Tawatina Bridge -- a must see

I think it's probably safe to say that a lot of people in Riverdale, Cloverdale and surrounding communities here in Edmonton were quite heartbroken by the closure of the pedestrian/bike bridge for the construction of the Valley LRT line back in 2016. Five years is a long time to wait to walk across the river to visit each other.

Shadow and I walked the old footbridge quite a bit with his people, neighbours and friends back in his puppyhood. It was an important link in the River Valley corridor that so many people love, and a lot of people missed it. 

Lee and I watched and commented on the progress of the construction of its replacement, Tawatina Bridge, every time we walked the dog in Strathearn Park, which overlooks the site. And we were really thrilled when it reopened on December 12... so much so that we took Shadow and went down a couple of hours in advance of its official opening to check it out (and avoid the crowds). 

It definitely didn't disappoint.

It is (or soon will be) a functional transit bridge for the Valley Line, yes, but it's also a cultural space with art by Indigenous artists that speak to Indigenous history, to the creatures that live here, and to our connections as human beings to the web of life. My poor little camera can't do the artwork justice -- you'll just have to see it for yourself. I've been there three times already, and look forward to going back again, because there's always more to notice... and I love being near the river, too.

Why not check Tawatina Bridge out for yourself? (And tell me about your favourite art work there? I love the painting of the view to the top of the teepee -- not pictured here -- the "beaded" images of people, and all the different animals...)

May this bridge always remind Edmontonians that we are responsible for working for truth and reconciliation, upholding our part in Treaty Six, and respecting all community members: human, animal, plant, air, water, earth and fire...

Skating solo

I can't remember the last time I went skating all by myself. Over the almost 30 years of my marriage, I've always had my partner, my kids, or a friend to go along with me.

And for the last three winters, I don't think I managed to go skating even once. With a dog to walk, and all the trekking of the valleys and ravines of Edmonton we've been doing, we just never seemed to go skating. But this winter I vowed to put my skates to use at least once. 

I suggested heading to Victoria Oval or Hawrylak Lake several times over this wintry season, but no one seemed very keen. Then it got so cold, it felt like there was no point going as there are no warm skate shacks where people can lace up thanks to covid, and I didn't much relish going through the effort for a short skate with frozen toes... I wanted it to be a good long one! Maybe I'm a wimp, but I'm a warm one!

Last night's weather forecast said today would be balmy in comparison to the last two weeks -- above zero! So I made plans to go skating by myself. Since my partner is working from home, I have the car and decided to drive myself to Hawrylak Park to loop the islands on the lake. As I left, I told my daughter I'd be back shortly, after a good skate.

What I had forgotten was that the Silver Skate Festival is happening at the park, and of course, I had to see it all... snow sculptures, snow flowers, the "undersea garden" area, and the new Community League Plaza (which quietly opened during this pandemic), before I skated. 

My early morning timing was perfect -- there weren't too many people around so I didn't need to wear my mask, and the ice was smooth from the flooding and lower numbers of skaters during the cold snap. So I had a lovely two hours looking at art, listening to stories told by Indigenous Elders, and gliding around the two islands in the lake on my skates. I imagine the whole area would be magical at night as it's illuminated with different coloured lights.

It was lovely to be there on my own... usually, I want to really look at things, and it was wonderful to go at my own pace instead of being rushed along by impatient folks! By the time I left, people were arriving by the droves, and I was glad to be heading home before mask wearing became necessary. Those darn masks fog up my glasses!

The Silver Skate Festival runs just two more days, until February 21st. If you're planning to attend, I'd recommend going early in the day, as I expect the crowds who stayed away while we were in the deep freeze will come out by the thousands this weekend. And If you don't plan on going, you can always check out the festival's website... and my photos below.

If the ice doesn't melt too quickly, maybe I'll see you on Victoria oval in the next few weeks. Have a good weekend!

My fave in the snow sculpture competition --
owl and fox in masks!

Snow flowers...

This fellow accompanies an interesting folktale
about envy trolls...

A school of fish. 
Wish I'd gotten pictures of the jelly fish in the pines...

The Community League Plaza
has an interesting display about the
100 years of Edmonton's Community Leagues.

Stories in Indigenous languages can be heard
in the four seasons section of the Silver Skate displays...

This would make for a fun family photo!

#holyroodbenchproject update #3 -- two blue benches

Last week I saw SEESA's Executive Director, Kim, when we were both out for an evening walk (or maybe she was heading to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival?). Her neighbourly bench had been missing for a few weeks, and when I asked her where it went, she said that one of the artists at SEESA was repainting it for her. Seems the benches in the neighbourhood, besides giving people a place to rest, have inspired more art too. Here's Kim's bench...

Who doesn't love Van Gogh's Starry Night ... 

this one above with a bit of an Edmonton skyline 

and some hidden objects for the kids to find...

Elsewhere in the neighbourhood, 

this bench (above) recently appeared.

(To see others, click here).

I'm wondering if this latest one is paying homage

to the Arrogant Worms' song about

the pirates on the River Saskatchewan...

If you've never heard that tune, 

here's a humourous cover version 

by Edmonton folk-rock band, Captain Tractor...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G_L9tXEwmc

Even though our perennials are mostly past their peak,

it's still a lovely day to sit and enjoy a neighbourly bench. 

If you're interested in sharing a bench like this 

with your neighbours, they cost $100

and can be ordered from SEESA at (780) 468-1985.

What a little yarn can do...

Shadow has found himself a sunbeam, and I'm doing laundry this morning, and finishing a project. For Christmas, I got my honey some 10 lb (4.5 kg) weights, second hand. They were a bit rusty and rough, so I found some yarn left over from a toque making project and covered the lumpy and bumpy ends of the barbells. They look a little like flowers or something now. I asked my man if perhaps he wanted me to find a different colour, but his comment was, "These will wake me up in the mornings!" so nothing extra was spent to renovate the weights. They won't be scratching any surfaces, at least. Now we'll see if he actually uses them...









I get a charge out of the amazing projects some people come up with using a little wool. In downtown Edmonton last winter (or was it the winter before?) Robertson Wesley United Church had a whimsical display around their building, with a few trees covered in knitting and crocheting, and a woolen sign on the fence saying, "Communknitty."

In a similar style, the tree above is crocheted, a definite double-take maker, part of a fundraiser for victims of domestic violence in Indiana, in which artists designed sweaters for 23 trees, and people voted for their favourites by donation to the fundraiser. Isn't this wild?!

Of course, trees and nature don't need embellishment, so I think I'll stick with practical projects. Have a good weekend, all!