As I write this looking out the window of the Pass Herald office, I see something I haven’t seen in months.

Just sitting alone, minding it’s own business acting like it’s not bothering anyone when in reality, it’s made its first late year appearance far too early for my liking.

That’s right, there’s snow on top of Turtle Mountain.

Now, I realize that as your reading this it might very well have melted already as the temperatures for the rest of this week are into the 20 degree range but that doesn’t change the fact that on Monday, September 7th, there was snow on local mountain tops.

Snow in and of itself isn’t all that bad.

In fact depending on its use I’m quite fond of it.

It’s just when it falls early in September and gives a short little reminder that yes indeed your summer is almost over, that rubs me the wrong way.

I like to explore and most of that exploring only takes place in the summer.

Once that first sign of colder temperatures and wintery days arrives, I feel I’m losing my chances to still explore our great area.

I’ve loved being out and about this summer, exploring different mountain ranges and waterfalls with family and friends and now that little reminder that summer is almost gone leaves me hoping I get a couple more chances to go out and explore.

It’s not that I physically can’t explore in the winter, it’s just that it becomes more of a project in the cooler months.

It’s more important to bring multiple layers of clothing for changing temperatures and then all that extra weight just slows me down.

I’m glad I have one more weekend ahead planned with two of my sisters to climb Window Mountain this coming Sunday.

It will be a nice cap to the ranges I’ve climbed so far this year and will give me another unique vantage point of the Crowsnest Pass.

I can’t wait until next summer when I’ll continue my quest to climb all the major mountains in the Crowsnest Pass, including Crowsnest Mountain itself.