Clearly, this is the winter of my discontent, at least when it comes to running. I wasn’t really expecting to run this weekend because the pace of the snow melting on the trails suggested it would be at least a few more weeks at minimum.
That was before yesterday when we got yet more snow. And today when yet more snow was met by its cousin, still more snow.
I’m now not really expecting to run at Burnaby Lake or along the Brunette River this month. I suppose it could suddenly warm up dramatically and torrential rains might sweep in, flushing the snow away, but it seems unlikely.
For now, here is a tour of my trip to Lougheed Town Centre today, highlighted by snow and snow.
The first part of the walk is three blocks down Fader Street, toward Hume Park. Surprisingly most of the sidewalks were cleared, including several that weren’t cleared after the last snow on New Year’s Eve. Several houses still had unneighborly snow-filled sidewalks and they shall get a virtual raspberry from me. The streets at this point are unplowed and a bit messy but the snow is still fresh enough that it hasn’t turned into a slush apocalypse–yet.
The sidewalks in Hume Park were shoveled. The park was pretty. And pretty abandoned. I suspect most people–even kids–are well beyond the novelty of snow by now.
I first opted to avoid taking the stairs down to Lower Hume Park, thinking they would be snow-clogged, then changed my mind and figured the fresh snow would provide good traction. I was right on both counts. There was one complication, though.
Yet another tree fell victim to the snowfall. It looked like it was passable on the right, so I decided to continue heading down and would skirt around it.
The gap on the right turned out to be an optical illusion. I still made it through by cleverly ducking and using my opposable thumbs to redirect branches out of my face. My coat pockets were filled with snow afterward.
The Brunette River trail was once again completely covered in snow. It looks like one vehicle had been through, creating ruts that people walked along. If it wasn’t so uneven it would actually be easier to run on this than the hard-packed snow that’s sitting underneath it (and has been there for almost two months). I did not see anyone running.
Even the trains are snow-covered. Who decided Greater Vancouver should audition for the sequel to The Day After Tomorrow, anyway?
And finally, one more tree victim. This winter has not been very environmentally friendly to trees in the area. This one even suffered the indignity of being trampled on.
Because the snow is fresh and not firmly packed down yet, the walk to the mall was actually a bit of a workout. I kept up a vigorous pace and my boots kept my feet dry, even as my jeans got thoroughly soaked almost up to the knees. Sure, I could have tucked the jeans into the boots but I’d rather suffer damp pants than commit such a fashion faux pas. I’m willing to bet they would have somehow gotten wet, anyway.
Throughout the rest of today, it continued to snow on and off and apparently it’s freezing rain now, even though it’s gotten colder. I am not surprised because all snow is hellsnow, as far as I’m concerned. I went out and enjoyed it before it could turn evil again but turning evil was always its destiny.
I look forward to no snow in March. Maybe.