Solace

"Earth has no sorrow that earth cannot heal." ~ John Muir 

I mentioned yesterday that I'd really needed this, to be out here. Those of you who follow me on Facebook might have seen my post a few days ago mentioning my current bout with depression. It comes and it goes, but it will always be there. I've been coping with a strong wave of it for several months now, and the cause remains unresolved. And with Christmas right around the corner- which guarantees another wave- even if this one stops tomorrow, the next will be coming. Getting out here helped a bit.

Muir was right: "in every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."

Peace

 The Champlain Lookout is an ideal spot to spend time in, to let the wind blow in your face, and find some peace.

I descended to the lower area.

There is a hiking trail one can take as well.

I really needed this.

Views

 My first stop in Gatineau Park was at the Champlain Lookout. Here at the end of one of the parkways is the last of three lookout areas, and the most spectacular. The southern flank of the Gatineau Hills is called the Eardley Escarpment, where the heights of the park descend dramatically below to the valley floor. In the distance, the Ottawa River can be seen. On the far shore is the northwestern portion of the city of Ottawa- in fact countryside and small villages in this area. That is reflected on this side of the river, classic Quebec countryside of the Ottawa Valley.

There are a series of panels here explaining the geological history of the region.

I was here at just the right time.

I took a panoramic shot.

One more shot for today. I have more from this location over the next two days.

Beauty

 One morning I walked around the Glebe, photographing fall colours around homes.

This is St. Patrick Basilica downtown. It has particularly vivid fall colours on the trees alongside it.

I passed near the future main branch of the Ottawa Public Library. The fall colours nearby caught my eye.

I was headed for a shuttle going into the Gatineau Hills. En route, the shuttle stopped briefly by a cemetery in Gatineau. This was a new route, and unfamiliar territory for me.

As the shuttle moved through Gatineau Park, I took photos out the window at the woodland, turning into its autumn glory. Most of the Gatineau Hills are contained within the region Les Collines-des-l'Outaouais.