hikayaking

[hikayaking]

This reminds of the time I was hiking in Waterton Lakes National Park. We'd taken a break to sit on a log by a small open lake before climbing over a mountain pass. Out of the woods stepped a mother moose and her baby. They crossed the lake to the other side as we sat in silence. After they passed, a few hikers caught up, unaware of what they had missed. It felt like we'd been given a special treat and even though it was many years ago, I still remember them.

[hikayaking]

Clouds moving in the summer sky ... dancing from the breath of distant mountains ... singing with the sun

[hikayaking]

Just relaxing on the beach gazing at the snow hanging onto the distant mountains.

[hikayaking]

A hard working bumblebee buddy in our garden.

[hikayaking]

[hikayaking]

Love this shot. The early morning sun, the embrace of distant mountains, the moose resting in the foreground and the reflections in the water. You can hear the silence.

[hikayaking]

[hikayaking]

"Oh, the cedar tree! If mankind in his infancy had prayed for the perfect substance for all material and aesthetic needs, an indulgent god could have provided nothing better."

Bill Reid, in the foreword to the book: Cedar, by Hilary Stewart

Cedar

[hikayaking]

This was so cool. Kayaking by an old hyrdoelectric power plant building. I love the classic architecture.

[hikayaking]

Kayaking in a cove with distant mountains beckoning you to come for a closer visit.

[hikayaking]

I love floating underneath the branches of outstretched trees. It's like a secret treehouse on the water where I can escape to rest and play for awhile.

[hikayaking]

Spring ice hasn't broken off the lake quite yet. A lovely resting place to sit, sip a hot chocolate and enjoy the serenity that comes with mountain visits.

[hikayaking]

Just kicking around the mountains in early spring with the last of the winter ice on the lakes.

[hikayaking]

One of my favourite mountains to scramble.

[hikayaking]

Woke up this morning with the moon shining above and the fog lingering below.

[hikayaking]

The pipes, the pipes are callin' me ...

Happy International Bagpipe Day.

The International Bagpipe Organisation and the Bagpipe Society co-founded International Bagpipe Day in 2012. The day is celebrated by thousands of pipers around the world, and not just Scots pipes.

There are many different types of bagpipes, including the Musette de cour in France, the Dudelsack in Germany, and the Cimpoi in Romania. The musician is The Munro Bagpiper playing on the Black Cuillin on Isle of Skye.

[hikayaking]

One of the reasons I like the hiking trail; the pace, the place and the peace you get when you can be alone with your thoughts.