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Popson Park
A walking meeting, more sitting than walking really, but we spent time by the river, found a very nice rock, and discussed plans for more walks. Location: Lethbridge, AB Length: 2 km Companions: Annie Date: 7 August, 2024
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Bertha Lake
Back in hiking land with hiking friends. A long steep trail up, a long steep trail down - we get to know the switchbacks really well. The glorious lake and views! Location: Waterton Lakes National Park, AB Length: 10 km Companions: Troy, Annie, Greg Date: 13 July, 2024 Kora
Circling the great stupa of Boudhanath, along with monks, nuns, Tibetans, Nepalis, westerners, easterners, northerners, southerners. All the mantras muttered, butter lamps lit, prostrations offered, prayer wheels spun, incense burned, hundreds or thousands of years of people doing walking meditation here, weaving tendrel with their footsteps, making the world a little more compassionate and wise. The sound of monastic horns and drums floats over the rooftops as the sun sets. Location: Boudha, Nepal Length: multiple circumambulations Companions: everyone Date: 13 June, 2024 Boudha at night
It's cool at night, and there are familiar faces everywhere I walk in Boudha. At the stupa I meet friends from Mexico, Hong Kong, Poland, we stop to eat momos together, and share stories and hopes. We walk clockwise, together and apart, joining the street dogs who are always here. Location: Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal Length: 2 km Companions: several Date: 11 June, 2024 Swayambhu to Tergar Osel Ling
Pilgrimage and sacred sites all over the place. There is so much I don't know about these ancient streets I'm walking on. Past that one air conditioned cafe. Around Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple. Through Buddha park, where golden statues of Padmasambhava, Shakyamuni and Chenrezig gaze across the crowded and noisy Ring Road. Across the Ring Road, somehow. Up the windy road, up the pathway, up the stairs. Cheerful monks coming down say I'm almost there. Views expanding, Kathmandu creeping up the sides of the surrounding mountains. Up to the top of the hill, where Tergar Osel Ling monastery sits in unfinished splendour, the monks debating in the courtyard while students drink buffalo milk tea and contemplate the nature of mind. Location: Kathmandu, Nepal Length: 4 km Companions: none Date: 31 May, 2024 Hamilton Beach
Beach walk from Burlington to Hamilton along the lake, with no shore in sight. Location: Burlington, ON Length: 3 km Companions: Mom Date: 7 April, 2024 Monongahela River to Allegheny River
Downtown architecture, bridges, street art, ball game crowds, fake magnolia trees on the street corner where I will meet a dear old friend tomorrow. Location: Pittsburgh, PA Length: 4 km Companions: none Date: 5 April, 2024 Spring Snowshoe
Tracks in the snow leading to a coyote nest overlooking the river. Waves of white cresting over the hills, partridge and deer keeping an eye on us, a small cold northerly breeze, happy to be out tromping through the spring snow. Location: Lethbridge, AB Length: 3 km Companions: Tom & Troy Date: 24 March, 2024 Dog Run Walk
My local walk, in the sun, in the mud, out of breath, on the stairs, chatting with Christine and jumping Gus along the way. Why don't I do this neighbourhood walk every day? Location: Lethbridge, AB Length: 3 km Companions: none Date: 12 March, 2024 Walk in the Snow
First snow of this winter, up in the mountains at the end of the Akamina Parkway. Snow falling straight down, quietly fluffing the ground and the burnt trees, still warm enough that streams are flowing. Location: Waterton National Park, AB Length: 3 km Companions: Tom Date: 6 January, 2024 Pavan New Year's Walk
First walk of the new year, visiting the river and the winter trees after some time away. Location: Lethbridge, AB Length: 3 km Companions: Tom Date: 1 January, 2024 Night River
It's dark by the time work ends, and it's the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and if we want to walk we have to do it in the dark, which, as it turns out, is a pleasure. Location: Lethbridge, AB Length: 3 km Companions: Troy Date: 12 December, 2023 Salt Air City Forest
A long walking day full of wonders, mostly within smell and view of the ocean, but the most beautiful part was a quiet path through the rainforest. Location: Vancouver, BC Length: 12 km Companions: Tom Date: 18 November, 2023 Walk among Rocks
The view is expansive, the golden-leaved Cottonwood trees are stunning, the hoodoos keep their secrets. Location: Writing on Stone Provincial Park Length: 4 km Companions: Heather & Daryle Date: 8 October, 2023 Gathering Walk
Collecting materials, images, ideas, perceptions...sitting in the bowl-shaped valley over the first hill beyond the hot water swamp where the spring first emerges from the ground, trying to connect to the ground, the hills, forest, grasses, sky, water, the creatures and stories that live here. Location: Boulder, Montana Length: 5 km Companions: None Date: 30 September, 2023 |
Author Sandra Cowan likes to walk on trails, paths, and city streets. She is based in southern Alberta, Canada, a visitor in the land of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy). Collaborations with Lethbridge Walking arts collective here: lethbridgewalking.weebly.com Archives
August 2024
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