First Snowfall

You’ve seen it in photos, you’ve seen it in movies, you’ve also seen it on (some) mountain tops but your first snowfall experience has to be unique. Seeing everything around you in white itself is exhilarating. You also let out your hand to catch the falling snow and then examine the structure of snow. You eventually make a snowball to throw it at something or someone. Everyone who has had a first snowfall must’ve done this. But the experience is still unique for all. 3 things took me by surprise - I really didn’t know snow was shaped and sized. Snow is extremely light weight (my science knowledge shows). The white around can hurt your eye.

Wet snow was predicted in and around Calgary for the 3-4 Oct weekend. Sharan’s office had organized an “away day” and we were to go to Rafter 6 Ranch in the Kananaskis countryside for this. The snowfall there was supposed to be heavier. So we left in anticipation, as we drove out of Calgary and neared the mountains; we saw patches of snow over the prairie grasslands. The ducks were still wading in the ponds and lakes though. So it’s not that cold to freeze we thought happily, warm that we were inside the car. As we continued driving, the snowfall started. I tried curtailing the grin on my face by looking sideways, outside the window. It was beautiful. Everything… every thing was white. It was indeed a calendar picture sight. But we couldn’t stop to take any photos as it was the highway and we were warned to take it easy on these slippery roads.

The ranch looked lovely as we approached it. Sharan and I quickly got off the car to capture the moments. The ranch had 2 main buildings and some cottages around. A chapel was to one end and horse stables at the other. There was a ring nearby for those who wanted to ride horses. Though we thought we were well dressed to embrace snow, we slowly realized the cold embracing us. We hurried indoors as we had to be up for a long day ahead.

All through the day we were busy with various sessions Sharan’s office had organized. But I was constantly staring outside the window – With the woods and mountains nearby, the horses running around, the view was very scenic anyways, the fresh and heavy snowfall just made it more magnificent.

Late afternoon Avanti and I decided we had enough of indoors and decided to go for a stroll outside. It had stopped snowing. I realized that everything was so white around me that I actually found it difficult to keep my eyes wide open. But still we played in snow, walked around the ranch, went by the ranch horse and donkey (only because the owner was with us), and took some pictures before heading back indoors – satisfied of being in/with snow. Hot coffee inside was equally tempting.

I may still be awed when I see snow again in the near future. But my true love for snow will show in Feb-Mar when winter is darkest, coldest and harshest.

Here are some moments captured:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/akshatakaranth/FirstSnowfall3Oct09#