The swimming pool where I destress after work is closed for its annual yearly maintenance, so by Sunday I was in need of some exercise and connecting with nature. Saturday evening the ground was covered with a thin layer of fresh snow and Sunday morning did not look too promising for sunshine. I coerced my sister to accompany me to the butte to search for Spring flowers and spend a few hours connecting with Mother Earth.

We set out about noon with the sun breaking through the clouds. The butte is about a forty-five minute hike with about 300 metres elevation gain.

The front side of the butte is open grassland and one of the first places in the area to be free of winter snow. But there was snow along the path and snow clung to the branches of the trees.

Approaching the top of the butte we had to pass by an old tree leaning into the hillside.Around the other side of the tree was a large hole which contained a small journal book and several small toys. We opened the book and found a message from Katie who had chosen this tree to create a tree house. There were numerous messages from others who had visited. We left a message, returned the book to safe keeping in the tree and ventured to my favorite tree at the top of the butte.

At the top there is an old tree that has huge roots hugging the rocky ground. This year some handy person has created a bench which sits near the tree allowing you to sit and soak up the beauty of the mountains or the warming rays of the sun. Neither was offered as the low clouds covered the mountains and from our viewpoint we could see storm cells in the valley below.

The tree with lingering fresh snow

The beauty of the mountains was hidden by the threating snow clouds

Because the wind was chilly, we did not linger too long at the top. Instead we started down the back side where we encountered more snow among the trees.

Large snowflakes began to come down so we altered our direction to head back to the car. However, the snow squall did not last long and the sun attempted to burst through the clouds. Coming back through the grassland there were numerous bunches of Pasque flowers (Pulsatilla) poking their heads through the grass.

Also found in the snow were yellow bells and Spring Beauty – very tiny white flowers with pink centres.

The most abundant were the bluebells with their striking blue color dotting the grassland and nodding in the breeze.

Ah, winter, I do believe you are losing the battle and Spring is telling you it is time to relinquish your hold and let the beauty of Spring burst forth.

Almost …. Yeah Spring!