100 F/ 38 C

Happy one hundred 
and fifty-eight years to my
homeland, Canada!!

~carliewired

Yesterday I pondered where I might take my morning jaunt on Canada's birthday. I'm not wanting to be in a mob of people anywhere, so my daughter suggested I drive the Lac du Bois road into the Lac du Bois grasslands, a protected area above my neighbourhood. 

At 7 AM I made the turn onto gravel road to climb above the city. It begins with rolling hills and sagebrush, then rises into pine forest. The area is dotted with ponds and lakes. I was on the lookout for wildlife. One eagle soared over my head. It likes the grasslands, too. Ducks enjoy the wetlands. 

I met a loaded logging truck making its way down into town. I passed an energetic cyclist on a hill. Someone with a barking dog hanging out of their window zoomed past me but I largely had the route to myself, giving me time to stop for photos. 

I drove as far as the McQueen Lake Environmental Centre, then made a turn for home. The cyclist caught up with me there and whizzed by me. 

I met an empty logging truck coming back up the hill. It's trailer was piggy-backed on its deck. 

Wildflowers abound, especially in the wetter areas. I found showy milkweed, a butterfly favourite, right beside the road. 

As I came down to my neighbourhood I caught my mountains on the other side of the valley. 

I have no plans for other than peace and quiet today. It will be a hot day. Perhaps there will be fireworks after dark.