Promised a look at the ice sculptures in Chinatown, we gathered at Pumphouse Theatre for our gentle 10 km trek. The Bow River Pathway was cleared of snow and ice, allowing our minds to wander and conversation to flow. With the chinook developing behind us, trees and bushes were silhouetted black against the frozen white of the river.
The detour around the work near the Centre Street Bridge brought us to the huge Waterfront Condo development. In acknowledgement of its proximity to Chinatown, Waterfront has installed Moon Gate and Coyote, a whimsical juxtaposition of a glowing mirrored circular moon gate inhabited by dragon and a smoothly sculptured black coyote peering over its shoulder at intruders. In a startling moment, when we turned around to leave the courtyard, the glowing mirror had switched into the bright yellow of the sun.
Faithfully following our leaders, we came upon first one and then more large ice carvings celebrating the Year of the Tiger. While some walkers went into the very nearby bakery, others debated whether one tiger didnt look more like a bear. Munching snacks, we toured the other ice sculptures, each sponsored by a local business. Having achieved our goal, we turned back, pausing often to chase chickadees and
