May Is Done

Here we are with another month in the rearview mirror.

As I reflect back on the month-that-was, I want to complain about how spring seems to have skipped us this year. Although we’ve had a handful of seasonably warm and sunny days here and there, for the most part we have been stuck on the cool-and-wet cycle.

However, I find I can’t really complain. This was a month where, in spite of the weather, I have somehow managed to squeeze out the best the month had to offer anyway.

Although I managed to have only one bike ride outdoors so far this year, it was during the annual Paddle The Don which was happening on the east end of the city. I took advantage of the rare non-rainy day to cycle along the Don River Trail to watch the canoes and kayaks as they made their way downstream.

Boats are not normally allowed on the Don River, but once a year when water levels are high, this event is held as a fund raiser for the Toronto Region Conservation Foundation and dozens of paddlers take part.

This is not an easy paddle. It has at least one portage involved and some patches of ‘rough’ water. For this newbie paddler, the portage is a showstopper, so I’m happy to watch this event from the sidelines.

I did however have two opportunities to get my new kayak into the water this month. Both were events held by the Seniors’ Club I belong to.

The first was in Toronto Harbour. Don’t let the blue sky fool you – it was a chilly day!

If you’re wondering about the chairlift in this photo, there is a children’s amusement park on this island and it includes an ‘aerial’ ride.
Notice how high the water level is. The island residents are again fighting rising water and flooding.

Our second paddle was on the Humber River on the west end of the city.

In just one week we saw the trees start to turn green again … but it was still pretty chilly.

Then finally Helen and I got a chance to head outdoors for a hike. In the past year we haven’t managed to get in much hiking together but we scored a beautiful day to explore a conservation area we hadn’t yet visited.

It was worth the 90 minute drive.

Warsaw Caves Conservation Area with my long-time friend, Helen

Water levels were very high here too. I suspect this picnic table isn’t normally an island.

If you aren’t familiar with what some people call ‘black’ water, this is typical of northern Ontario. It is my understanding that this is caused when there is a lot of wetland in the watershed. The organic material in the wetland acts as a ‘teabag’ and stains the water.

At first glance, the water appears to be ‘muddy’ but is in fact clean and clear … it just looks unsettling to people who aren’t familiar with it.

Finally the month ended as all good months should – in the company of great friends. I have been lucky to call this group of wonderful ladies my friends for many years.

Lisa, Cathy, Barb, Suzanne, and I … with Cathy’s son Tom photobombing us in the background. Cathy’s horse farm, Awesome Acres, was the perfect setting for this great afternoon together.

So this has been my month of May. I’ve taken full advantage of the outdoors in spite of the less-than-ideal spring conditions. I suspect we’ll be getting more of the same in the weeks ahead.

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Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted this year by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch. This is my 5th year participating in this monthly event.