Book Club Socials & Pumpkins For The Deer

      Well, it's Monday again, and we continue our journey through my November adventures. November was a bit quieter on the events front, for me, and I was mostly just working and trying to stay well. 

I joined a book club this year, and while most of it is virtual, the leading ladies do host some in person events as well, and I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and attend one. This particular one there was a lovely craft market during the day, and then the snacks and swap in the evening. 

I was only able to meet a couple people I previously only knew online, as there were around 50 people attending, and apparently, there was more interest beyond that. Who knew this province was so full of readers?! 

The ladies who put this event together did a lovely job and had beautiful table decor too. I think we all discovered we like smaller gatherings though, where you actually get to talk to people, and get to know each other a bit more. 

As you will have seen in previous posts, I got a lot of pumpkins for outdoor decoration, and Raccoon had a great idea of what to do with them when the season ended. 

Our land was gorgeous even though everything was already settled down for winter. The skies rarely disappoint here on the prairies. 

I don't think I will ever tire of prairie views. It makes me feel like I can breathe again. 

Here Raccoon is hauling the pumpkins across our acres to the deer's favorite grazing and sleeping spots. Over the 4 years I have owned this property, I have definitely come to discover the deer's daily life patterns, and it's really helpful when we want to bring them treats. 

Raccoon smashing and hacking apart the pumpkins and squashes. Hopefully the deer were able to find them and enjoy some easy snacks before the snow came, or perhaps the moles and mice found it while carving tunnels under the snow. 

Who knows, maybe some of the seeds have taken root and we will find random vines growing next spring. Haha That would be so awesome! 

If not, it is good compost for the soil. 

And with that, I will leave you for today and return hopefully tomorrow with some new adventures. This really was a random post of unusual happenings. 

One Last Hike In The Mountains

      Well, here we are. Just a few last moments from our last day in Banff, before we got packed up, and returned to the prairies to prepare for winter. (Yes, winter in November - good thing we prepared too!) 

Don't be fooled by the amount of sun you see. It was actually bitterly cold this particular day, which you can kind of tell by the brightness of the water colours. Colder the day, sharper the colours. 

I love it when sunbeams decide to photo bomb a shot. 

Ah yes, gorgeous little fuzzies. I have no idea what these are. Leave a comment if you know! I just thought they were gorgeous. 

Some final beautiful views of the gorgeous mountains. I wonder if this would make a good jigsaw puzzle? 

And with that, we come to an end of our Birthday Trip to Banff! We don't travel much, so I suppose I revel in each moment we do. 

I will return soon to share what went down in November, and hopefully December before too long! 

Visiting The Cave & Basin

      Oh my goodness, I am so excited to share these photos with you all! Who knew a magical little spot existed just minutes from where we have been before, and somehow, never went to see! 

Walking up to the entrance of Cave & Basin. We had gotten a fresh, light snowfall and somehow that added to the beauty. Honestly, we experienced all the types of weathers while we were there, and that made for many beautiful moments. 

Entering the tunnel to the cave. It gets substantially lower and tighter, so if you are claustrophobic, there could be a few seconds of EEEEPPP happening, but it isn't for long at all, and I was fine. Normally I don't do such spaces. 

It's worth it, because this is your view! Absolutely incredible, and yes quite smelly due to it being so sulphureous, but how cool is this?!?! 

From The Website: "Cave and Basin has been a special place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years and continues to be so to this day. In 1883, three railway workers found the thermal springs, sparking a series of events that led to the creation of Canada’s first national park. Today, the site is a gathering place for sharing stories about conservation and the connection between people and the land in Canada’s national protected areas. Visit the Cave and Basin National Historic Site to experience the birthplace of Canada’s national parks and learn about the natural and cultural history of the mountains. Discover the hot water that seeps from the rocks, smell the minerals and explore the trails." 

I took entirely too many photos, as per usual, but who knows if I will ever visit this location again, and I wanted to make sure I had lots of documented memories. 

Looking up to the roof of the cave, where the initial hole is. This is the entry point the Indigenous peoples would have used to enter the cave. Good Grief! 

Making our way up the stairs, stopping to check out the views, before following the boardwalk up the mountain, to see where the spring starts, and where the endangered species live! 

The fresh snow really made it all feel a bit more magical and while it was cold, it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been, and the sun warmed us up a lot. 

Look at how lightly the dusting of snow is sitting on each leave and branch! 

The protected original entrance to the cave. It is actually terrifying to think people just went down there, into the dark, to explore this unknown place. 

Surrounded by incredible views, which is normal, everyday life in the mountains. 

The sulphureous stream making its way down towards the cave. THE SMELL was intense here, so be forewarned. However, the colours thanks to the Sulphur are delightful, and nature is so fascinating! 

And then we arrived at the beginning of the springs, bubbling out of the mountain, forming this stunning, emerald-green pool. My goodness, what gorgeous colours!!!! 

Look at all the wee bubbles! 

I had my eyes peeled for the Banff Spring Snails, that are endangered and only live in this one tiny pool! Nowhere else in the whole wide world! Just here! I didn't spot them at first, and then Raccoon noticed them, and oh my goodness, they are so tiny and cute. I am in love! 

So, all those tiny, blackish apple seeds on that one branch? That's the endangered Spring Snails! You can find out more about these amazing little guys ~HERE~ Absolute privilege to get to see them! 

Well, I have one more post to share with you, of our final holiday moments in the mountains, which I will pop up tomorrow, then on to November happenings!