We came HOME last night (yes, big letters). The trip to Germany was fun and it was good to see family and friends, but the thing that we call life happens here in Canada, and we are thankful for having the option to chose between two great places to live.
This time we flew from Duesseldorf to Amsterdam to Seattle and drove back to Vancouver. All in all fairly uneventful except for the long line-up at US immigration. Having traveled all over Europe without ever showing my passport, it never ceases to irritate me when the authorities request to take my picture and finger prints every friggin' time I cross the border. Come on, I haven't changed in ten days... Since it usually doesn't serve the process to start arguing with a customs officer I went opportunistic and kept my mouth shut (with a 'but...' on my tongue and a forever digitized 'whatever-look' on my face).
Today I was waiting for the frost covered roads to thaw up but the shadows never left the streets, hence my bike had to stay indoors.
It was foggy with temperatures around minus 3C (26F), so decided to go out for a stroll in the fields and meadows instead.
The hoar frost re-sculptured trees and branches, and made for a slippery walk on the dykes.
Towards noon the fog gave way to Mrs Sun and Mr Blue Sky. Canada has a lot of beautiful places but every time I am in 'my' meadows I feel the most connected to this land.
The ever present Mt. Baker is calling me over for a visit, but this beautiful piece of geomorphology is located in the States and has to wait until I am ready to have my picture taken... again!
Why aren't there more songs and poems about Canadian landscapes?
Even a simple point and shoot camera can create pictures like paintings from this.
The road doesn't show but it is covered with frost from the receding fog.
Icicles hanging from the trees reflect the sunlight.
Pitt Lake landing is abandoned. Although the lake is open there is no boat to be seen.
The bog is in winter mode, frozen solid and waiting for better times to come.
A good walk in familiar places is a great energizer after a long journey. Life is good!
Keep sMiling.
