Stairs That Tell a Story: Default Stairs

Location: Ada Boulevard & 52 St.
Stair count: 89

I could be wrong, but it's my belief that anyone who lives in Edmonton, and uses the River Valley trail system with intention, has a set of "default stairs." It may not be their favourite set, or even the one closest to their home or place of work. But, for whatever reason, it's the set of stairs they gravitate to the most, or come across the most, when they are seeking to spend time in the River Valley.

Highlands Stairs (c) Photos By Gina

For me, it's the Highlands Stairs.* For much of the last 20 years that I've lived within walking distance of this part of the river valley, the stairs never even existed. As far as River Valley stairs go, they're a newer set. I want to say they were installed just before Covid--which really isn't new at this point, chronologically speaking, but between the much longer history of some sets of stairs, and that weird thing Covid did to time, they still feel new.

And I'm so glad they were installed.

They're the stairs I stand on to catch the sunset over the river when I wasn't planning to catch the sunset at all, but the sky had other plans.

They're the stairs where I do Canadian party tricks at -30°C.

They're the stairs from which I watch and listen as the frazil floats along the current.

They're the stairs I pause on to see if the water level is low enough to look for cool rocks along the shore.

They're the stairs I generally descend, but rarely ascend, because my walking habits generally take me in a loop, not out and back.

They're not the longest set; they're not the steepest set; I'm not even sure if they're my favourite set (do I have a favourite set? I will have to think on that). But they are definitely my default set. Easy-access and multi-purpose, they connect me to and from the river, the trails, and my neighbourhood--in all seasons.

My default stairs.

 

*They aren't officially named that, though some sets of River Valley stairs do have recognized names. But that's what I call them.

I Stand with the Muslims

As I learn about yet another racist assault on Muslim women in the city I live in, I'd like to take a minute to share a story.

I’ve been an AirBnB host for over six years. In my first year hosting, I had a young woman stay for a month as she getting started as a PhD student at the UofA.

She was Muslim.

I am Christian.

Throughout her four-week stay, I showed her around. Coming from a large city in the middle of the desert, she was keen on spending time in nature. So I took her to Elk Island National Park, down into the River Valley, and--upon request--I found her a wheat field to stand in.

I took her to Ikea to get what she needed for her new apartment, and to the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market to show her where to buy local close to campus. I Googled the Halal shops close by. I accompanied her on a walk or two.

In all this, we talked about our different upbringings, our different cultural experiences, and our different faiths—I remember she openly answered my curious questions about her faith practices, and the principles that guide them. I think I did the same for her.

She reached out a few times after she’d moved. She was making friends with other international students, and they sometimes had questions as they tried to immerse themselves in various aspects of “Edmonton culture” for the first time. One particular summer evening, she texted and said she and her friends were going tent camping in Jasper for the first time that weekend. She wanted me to come; partly for company, but partly, I'm pretty sure, as the Canadian Camping Expert. I couldn’t go, but I offered up my camping gear so they wouldn’t have to buy everything new.

That was the day I stood in my garage and showed a Muslim woman and her friend how to pitch a tent.

I don’t remember most of the conversations we had. I just remember she had such a posture of humility. She was open to conversation without judgement or pretense. She had a delightful sense of humour. She was open to trying new things. She was disciplined in her studies as well as her faith.

I've thought of her, and other Muslim women I know, often this past year, as these acts of racism and hate keep happening. I don’t have any heroic point to make here other than to show that she is a person--with hopes, joys, and a life—just like every other Muslim in Edmonton and Alberta.

Let me just say that if you’re the kind of individual who is bothered by people who look, dress, or live differently than you, YOU’RE the one who can go elsewhere. I stand with the Muslim women who've been attacked this year, and all those who are at risk of discrimination and attack as they simply go about the business of living. They have every right to be here and to exist as you or I.

The 365-day Project that Took 8 Years (AND SOTC 365/365)

Have you ever gotten so intimate with a saskatoon berry? My yearly tradition of foraging a few cups of saskatoons from Edmonton's River Valley completed my SOTC photo challenge this past summer.*

I do love a good photo challenge. A few years ago, I turned a gratitude challenge into a photographic one; I spent the next summer hunting down instagrammable walls in Edmonton; and, I currently have an ongoing challenge to sit in a Red Chair in every one of Canada's national parks/historic sites before I die--with picture proof, of course.

My first photo challenge was a 365 project where I captured a photo of myself every single day for one year. As soon as that one was complete, I set myself up for a second 365 challenge--a photo each day straight off the camera (SOTC); no post-processing of any kind. However, 30 days in, I was struggling to keep up the creative juices. While the first 365 project was essentially photo documentation of my daily life, my Straight Off The Camera challenge was more about being able to work a subject or composition. But, you know what? Some days I just don't feel like taking photos. I doubt even professional photographers take photos every single day.

