It's the transition that's difficult ~ Christmas Eve 2014

The longest night has finally passed. It's Christmas Eve and the day is glorious and fit for a walk.

Or a game of golf.












Isaac Asimov once said, or perhaps he said it through a character in one of his stories, "Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome."

As is the sand trap on number seven.

This transition thing is difficult.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

Walking the Squamish Estuary Trails

Within a short walk of downtown Squamish are some wonderful trails around the river's estuary, providing fantastic views of the mountains and life on the estuary itself.















Bordered by the Spit on the west, the Squamish Estuary stretches across the bay to the back of downtown. There are several trails and boardwalks of varying lengths.





The railroad tracks are walkable too, unless otherwise occupied by a train.

Trails wind their way over streams, through trees and tall reeds.

Over 200 species of birds pass through this place on their way north or south depending on which way they are going and the season. Any season is a good time for a walk and this place is ideal for just that. Anytime.

Some excellent information about the Squamish River Estuary, its history and development, and its future, is provided by the Squamish River Watershed Committee.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

Vancouver's first snow of the season

It was cold last night when we were out walking, to our weekly lesson en francais, and the air felt like snow, that heavy dampness kind of thing, as though the clouds were falling to earth.











Through the night it did snow and by morning, the skies had mostly cleared and the first snow of the season remained.






And remain it did through the entire day. There wasn't much, only a few centimetres. The streets were clear of course, but through the parks the white crust stuck, especially in the shade.


The birds were active at our bird feeder, which they are every day, but there was something slightly more frantic in their behaviour today.

This afternoon we went walking again, through the nearby park. The snow was more than a dusting, but only barely.












The shadows of the late afternoon revealed their own hues of blue and purple, reflecting the snow, and everything else.






















It's only minus six, yet it feels rigid, though nothing like our memories of the first snow in the Yukon two years ago. That snow happened early in October, and unlike Vancouver, once the snow starts in Dawson, it doesn't disappear until spring.



Our first snow of the season will soon be washed away and we will await the next snow day.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.