A Winter Walk in City Creek Canyon
January 25, 1997
The group that went on the "Winter Walk" up City Creek Canyon with Pete
Hovingh had a great time together. The road was mainly clear of snow and
ice, and with no traffic it was very peaceful. There was a bit of misty
rain, but thinking of Stan Mulaik's Weather Song it bothered us
not at all.
Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot,
Whether the weather be fair or whether the weather be not --
We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!
We looked at plants and trees along the way, and noted the burdock with its
hooked burrs (which inspired someone to create "Velcro"). We walked to the
Watercress Spring. It was bright green, with such clear water!
We wondered about Giardia . One used to hike in the mountains and
be able to drink of the spring water without worry. It is depressing to
think of some of the changes the years have brought.
We could see some nests in the barren trees -- robin, vireo, and magpie --
and saw and heard a few birds -- chickadees, flickers, and magpies. We
hoped to see a dipper (water ouzel), but were not lucky in that. Sign of
woodpeckers were seen in some of the trees. We noted some green grass at
the edge of the stream, and also bright green moss.
We had a charming Japanese visitor, Kaoru Toyohara, who was an exchange
teacher from Japan. He was fascinated with everything he saw, especially
with the bushel-basket sized magpie nests. Bowing at every bit of
information he heard, it often made me feel like bowing back.
Those present were Barbara and Justin Kreek, Sandra and Garland Bray,
Brooke Gordan, Kathy Woodbury, Kaoru Toyohara, Dot Platt, and Pete Hovingh.
Thanks to Peter for a lovely morning.