outdoors — Noisy Deadlines

First snow

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 22:47:02 +0000

I love the first day when snow falls and covers everything in white. It happened today here, which is surprisingly late for my region. I often witness first snow at late October or early November.

It was a lovely day with temperature at around -5C and I finally went for a walk with my partner to explore the trails near our new house.

Having access to trails at walking distance was one of the reasons we moved to this house. I’m glad I finally had time to just walk and enjoy the weather.

#winter #snow #outdoors #journal

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

Ice Skating - Difficulty level: HARD

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 00:29:45 +0000

I went ice skating on the Rideau Canal this morning. Ice conditions were good (according to the City website) but there was a forecast of 40% chance of light snow. Temperature was nice at around -5C. I decided to go because you never how long the canal is going to be open and it was a chance to experience ice skating under the snow.

And... the only difference is that because it is snowing, and snow will accumulate on the ice you can't really see the ice imperfections anymore. The Canal skateway is never perfect, so usually you see some cracks and bumps here and there and you can avoid them. But today, the difficulty level was turned to HARD. You know you have obstacles but they are hidden: GO!

I did fall once because of a hidden bump, and I was probably skating slower than normal (which is not very fast anyway).

Snow and ice

And now I know what it feels like to skate with snow conditions! Not my favourite experience but at the same time I could focus more on keep on moving instead of looking for bumps on the ice. It was... interesting.

#winter #noisymusings #iceskating #outdoors

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

Smiley trees in Winter

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 19:48:52 +0000

I saw smiley trees on my walk today :–) Cloudy day, -1°C, some accumulated snow from yesterday.

I'm loving these longer winter walks. Taking the time to observe the surroundings, breath in the cold air, watch squirrels and birds doing their thing.

It's not something I did a lot before the pandemic, because I would spent a lot of time inside a gym, resulting in not much time left for the outdoors. Also, the cold. This year has not been too cold so it's easier to get out. But I want to keep doing it, even when it gets colder (as it surely will!).

#noisymusings #outdoors #hiking #winter

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

Some winter walking and kite surfing views

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 23:18:28 +0000

It was such a lovely day for a long walk today! Temperature at around -7C, moderate wind, blue skies. A walk of almost 10Km along the Ottawa River, starting at the Mud Lake up until the Andrew Haydon Park and back.

Mud Lake

Andrew Haydon Park

We saw people skating in the lake, playing hockey, skiing and doing this thing where you have a snowboard or skis and let a kite move you through the ice. It's exactly like kite surfing in water but in snow. I don't know if there is a specif name for this winter sport. It's the first time I saw people doing it. The only version I knew was the one in the summer (in the water). Sounds fun!

Ottawa River – People “Kite Surfing” in snow

We spotted squirrels and birds. It was a sunny day, there wasn't too much snow which made walking super easy, no need for snowshoes.

#outdoors #hiking #winter

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

A Season in Images: Hiking

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 23:02:36 +0000

Since the pandemic started, I got into the habit of going for a walk every day. Sometimes I walk, sometimes it’s a combination of running and walking. I used to be a gym person. With the gyms closed during the first lockdown restrictions, going for a walk outside at the end of day kept me sane after spending the whole day inside. I used to think it was a waste of time to go out and spend one hour just walking! And now the habit stuck. It's relaxing, it's good for my mind and body.

I’ve had ups and downs regarding my spinal health this year. The pandemic totally changed my exercise routine, and I had a few months of intermittent back/sciatica pain. Yoga became inaccessible to my body, running was out the question, body weight was challenging, so I just walked during the worst of it.

I’m better. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor regularly, I’m back to yoga a few times a week, I learned a few strengthening body weight exercises that I do in the morning every day to remain pain free.

🍁 This fall season inspired me to try hiking. I have hiked a few times in the last couple of years. Now I felt ready to explore nearby trails every week. My husband was my intrepid companion on all these adventures. We focused on easy trails around the Ottawa-Gatineau area.

Below is a compilation of wonderful images from the trails we explored from the end of September to early November 2020 😎.

Mer Bleu – Ottawa, ON
Mud Lake Trail – Ottawa, ON
King Mountain Trail – Gatineau Park – Gatineau, QC
Chapman Mills Conservation Area – Ottawa, ON
Old Quarry Trail – Ottawa, ON
P4 Trail Stony Swamp Sector – Ottawa, ON
Beaver Trail, Chipmunk Trail, Lime Kiln Trail – Ottawa, ON
Sheila McKee Park – Ottawa, ON

Mer Bleu Trail – Ottawa, ON

This trail has a boardwalk section over this bog area. It's gorgeous in fall and easily accessible. There is also a longer loop trail that connects to the boardwalk and we checked that out as well. We spotted Asters and mushrooms!

Mud Lake Trail – Ottawa, ON

Super friendly trail and easily accessible. It surrounds the Mud Lake and we saw squirrels, ducks, geese, lots of birds and even a raccoon!

King Mountain Trail – Gatineau Park – Gatineau, QC

This trail goes to the highest point in Gatineau Park. We have a wonderful view of the city of Ottawa from the lookout. Simply gorgeous!

Chapman Mills Conservation Area – Ottawa, ON

A very urban trail by the Rideau River shoreline . It passes under the Vimy Memorial Bridge. The day we went the water level was low and we faced a chilly wind!

Old Quarry Trail – Ottawa, ON

Located in the Greenbelt area that surrounds Ottawa core. It's in the middle of a residential area so it's quiet and accessible. The tree's leaves have all fallen by October 25th!

P4 Trail Stony Swamp – Ottawa, ON

Another trail in the Greenbelt area close the Old Quarry Trail. It's the same Stony Swamp Sector. No more leaves on the trees (except for the ever greens pines).

Beaver Trail, Chipmunk Trail, Lime Kiln Trail – Ottawa, ON

A continuation of our exploration of the Greenbelt in the Stony Swamp Sector. We started at the Beaver Trail and went down to the Lime Kiln ruin: one of the few remaining examples of a 19th century industrial lime kiln in Canada. The trail to the ruin passes through an area of the forest that caught fire in early 2000's and is still recovering.

Sheila McKee Park – Dunrobin, ON

Short trails by the Ottawa River that is also used for cross country skiing in the winter. The nice part is the descent to the river shore with a nice view!

#noisymusings #Hiking #Outdoors #Fall #Images

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

Being outside biking

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 01:56:35 +0000

We had a sunny and warm day today! I think it was the first warm of the year, actually. First weekend with temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. There was one thing I've been wanting to do for more than a year now: go bike in one of the roads they close on Sunday mornings. I finally did it and it was great! I knew I was bit out of shape to go for long bike rides so 20km was just about right. Good day!

#bikeride #personal #outdoors

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By Noisy Deadlines Minimalist in progress, nerdy, introvert, skeptic. I don't leave without my e-reader.

outdoors — Noisy Deadlines

First snow

Ice Skating - Difficulty level: HARD

Smiley trees in Winter

Some winter walking and kite surfing views

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A Season in Images: Hiking

Mer Bleu Trail – Ottawa, ON

Mud Lake Trail – Ottawa, ON

King Mountain Trail – Gatineau Park – Gatineau, QC

Chapman Mills Conservation Area – Ottawa, ON

Old Quarry Trail – Ottawa, ON

P4 Trail Stony Swamp – Ottawa, ON

Beaver Trail, Chipmunk Trail, Lime Kiln Trail – Ottawa, ON

Sheila McKee Park – Dunrobin, ON

Being outside biking