Come Walk With Us on the Trans Canada Trail (TCT)

 Although it was definitely chilly this morning, there was no snow or frost, which was a really nice way to begin the day.  There was a beautiful pink and gold sunrise as we packed up and got underway, making us appreciate anew what a privilege it is to be out here in this wide open, peaceful, quiet landscape. As we set off down the tree lined gravel rail trail almost right away we spotted a sign post lying on the ground for the Swan Lake Nature Reserve.   It wasn't clear where it was pointing, but apparently we walked right past a 57 ha nature area that consists of a kettle lake surrounded by a riparian zone and grasslands.  Over the years, the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists have seeded the property with native grasses, removed invasive plant species, and developed hiking trails throughout it.  Apparently, there are now two bird blinds, several benches, a picnic table, and outhouses in the reserve, and over 128 bird species have been reported there, along with a diversity of

When we looked out the windows of our cozy, warm, little home at the Trailside Cabin Rentals it was still dark outside, but we were in for a surprise - the first snow of the season (for us)!  Fluffy white flakes were lazily drifting down outside the window, and collecting on the ground in a thin layer of white.  It certainly felt like the season was changing! When we headed back to the pathway we passed under a tall wooden archway with 'Trans Canada Trail' written on it and both the Canadian and BC flags on top.  It reminded us a lot of crossing the border between New Brunswick and Quebec at the end of our first season on the trail, also during one of the first snows of the season. The trail bed was covered in interesting patterns created by ATV tracks, deer, and smaller animals. Unlike some snowy landscapes, which are almost black and white, we found ourselves surrounded by colour.  Yellow aspen leaves still clung to branches and shone through the thin layer of white, and go