And now for something completely personal ...

[ed_rex]

 

Travels, autumnal

Hidden agenda

'Oh my God — it's full of stars!'

I had a hidden agenda.

Raven's was to see finally see the wonder of the autumnal display in all its Canadian glory, the nearly miraculous transition of greens into scarlets and golds. She wanted to see the Canadian fall colours up close.

Raven is a city-girl born and bred, raised in the very urban East, just of the coast of Southern China, where vast, Canadian-style wilderness is nearly impossible to imagine.

She wanted autumn leaves; I wanted something more.

But as we drove the winding highway towards Ontario's massive Algonquin provincial park, my goal was one she had no reason to suspect, even as I had little cause for hope it would be fulfilled.

Far from a brilliant autumn weekend, the sky was heavy with clouds when we left Ottawa. It stayed that way for most of the drive. Only when we were within an hour or so of our destination did Old Sol make an appearance, tearing through the lowering clouds at last, baring hints of blue sky in the gaps.

Perhaps, I thought as I pulled off of Highway 60 and eased towards the check-in, perhaps Raven would get more than she had bargained for after all! Click here for the full story!

 

Comments

[silverflight8]

Ontario is indeed very lovely, especially the leaves! But I still like the Rockies better :P Sounds like a mission fulfilled, your trip!

...also, is that icon of you?

Tomato/tomahto?

[ed_rex]

I prefer the shield because it's so easy to get right up close and touch them. But I can understand the opposing preference, so we needn't fight. :)

We did get awfully lucky on the trip. I think the sky cleared around 4 in the afternoon and started clouding over again about midnight.

And yes, the icon was me, age (I think) 15, circa fall of 1980. (What in the world was I thinking with those glasses!)

Re: Tomato/tomahto?

[silverflight8]

:D I have to say that the leaves change much nicer on the east coast, though. Red and yellow and orange; mostly there it's a carpet of green pine and spruce and occasional flashes of yellow aspen/birch.

I am sorry I didn't go out and see the stars, though, when I went up during Thanksgiving; from your description, it sounds like it's something that should be seen at least once. Next time, I suppose.

The glasses are well in keeping with the age; your hair is my favorite, though ;) I am sure that the current fashions will be seen as horrifying for future generations; it just hasn't happened. (I am, though, waiting for those enormous sunglasses to fall our of favour. I can't see their eyes!)

Re: Tomato/tomahto?

[ed_rex]

I am sorry I didn't go out and see the stars, though, when I went up during Thanksgiving; from your description, it sounds like it's something that should be seen at least once. Next time, I suppose.

Yes, if you've never seen it, a truly dark sky really is almost an entirely different phylum from what you'll find in the city.

My hair got longer; in fact, until about four or five years ago my pattern was to let it grow down to my shoulders, then shave it off in a fit of pique.

But sloth and my ever-expanding bald(ing) spot have put an end to my days of hippy-hair.

I have to admit that both Raven and I think the giant sunglasses are damned cute on the under-three set; but ought to be avoided by everyone else.