My poles and me for another mile

Sask Power

It wasn’t as cold as I thought it might be. When I walked on the city streets I could find ways to be sheltered from the wind. My poles kept me steady through some of the snowbanks and across the icy streets.

We, my poles and I, walked the half mile to the Shopper’s Drug Mart for milk and sour cream then home again.

This is the Saskatchewan Power building.

“SaskPower head office: http://www.saskpower.com/about-us/our-company-and-strategic-direction/our-history/
Our head office building is a unique architectural achievement. Completed in 1963, it began in 1956 when Joseph Pettick, a Regina architect, was hired to design the new SaskPower head office.

The building was designed as a “flowing Y” shape to provide north facing offices with a view of Victoria Park, and to avoid cars exiting onto Victoria Avenue. This design was a distinct departure from the prevailing architectural styles at the time.

When completed, it was the tallest building in Saskatchewan with 13 floors. Due to its curved design, the building is actually longer than its lot, and is covered with over 650,000 wheat-coloured bricks. Yellow, white and gold window frames and solar screens on the exterior contrast the blue, green and purple mosaic tile in the lobby.

The interior design is also meant to evoke the prairie landscape — the 13th floor auditorium is even nicknamed “grasshopper belly!” ”

I’m glad I took a picture of this building. I’ll have to go up to the 13th floor and see the “grasshopper belly.” I see the sunset reflected in the windows every night. Perhaps I can take a picture toward my building. I have a goal for another walk day.

Walking woman is out of her element

Here I am on Vancouver Island and walking along twisting roads with giant trees and moss with fabulous rocks just within a quick jump out of the way of a vehicle careening around the bends. For urban prairie woman this is a challenge. With one earbud in my ear away from traffic and my umbrella tucked in my back pocket because it does seem to rain frequently, I walk.
I turned the opposite direction where a brown bear crossed the road hoping the bear crosses at the same place every time. With music playing in my ear I tried to forget about cougars or even squirrels.

Walking up crushed rock hills is a lot more strenuous than cement sidewalks in the city. Although I do see squirrels on my urban walks,they don’t startle me.

I am proud of myself for walking in this new strange place.