Long Shadows

 It's been way too nice out to sit around writing blogs, but I did rather like this picture that I took in Grasslands NP early in the day in mid-September.  It was so good to see those huge skies.  The pronghorn, bison, prairie dogs, and mule deer were plentiful.  Alas, for me, I think I need a little more colour in the landscape to truly love this place so I would like to revisit when the spring flowers are blooming.  The shapes and sky do make the place; I still love our prairie. 

Conquering Carlyle Col

Yesterday I finally managed to get up to Carlyle Col, an objective I've had for quite awhile.  We can see Mt. Carlyle every time we come up the hill from Kaslo towards home.  I knew this was a peak that I probably wouldn't climb because it has lots of big blocky rocks at the top and I'm not very sure-footed.  We took the Subarau through the old mining towns of Sandon and Cody and managed to drive another 4 km up the road.  We then hiked for a good hour up the Carpenter Creek FS Road.  From there, the trail enters the woods and it's a lovely subalpine stroll and not too steep.  The rocky bit arrives and it's a trail over an old mining road and is very easy.  The view at the top is tremendous and would be even better from the summit.  The alpine flowers were still pretty good considering it was the last day of August.  A very worthwhile hike and thanks to Dave for getting me up there.

Beginning Bikers

Atley and Miro are having their first bike trips these days - here they are in Rossland in front of home.  They love the bike trailer, just as they loved the ski trailer.  All the adults love the Chariot.  It's very versatile and has given us all so much pleasure.  Nice to know that it's a Canadian product.

Summitting Old Glory

 Yesterday, Dave and I were in Rossland and it was a cool day.  A decision was made to NOT take Andrea and the boys with us on a hike - weather was too unpredictable and those boys are HEAVY!  We headed up Plewman Trail, a mere 10 km west of Rossland, and were on the summit of Old Glory before lunch.  We had a few spits of rain and then snow for the final stroll to the top.  Views are good, but clearcuts abound and yesterday was a poor day for good photos with all the grey cloud.  It was wonderfully cool on the entire hike and I think it has to be one of the easiest summits I've ever reached.  The old fire tower at the top is still open so you can escape the constant wind.  Huckleberries were big and ripe on Plewman Trail; not so plentiful on the descent down Old Glory Trail.  The ridge walk is lovely!

The Laundry

 I liked this clothesline that the custodian at Kokanee made out of an old map holder - guess there won't be much use for those things in the digital world.  It does make a great place to dry socks, etc.  I love a clothesline and it doesn't have to be an actual "clothes line".  I hope the readership is hanging out laundry and enjoying watching it sway in a summer breeze. 

Heading to Idaho Peak

 Hiking season has mostly been a washout (literally) this summer, but yesterday 3 of us headed for Idaho Peak, shown to the right.  The flowers are at their peak and the road is in great shape.  It's great to have a good road because Dave has the truck torn apart and we had to take the Subaru up the road and the clearance is very low - it worked like a charm.  Views were extensive and I was happy to see that I could identify plenty of peaks while at the top, as well as plenty of mountain flowers.  I'm learning a few things (and remembering them) in my older age!

Rethinking Hemerocallis

 I can't quite believe that this is happening to me but I'm actually getting to the point where I no longer want to deadhead my daylilies!!  I have so many blooms this year and I can't keep ahead of it all.  I was busy picking off buds affected with the gall midge and now I have so many dead blooms.  The only way to really keep these garden plants looking super is to deadhead them daily.  I'm no longer willing to do that.  It takes me at least 45 minutes to get it done and there's too many other things to do.  With a few of the large-flowered types it really is essential, and I try to get those done, but in my garden there are many flower buds withering in the sun and summer breezes.  I'm actually looking forward to the season ending.  The daylilies are great in covering wide expanses of the border but it's time to rethink how I am going to redo the garden - the time has come to redesign the borders!