Three groups of four walkers each set off at intervals to make up our city walk this week. In Griffith Woods, autumn surrounded us: dried grass, bare trees, traces of old snow, hidden animals. Only tiny Wood Violets twinkled spring colour.
The excellent path, groomed but natural, cherished our feet for most of the way west along multiple strands of the Elbow River. The still water shone with reflections of treed vistas and sculptural bushes. Everywhere Red Osier Dogwoods shared their bright red branches. In the quiet reaches of the river, mallards slowly drifted and dipped for underwater
For indiscernible reasons, park maintenance entailed the felling of many trees, some for making the path, but others for purposes left to our imaginations and mildly curious conversation. The trees were left to disintegrate naturally, undoubtedly making homes for innumerable insects, plants and small animals.
Other walkers in the park greeted us with good cheer, seemingly pleased that we were with them in spirit. Dogs, from small to large, kept their owners moving at a good pace. We noticed signs that seemed to dictate that dogs on leashes were not allowed to go faster than ten kilometres an hour!
