Alberta Summer

At the end of June we joined some friends in Waterton National Park for a few days of camping. A few years ago, a huge forest fire roared through the park, changing it's appearance forever. This generation won't see the beautiful tall trees on the mountainsides.  Rather,it will be able to watch as a forest is reborn.  More trails and roadways are being reopened each year, expanding the hiking option.

Blackiston Falls

And that was the end of camping for various reasons.  

July was spent Day-Camping - going to spend time with friends in campgrounds, going fishing and coming home for night, or staying in a hotel.  One day-camping trip was to Jasper.  

It wasn't as crazy busy as it is on a normal year which suited us better anyway. Every time we go to Jasper, we try something new.  This time we took the boat tour to Spirit Island.  Finally we got to see the iconic view that's on all the calendar pictures.  Despite the forecasts, the weather turned out to be perfect.

AND THEN ALL TRAVEL CEASED

The year 2020 began with a couple of quick trips to Manitoba, one to celebrate New Year's with family, and another to celebrate a long life well lived.  We continued making more travel plans for the year, and then

all travel ceased. 

No choir tour to New York City.  No visit to family out of province.  No family reunion in Ontario in summer. 

Stay home.  That was the directive.  Stay safe. 

When you're retired and you're mostly home anyway, it's not as disruptive as it is for those who are in school or at work.  But being retired, you have the time to explore the world and now that has come to a halt. 

So we made the best of it.  During the earlier stages of COVID19 restrictions, we developed a routine to distinguish the days from one another.  Eat take-out on Fridays.  Dress up for church on Sundays (even if it was in front of our TV).  Go for a Sunday drive into the countryside to note the weekly changes signalling the arrival of spring. Meet regularly with friends and Bible study groups on Zoom.  And so we weathered the storm. 

Spring arrived and everyone cautiously ventured outside.  Neighbours visited over the fence.  Drive-way coffee dates and socially distanced walks with friends began.  Maybe we could go somewhere yet..,