Monuments

Downtown, South Bank of the Bow River, and Poppy Plaza

• Parking: Public paid lot, east of the Calgary Curling Club
• Washrooms: none
• Paved Path

A traditional Hungarian carving.

I thought I'd go urban today and walk the very busy downtown riverbank pathways.  At first, I was frustrated by the busyness of it all; other walkers, joggers, cyclists and even a city truck passed me.  Too loud, too busy, I thought. I missed the "naturalness" of my first few trails.

But eventually I began to look past all the commuters and the perfect baskets of flowers hanging at even intervals along the path.  I stopped at monument after monument - a Hungarian carving, the Peace Grove, an archway, and plaques dedicated to people and events I had never paid much attention to.  Testaments to what Calgary as a community values and remembers.

WWI memorial at Poppy Plaza, overhanging the river.

About halfway into my walk, I crossed the 10th Street bridge to the north bank of the river to visit Poppy Plaza, a rededication of the original memorial to soldiers lost in WWI.  The site's iron and wood construction reminded me of the deck of a ship, overlooking the river below.  But what touched me most deeply were the words etched into the pavement and walls,  quotes from veterans, politicians and soldiers who never came home.  

Set in the center of our bustling city and pristine river valley, it was a reminder of how privileged I am to be living here and now, a gift not to be taken for granted.

Birds

Pearce Estate Park and Harvie Passage

• Parking: On site
• Washrooms: in the Visitor Center
• Paved and Dirt Paths

Thistles in bloom by the water's edge

This morning, I wandered through the collection of streams, ponds and wetlands that is the Pearce Estate Water Conservation Area, a lovely park just downstream of the city center.  The main area is a fairly flat manicured lawn, dotted by mature trees, picnic tables and lots of room to play frisbee or kick a ball around.  It is also home to the Sam Livingstone Fish Hatchery and the Bow Habitat Visitor Center, including a little catch and release pond.

The current slows at the end of the Harvie Passage.

I started off walking along the river pathway, but stopped almost before I began at the Harvie Passage, a series of rapids constructed at the weir.  The look-out point is a great piece of outdoor architecture and the churning waters below are mesmerizing. I must have sat for ten minutes just watching one area where the water created a perfect mirror of the tumbling whitecaps above it.

Once back at the Pierce Estate Park, I explored the network of dirt paths.  Today I shared the park with just one other person, a vole, many squirrels and a myriad of chickadees, red-winged blackbirds, robins, and sparrows, all swooping, singing, and sometimes just hopping along the path in front of me.  

A mossy waterfall.

It's as if the park and it's inhabitants conspired to put me at ease.  The birdsong, the rustle of the cool morning breeze in the leaves, a brook babbling over a little waterfall, the sun filtering through the trees and simmering on the water, and that indescribable "outdoorsy" smell.  Ahh . . .

A Hidden Valley

Nose Hill Park, north end

• Parking: corner of Berkley Gate and 14th Street NW
• Washrooms: at the parking lot
• Paved and Dirt Path

My first "deliberate" walk started off under a clear blue sky through our rich prairie grasslands.  Countless birds flew out of the grass ahead of me as I walked along, and there were wild roses and other flowers everywhere.  The path soon followed along the southern edge of Porcupine Valley, where I saw a couple of deer grazing among the aspen on the opposite slope. My first large wildlife sighting!

When I eventually crossed the valley and looked behind me, it seemed to have disappeared; the rolling grassland had swallowed it whole - very disconcerting.  But as I topped a rise, I was treated to another amazing view: on one side was COP and downtown, on the other were the rolling foothills and Rocky Mountains.  I was on top of the world!







As I headed back to the parking lot, I decided to walk along the bottom of the valley.  I could see the path clearly from above, but when I got down there the grass was thick and tall; up to my chest in places.  Soon I was wet with the dew, and slightly anxious about the many unseen creatures scurrying away on both sides of the path.  But I made it to my car unscathed, and quite proud of my first real adventure!

Inspiration

Southbank of Bow River, west of Bowness Park

• Parking: Boat Launch, west side of Baker Park
• Washrooms: in Baker Park and Bowness Park
• Dirt Path

View from the south end of Stoney Trail Bridge.

This was the adventure that started it all!  I had just begun two months of holidays, and in a fit of restlessness I decided to head down to the river valley for a walk. 

I parked in Baker Park, followed the path west, crossed under the Stoney Trail Bridge and turned right along the dirt path closest to the water.  Uphill and down, through the old fir trees, watching the river sparkle as it rushed along beside me. 

Along the trail, above the river

Suddenly, I was struck by the way the details of my life had just slipped away, leaving room to notice the details of the moment; fascinating, beautiful, peaceful (and sometimes itchy) details.  Right there and then, I resolved to do this every morning.

A new adventure every morning, exploring Calgary and the surrounding area - one walking path at a time!