Outdoors and Indoors : Lacombe to Blackfalds

 Today was a leisurely day during which we covered very little distance on the Trans Canada Trail (only 16 km), but enjoyed a rare treat - excellent company en route!  Around 8:30 am we met Cecile and her husband Bruce at Cranna Lake Park in Lacombe.  Cranna Lake was actually a small pond at the centre of an urban greenspace that was surrounded by homes.  As with many of the beautiful urban ponds we've walked around recently, this one was filled with multiple American Coot, Red-necked Grebe, and Ruddy Duck families. 

It was a gorgeous sunny morning as we followed the paved cycling trail around the pond.  We then wove our way through the subdivisions of Lacombe on well-marked paved trails, sidewalks, and a short stretch of road before picking up the Lacombe County Trail.  Lacombe County has been working with the Central Alberta Regional Trail Society (CARTS) to build a system of hiking and cycling trails that link Ponoka, Lacombe, and Blackfalds, and the section of trail we followed today was part of this system. This trail was a testament and credit to the wonderful things that be can be achieved when communities work together and have local support! 

We left Lacombe on a gloriously shady section of trail bordered by mature trees on one side and experimental fields managed by the nearby Lacombe Research andDevelopment Centre on the other.  We could  see plots of canola, peas, and various grains, among other things.  We soon discovered that there were interpretive plaques along this stretch of trail, as well as benches and garbage cans, and much of the trail was shaded.  Really, what more could you ask for? 

As we followed the trail, paralleling a paved road (the Calgary and Edmonton Trail), we enjoyed very interesting conversation.  Bruce grew up in Innisfail (where we will be in two days), and was very knowledgeable about the history and geography of the region and its development.  The couple had also lived in Athabasca until very recently, and shared many interesting stories about that area and its history.  We ended the day feeling even more excited about hiking north next year than we already were. 

During the course of the morning we also talked about the many benefits of getting outside and walking as a way to support good mental health.  This isn't the first time someone has spoken to us about how important it was during the global pandemic to get outside for a walk with others.  It was a form of connecting with others and the natural world that felt necessary to many people.  They also spoke about how this built a connection to the local environment, which is a necessary step for environmental protection, since 'We will not protect what we do not love, and we will not love what we do not know.' 

 

As we approached Lacombe Lake we had a bit of a climb, which then provided panoramic views back towards the community of Lacombe.  A patchwork of yellow, green, and rich brown squares disappeared into the distance, broken up by patches of dark green forest.  Standing on the hilltop, surrounded by lush green fields of grain under a cloudless blue sky was a wonderful feeling, but we could see the white haze in the distance and already feel the heat of the sun. 

We descended into a neighbourhood of luxurious homes set back on large properties with rolling green lawns. One of these properties had a large ornamental rock which Cecile recognized as a special formation found only up north along a particular stretch of the Athabasca River.  Another thing to look forward to as we head north! 

Shortly afterwards, we came to a short section of wooden boardwalk on the edge of Lacombe Lake.  This quiet and peaceful lake was surrounded by cattail marshes and trees that were reflected in its still dark waters.  We spotted a Common Loon just before it disappeared under the surface.  An adult American Coot with a loudly complaining baby in tow swam away from the boardwalk as we passed, and a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were drumming softly on a nearby snag.  Just as we reached the end of the boardwalk a Red-necked Grebe appeared from among the cattails.  This lake is listed in the Birding Trails of Alberta guide, with Bald Eagles, Gray Catbirds, Marsh Wrens, and Warblers being highlighted as species to look for. 

We climbed up a small rise and found ourselves in a beautifully forested section of trail.  I was delighted to be introduced to Saskatoon berries, and enjoyed harvesting a small snack from the trail side shrubs.  Cecile also pointed out the beaked hazelnut bushes growing at the trail side, with their fuzzy light green fruit, and Bruce pointed out the choke cherries.  These were all very exciting discoveries, especially the tasty and edible Saskatoon berries. These will be added to our recent discovery of honeyberries, which are also extremely tasty! 

Shortly after this we came to a lovely covered gazebo in a grassy area among the trees, with a washroom located nearby.  We took a break at the stone benches under the shelter of the huge gazebo and enjoyed some of the delicious vegan cookies that we had received from one of the ladies who attended our talk at Burman University.  It was a lovely resting place, and the spot where our trusty hiking companions turned around to head back home.  We were sad to lose their company! 

 

As we approached the outskirts of Blackfalds we traversed a more open section of trail, which had an interesting and somewhat different feel to it.  We boxed around the Wapiti Campground, and followed the paved cycling trail between open rolling fields of grain.  The trail was bordered on both sides by wire fences, giving the impression that we were walking down a shoot.  

We passed several small ponds, each of which were filled with waterfowl, and then found ourselves walking through a subdivision.  Here, we were in for yet another treat.  The trail was signed all the way through town!  I don't really enjoy weaving through the curving streets of neighbourhoods when I have to constantly check the phone to see if we need to turn.  In many modern subdivisions the streets within a particular neighbourhood to have very similar names (i.e. Aspen Rd, Aspen Ave, Aspen St, Aspen Cres, Aspen Blvd, etc.), which makes it difficult for me to remember the exact turns without double checking constantly.  So, we really enjoyed the ease with which we could weave through the subdivisions of Blackfalds. 

Despite the amazing conditions, we were starting to feel the heat a little, when suddenly we got a wonderful surprise.  We'd come to the Abbey Center, which we soon discovered is the only part of the 28,000 km long Trans Canada Trail that is indoors!  The trail actually goes through a building - skirting around an upper balcony that circles a gymnasium.  The "trail" is decorated with scenes from across Canada, including fields, forests, and the prairies.  As we turned the corner a concrete bench represented the Rocky Mountains!  It was surreal to see a Trans Canada Trail marker at the top of an indoor staircase! 

 

 

We made our way around the only indoor section of the trail as a very active and enthusiastic sounding summer camp played a lively game below us in the gym.  I think we made quite a strange picture as we took our carts down the steps with a bump, bump, bump, but no one in the bustling lobby of the community canter made any comments.

As we stepped back outside to continue on along the outdoor Trans Canada Trail the heat of the day hit us hard. 

As such we stopped for a much appreciated ice cream from the convenience store opposite the Abbey Center, and as we enjoyed it in the shade of a small tree we made an unexpected discovery.   All the campgrounds and motels in Red Deer are booked for the night, as is everything in the towns ahead of us this weekend.  Apparently the Westerner Days Fair and Exhibition is being held in Red Deer this weekend, as well as a local baseball tournament.  In the face of this unexpected discovery, and the fact that it was now early afternoon and very hot, we decided not to walk the 15 km along exposed country roads  to Red Deer, but rather to end our walk in Blackfalds tonight. Although we didn't cover very much distance, it has been an unusual and wonderful day on the trail!

See you on the trail!

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