtual challenge was set at September 26, I set that day on July 18, the day I started the Nakasendo Trail.  I was not able to keep up with the pace and fell behind.  During the days when the heat and smoke were at their worst and I was not "out & about" in it, I realized I may not be able to meet the deadline.  I changed the finish date goal to October 10.  I had a bit of pressure to get there but it was a more realistic doable date and I knew I could do it. I did it!  

with two days to spare

I put red stars to highlight the start and finish, with the blue line in between being the route.

This shows where the virtual finish line was, in the centre of Tokyo.  

In reality, this was my view today as I was motoring along to complete this virtual challenge.  

In total I received 20 postcards.  This was the final card that popped in just as I crossed the finish line.

"The Nakasendo terminates in Tokyo at Nihonbashi Bridge, “Bridge of Japan” and the heart of Edo where all Japanese roads began. When Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the construction of the bridge, his intent was to make it the central point from which all distances were measured throughout the country. It essentially made the bridge ‘the nation’s cartological zero point’.

The wooden bridge was replaced in 1911 by a beautiful twin-arched stone bridge with candelabras, four lions at the corners and a kirin statue in the centre. During the 1960s, Japan built a massive expressway directly over Nihonbashi, hugely overshadowing this once highly significant and historical bridge. The views are now long gone but before the expressway, on a clear day, Mt Fuji could be seen from the bridge."

My metal will be in the mail this week.

The Nakasendo Trail was the 14th Virtual Challenge I completed.  At this point, there are no other challenges that appeal to me so I will not be signing up for another one.  I will monitor the website for the new virtual challenges that are presented and if one jumps out at me then I will jump on board.  

Haskayne Legacy Park October 3, 2023

The reasons for visiting the newly opened Haskayne Legacy Park today were twofold, I wanted to see what this park was all about and I had hopes I would get to savour more autumn shades.  The grand opening was finally held on September 16th.  Why I say "finally" is construction began in 2018, it was completed in 2021, but issues came into play with acquiring public access and road allowances.  The Park is just a short drive west of the city and sits on 126 hectares of land.  I had to pay attention to the road access (paved & dirt) to get there as the road is newly built and does not yet show up on google directions.

After leaving the parking lot, I walked towards the main park area where the facilities are.  It was a gorgeous morning and I could already see those autumn hues.  

sitting area with a gas fireplace

There were two harvest picnic tables off the paved walkway.  

Each table probably holds about twelve to sixteen people.

There was an even larger harvest table under the sun shelter.  

Many sitting blocks were scattered here and there with rope handles to move about.

view into the covered sitting area

looking out from the covered sitting area

The Pavilion remains closed until 2024. 

It will be available for bookings such as events, weddings and educational programs.

grey building is the washroom facilities just east of the Pavilion

After checking out all the facilities, it was time to head down the pathway to walk for a few kilometres.  The path is paved and flat.  There is a train track crossing and on the other side is where the pathway carries on west.  

along the pathway

view of the Bow River and Bearspaw Reservoir from along the path

There are signs to remain on the path.  The route heads west through "foothills rough fescue grassland". Only 16% of this fescue grassland that has been untilled and in its original state remains in Alberta.  Less than that is in healthy condition. 

 This is where Haskayne Legacy Parks meets Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. 

This is all a part of the Trans Canada Trail.

The autumn shades were gorgeous!  My turn around point for today is that sun shelter in the middle right in the photo. That is the most eastern shelter in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.  It was also a good spot to sit and savour the scenery and some snacks.

view of the grasslands and Bow River looking west 

There were a few spots where you could get closer to the river.   

some had benches to sit on

a beautiful view from the pathway

I crossed back over the tracks and followed the path back to the Pavilion.

Before heading home, I enjoyed a little time sitting at one of the big harvest tables to finish off my snacks.  This was the view in front of me.  There is another dirt trail to the north of the facilities but I did not hike along it.  I know I will be back to this beautiful place and I will walk that trail then.  

