A little over a week ago, everything was still green.
The temperature turned cold, and a sliver of the old moon hung in the east at sunrise.
A couple of mornings later, the new moon peeped out over Finger Peak at sundown.
The weather turned clear and cold.
There had been the tiniest dribbles of rain – a few spots here and a few spots there. The yard was still a dustbowl, but the precipitation was enough to fill the pond. The next day, at minus 11C, it froze.
One night we had strong northern lights. They were not very active, but the solid green glow covered half the sky; it shone as brightly as a full moon and lasted for hours.
The red squirrels are busy getting ready for winter.
One morning we had a spectacular sunrise.
It precluded a whole day of rain! Total precipitation perhaps half a millimetre. It kept spitting, but there was never enough to make drops of water on the bushes. However, it enriched the colours in the marsh.
The ice thawed on the pond, and the ducks loved it!
Harry blends in like a lion.
Although the rain was paltry, I decided it was damp enough to do some serious burning. Both the existing road, and the new extension that I built, were lined with ugly debris that I did not have time to deal with before.
Some had been burned in the past, but much of that was in the spring when half of it was still frozen into the ground. By the time it thawed, it was too late to burn. So this last week, this is what I have been doing. (I did not want to leave scars in the bush, so dragged everything onto the road. Besides, it would still have been too dry to burn in the bush.)
The weather has been a mix of sun and cloud, some days a little warmer, and some days a little cooler, but the snow has never left the mountains.
Today I went to Nimpo Lake for mail and the stretch of Highway 20 near my turnoff was at its best.
But this afternoon a strong wind blew and the fire in the fall colours has faded.
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This morning I was reading “The Latest Morningside Papers” (that I had serendipitously found lying out on the road some weeks ago) and came across your letters. It was like reading a dream I’ve always wanted to live.
Many years ago my Dad and I drove to Yukon and Alaska (his dream) in a ’54 Ford truck he built.
I will be reading more now that I know you have this site and a list of books to read when I go to bed.
Harry is gorgeous; wouldn’t my Sonee love to run with him!
Hi Chris, I haven’t sent in a comment for awhile but I’m still enjoying all your posts. Your place is coming along. I was interested to see the lovely bright colours of your cushions and covers. Of course I love all of your photography but that picture of Harry in the grass is beautiful, I’m not a dog person but I guess I know a great picture when I see one. Your knee is getting better slowly, by next spring you should be able to use it more when you have too.
Cheers Toni
Hello
I wanted to let you know that there is a woman in the Robson Valley (me!) who always really enjoys and appreciates your nature blog, with the wonderful photographs. Thank you for posting!
Good you are able to get some of that burning done before the snow flies. We have done the same at our mountain place. So far we have only had a skiff of snow, but we know our working days outdoors are limited. Love the photo of your doggie!
What lovely photos Chris. I always enjoy my trip along memory lane when I read your blog. You are a busy woman…even on your own you put in full days. Here, no hard frost so colourful leaves linger. We’re winterized-garden put to bed, tires changed, water emptied etc. Ken is building urns as all he has on hand are spoken for. He does well but certainly takes awhile (if ever) to become used to living with an ‘Eiffel Tower’ in his back.