Neighbourhood Adventuring: Pro-Snow or Snow-thanks by Kim Fulton Are you ready for it? Ready for the snow?
Perhaps you’ve succumbed to the inevitability of snow this season. For some, it’s eager anticipation and for others…. well, not so much! I seem to recall winters when the snow was plentiful in December, making for frosty mornings and cold walks to school. Growing up in Byron, I recall walking the newly paved sidewalks of Boler Road - between Gatineau Road and Wayne Road - with the snow up to my armpits and the uncomfortable bulkiness of being bundled up to brave the elements! And yes, it absolutely was uphill both ways. And yes, I am that old that I remember when sidewalks went in on Boler Road!! More recently, but still several years ago, I recall a December when we had a series of snowstorms that left the schools closed a full week before the winter holiday. The roads were treacherous, and once again, the sidewalks and boulevards were piled several feet deep (as high as my children’s armpits this time!). I’m sure you can imagine kids’ restless, pent- up energy the week before Christmas and housebound for several days. I’m sure you can just as vividly imagine the losing-our-marbles state my husband and I found ourselves in on those same snow-bound days. Our solution? Some neighbourhood adventuring! While the world seemed “closed due to weather,” it was the perfect time to head outside and explore. It was a wonderful way to burn off some of that energy while seeking the highest snow drift. We pretended we were explorers as we made new tracks in the fresh, deep snow. We made snow angels in fresh, fluffy patches and marvelled at how they shimmered in the sun. Our neighbourhood provided the perfect backdrop to this grand adventure! I had never been a fan of cold or snow, but this particular adventure sealed my enthusiasm for winter walks – I was converted! These days, we don’t seem to get the stick-around kind of snow until January. December snow (if we have it) blasts in for a few days and then melts away in the rain or the sun. But we are fortunate to live in a neighbourhood that makes it. Before the sticking-around snow arrives, you can get your fill at Boler Mountain! If you love the snow, there’s no better way to enjoy it than swooping down it at top speed. If you don’t happen to love the stuff, you can look at it from a distance. We now have lovely neighbourhood paths around Boler Mountain that afford wonderful views of the snow. In the evenings, you can watch the shimmer and shine of the snow and marvel at all the activity happening at Boler. It’s a great chance to warm up to it before we get our fill as winter progresses. Whether you love snow or find yourself already pining for the warmth of summer, I offer you a Neighbourhood Adventuring challenge this month! Whatever the weather, there is little else more beneficial to body, mind and soul than getting out in nature. Our neighbourhood presents a wonderful complement of natural spaces and modern convenience (and safety) – like those new-fangled sidewalks along Boler (lol). Embrace the
weather (dress for it) and get outside. You’re only steps from your doorway, and you might find yourself a winter-walking enthusiast, too! Kim Fulton grew up in Byron and returned to our community 21 years ago with her husband and children. When she’s not “neighbourhood adventuring”, Kim is a Yoga & Ayurvedic Life & Wellness Coach who specializes in Stress Management, supporting clients through her coaching and wellness programs. She also teaches Yoga Classes in the neighbourhood. www.kimfulton.ca
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