Ranney Hill and The Northern Lights!

As I said on my previous post, Nigel, Mel and I (with Otis, of course) decided we should go for a hike after lunch! It is such a beautiful day! Sunny and warm! The first trail we were going to go on was Prosperous Trail, but to get to it, you have to pay to go into the park and all of us didn't bring any money. After consulting the hiker's book, we decided to go to Ranney Hill!

Bug spray on, dog leashed, cameras ready (except Mel forgot to put her memory card back into her camera), off we went. The first part of the trail was a bit muddy, not bad. Came across a lake and Otis thought it would be a good idea to grab a drink. As he was walking in, he sunk into about a foot of soot! He didn't like that! And a few minutes later, we came across some tree limbs laid down to walk over some very deep wet soot, except Otis thought it would be good to go in! Black on the bottom and golden on the top! Back on the trail, and about a half hour later, after climbing the rocks (no, not rock climbing yet), we were at the top of a breathtaking view of the Northwest Territories with Yellowknife in the foreground! As we were reaching the top, I thought to myself and getting ready to say, all we need is an eagle and Nigel pointed to 2 bald eagles. A very magical moment. It was so peaceful up on the hill! And from the hill you get the vastness of the land, and the isolation one may experience up here in the north!

After a bit of searching for the trail...off we went back down and into the soot Otis went! Even though it was a short hike, it was one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on!

When we got back, Otis had a bath, along with the rest of us having showers.

Mel decided she was going to go off and have a few drinks with her friends, Nigel and I stayed home and played cards (hand and foot and phase 10). Around 11:30, we looked outside and the Northern Lights were a dancin' all over the sky. Mel decided she was going dancing with her friends and Nigel and I got in the car and chased the lights!

Even though the lights were quiet, they were all over the sky. No matter where you looked, there was something going on in the sky. First stop was the Welcome to Yellowknife sign. Nigel got a good picture there. (Will post later, most of the good shots are on his camera). One place Nigel wanted to get some photos is the old abandoned mine, so off we went there! Lots of traffic. Got some good shots and back in the car and headed to Prosperous Lake. The Lake was still and the lights were a dancin'. Lots of curtains, more white tonight, some green and every so often some red!

The mosquitoes were getting to both of us. Around 2 am, we decided to head back home! A wonderful way to spend a Saturday night in Yellowknife!

Finally in bed at 3! Need to get some sleep, 'cause tomorrow, is rock climbing day! Packing a getting ready for the journey home to Guelph!

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