59 F/ 15 C

The north river can
fool me into thinking I'm
out in the boondocks

~carliewired

According to the forecast, we were not to expect sunshine today, so when it poured into my house this morning, I scrambled to get out with my camera. 

I left the house before 7 with plans to go north on Westsyde Road, then take the McClure ferry over to the Yellowhead Highway to home. 

I drove through the community of Westsyde, where I taught at the elementary school there for 25 years before the building was closed. I was soon onto the two-lane winding road heading for the ferry. 

I took note of the sunny slopes covered in balsamroot in bloom. That yellow brightens the landscape. Saskatoon bushes are also in full bloom along the roadway and hillsides. Their shaggy white blooms will turn into berries to feed birds and bears. 

Three lovely does dashed across the road in front of me, then disappeared into the underbrush. One paused to look back at me through the foliage. They are too fast for me. 

A long stretch of the road is under construction with the southbound lane torn up completely. I was happy that I planned to return home on the highway instead. 

I caught a view of the river as it bends around Jensen Island and again where the ferry crosses between Westsyde Road and McClure. 

I've wondered how long the decaying cabin can stand. I've watched it deteriorate over many years. 

My last shot of the landing in McClure caught the ferryman coming up for a coffee. We had a brief chat about the weather, then I turned for home. 

I'm hoping to have a visit with a friend over dinner this evening. I'm getting very brave for a hermit.