Bowness, Baker, Bowmont for The Colours October 2, 2023

With all this lovely weather, plus the gorgeous autumn colours and with only a few dozen kilometres left on my Nakasendo Trail Virtual Challenge, I want to be "out & about" as much as possible.  Soon, all three of those reasons will come to an end.  Today's calling came from the trio Bowness + Baker + Bowmont Parks where I could cover a good distance connecting the three.  

Bowness Park is where I kayaked this summer and skated last winter, both of which offered up fun times and pretty scenery.  Right now it is between seasons, yet this season here is pretty too.  Being a calm morning, reflections were perfect.  

 The colours were prime & pretty along the Bow River.

Today, October 2nd, the Trail looked like this!

Last December 4th, the Trail looked like this! I captured this photo while skating. Potentially, in two months, I could be lacing up my skates and etching new designs on a beautiful blank canvas. 

Baker Park in on the opposite side of the Bow River from Bowness Park and this is where the Siberian Larch Trees are located.  I meandered off the main walkway towards another forest area in search of the golden needles.  They were as prime as could be which is a bit early this time around.   

In another area of the Park, I watched the leaves fall from this tree.  

I like this look with two leaves falling to the ground.

Bowmont Park came next!  The shades of autumn were stunning!  This Park is a great place for spotting birds and ducks. The only birds I saw today were Black-Capped Chickadees, yet there were loads of ducks.  There were two ponds to stroll around and many dirt trails through the treed areas.   I made sure to "remember to breathe" here because I know, with a day or so of winds, the trees will be bare.  

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary October 1, 2023

The look was gloomy dull and grey, which I prefer to call "atmospheric" because that word gives me a positive vibe, as I strolled down the trail towards the area of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary where all the goings on would be going on.  That was my hope anyway!  Lots of leaves were down after yesterday's blast yet thankfully loads of autumn colours were still in existence.  

The goings on were not going on so instead of bird spotting, I strolled the trails getting my fill of fresh air air and exercise.  "Be patient, goings on WILL get going!" was what I told myself.  The clouds began to clear and the colours started to explode.  My eyes perked up!

Birds and ducks were doing their morning thing, no matter if it was atmospheric or sunny and bright, they will do what they were born to do. This duck stood out amongst the Wood Ducks and Mallards.  There was only one, it looked like a Grebe but it looked too little.  It was continuously diving into the water so it was a challenge to photograph.  Every now and then the sun shone on it and I could see its colouring better.  When I got home, I used my Bird ID App to make an identification.  It is a Little Grebe! If that is the case, this is a"lifer" for me.  This is what eBird said about it.

"Fairly common but often inconspicuous small diving bird of wetlands with bordering reeds and other vegetation. Often remains out of sight; less often out on open water (mainly in winter). Rather compact, with rounded head, puffy rear end. Seen mainly as singles and small loose flocks, often sleeping during the day. Breeding plumage often looks dark overall; in good light note dark rusty head and neck sides with yellow patch at base of bill. Nonbreeding plumage dingy pale brownish overall with dark cap."

By now there were various types of "goings on" going on!  

The one I began paying more attention to was the display of gorgeous autumn hues.  

Off each needle on the trees, hung a droplet of water.  Look closely, a whole wonderful wee world can be seen within each.  What my camera lens picked up in the droplets, I could not see clearly with my naked eye.  

It was turning into a most beautiful morning here at The Sanctuary.  

most every trail I walked offered up a canopy of colour

If there was not a canopy, there was a reflection or a beam of sunshine.  I don't usually care for big messy sun flare bursts but this one appealed to me with its many colours shooting out.  It was "goings on" like this that were capturing my attention more so than the birds and ducks.  

incredible colours and reflections

a usual suspect the Great Blue Heron

view along one of the trails

tree alongside a trail

A few hours passed by now and I was ready to call it a day.  

As I took one last look into the Lagoon, I spotted this mink.  

I watched it for awhile.

As I exited the gate a small rabbit species darted across the trail in front of me.  It was too quick and this was all I captured when I snapped a shot.  Now it was really time for me to hop on out of here and head on home!