After about a week of overcast, drizzly weather, the past couple of days have been blindingly sunny and beautiful. There's been something of a heatwave lingering, with average daytime temperatures of around 10-15 degrees. We haven't wanted to waste what could be the last great weather before the snow falls so we've been getting out and about and exploring the town.
Zane and I went on a two hour walk right around the historical part of Fernie, out through the rural area and then home alongside Elk River. You can see the photos from our trekking below. It was pretty overcast when we started and we had to trek through quite a bit of mud but once we got through the fields the trail went onto stone paths and then through the forest. It was beautiful and quiet, so green and lush, and despite the serenity of the moment, I couldn't stop my brain from thinking about bears. It didn't put my mind at ease that I couldn't remember whether it's the grizzly or the black bear that you make a lot of noise or play dead upon sight...
No need to worry though, no bears sighted. There have been two black bears meandering around town lately, according to the "bear corner" section of the Fernie Free Press (which isn't free, go figure). The section allows people to report bear sightings but, due to the impending cold, it is going into hibernation from next week har har.
This particular blog is called the Fernie Phenomenon. This alludes to the mysterious condition that we have noted that many locals appear to be ailed with. The name has arisen because I like alliteration. We were thinking Fernie Fever, Fernie Feeling but I like Fernie Phenomenon as it makes me think of the muppets... phenomenon doo doo doo doo doo...
Anyway, the Fernie Phenomenon refers to the strange condition where people that move to Fernie for a season, holiday or brief interlude, seem to settle down and stay in Fernie... FOREVER. Everyone that we talk to has said the same thing "Oh you know, I came here X years ago, just for a few months and now here I am years/decades/centuries later. Fernie does that". And everyone that we talk to gets this knowing look in their eye when we say we're only here for a few months. It's a look that says "Yeah sure, just a few months. You're here forever". I'm not sure if it's the abundance of powder in the Winter, or the nature and wildlife of the Summer, or the year-round activities, or the friendly locals, or the feeling you get like you just belong here.... Fernie takes you over and soon enough you're STUCK!
It's probably not a bad thing, the Fernie Phenomenon. Everyone here seems so happy! Maybe there's something in the crystal clean mountain air, maybe they put something in the water. All's I know, I don't think it would be a bad place to get caught up in.
Lots of Fernie love, T and Z.
This is the view from just near our house. The mountain in the background is where Fernie Alpine Resort is located.
Clearly Robyn and I weren't the only ones getting our carve on over Halloween.
This is a field we walked along, out in the rural area of Fernie. There was a cute little battered down cottage and ute.
The Trans-Canada rail line runs right along Fernie. Coal trains go through a couple of times a day including a really appreciated 5:15am wake-up route.
Zane next to the Elk River
A water feature at the Fernie Golf Course
Annex Park is just over the bridge from our house
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