So I re-wrote the challenge. Still 365 un-processed images... with an open time line.

And so here we are.

That project started on September 1, 2012, and concluded July 27, 2020. The 365 project that took 2887 days.

I have to admit, I'm not sure if this challenge resulted in me creating more un-processed final images or not. As my photography has evolved, so has my "vision" for some of the images I compose--sometimes I create compositions that I fully intend to run through Photoshop before I even click the shutter.

However, my first love is capturing this big, beautiful world "as is"--there is a strong element of realism in my photography, and so I know my satisfaction with getting the shot I want fully in-camera has certainly increased, because sometimes the elements are against me! In this project, occasionally I got one on the first try. Other times, it took upwards of 20 shots to get the one I wanted. I also put concerted effort into capturing a variety of compositions to stretch my comfort zone.

My creative drive has taken a bit of a hit with the pandemic this year; as for so many people, my mind has often just been elsewhere. Nevertheless, I know that photography soothes my soul, and my camera is never far from my side. While I will be spending time this winter learning more about post-processing, there's nothing quite like getting it "right" in-camera. I know I will continue to stretch my compositional skills as much behind the lens as in front of the screen.

P.S. I am blogging less these days... the best way to keep up with my fine art photography is by following me on Instagram: @photosbygina.yeg.

* It also completed the life span of my camera, the shutter mechanism of which started failing minutes after this image was taken. Many digital cameras like mine have an average "mileage" of 100,000 shutter clicks. In seven years with that camera, I'm sure I reached or exceeded that. It is costly to repair the shutter when compared to the cost of a new camera body, so I upgraded to a similar but newer model. RIP Canon 70D.

SOTC 357/365

SOTC 352/365

SOTC 340/365

When a group of citizens gathers together to affirm life, peace, joy, and love by sending light out into the world, it is beautiful.

SOTC 318/365

Right on Time

As a photographer, my knowledge of seasonal timelines is pretty good. I know that the tulips poke their noses through the earth by Spring Break always; that they'll be in full bloom by the beginning of May. I know the canola is at its best right in the middle of July. I know that November sunrises align well with my morning routine (and they are specTACular!).

And I know that autumn in Edmonton generally reaches its peak in the last week of September.

With not one--but two--snowfalls before the autumnal equinox, I thought for sure that any colour left after so many trees had lost still-green leaves would be a very short sight indeed. And since September is my busiest month work-wise anyway, I wasn't paying much attention.

But today I had a different commute than usual--one that took me over the river valley--and I could not help but catch sight of the colours.

Turns out autumn showed up right on time.

SOTC 305/365

"Of all the paths you take in life,

make sure a few of them are dirt."

- John Muir

SOTC 266/365

#IAmGrateful 21

Nature

Even at -20C, nature still moves about, inviting us into moments of wonder, delight, and awe. I am so grateful.

 

(c) Photos by Gina

 

#IAmGrateful 20

Challenge

(c) Photos by Gina

Challenge is when I can't see the end of the road, the top of the mountain, or anything more than the next step in front of me--yet I know I must keep going.

Challenge is a call to perseverance and daring; awakening my inner strength, just when we were getting comfortable.

Challenge tests my my boundaries, my integrity, and my stick-with-it-ness.

It reminds me to trust the One who is really in control.

Challenge is air in my lungs, power in my stride, and fire in my eyes.

#IAmGrateful.

"You can't fall if you don't climb. But there's no joy

in living your whole life on the ground."

- Unknown

Out to the Very Edge

I come down the shadowed trail
and into the clearing.
The sky and my lungs open in tandem.

The view is breathtaking even from the trail--
still, it beckons me forward.

You want the best I have to offer?
Come out to the very edge.

It is a thin space between the edge
and the place where gravity reminds you
how unforgiving it is.

The edge deserves my respect;
requires confidence with care.

Calculated steps.

My heart beats a touch faster.
I move from standing to crouching,
tightening my centre of gravity,
hands and feet now moving
together
over the rough stone

Equal parts terrifying and exhilarating

Towards the precipice
where
I gingerly sit myself down,
bring my legs out in front of me--

And I am above the traffic,
above the river;
above even most birds
busy breakfasting in the trees.

(c) Photos by Gina

Come out to the very edge;
see the best I have to offer;

The wind swirls around me
but
my heartbeat settles

I remember that
I accepted the invitation into this moment
and this space

And it is from here that
I can take in the clarity of the landscape before me
and the bright light
of a new day

SOTC 236/365

SOTC 227/365

SOTC 216/365

When autumn and winter coincide.

SOTC 206/365

That Time Spring Came Early (SOTC 191/365)

The river is low, desperate for water;
the branches have yet to bud,
and feet still shuffle through brown leaves
unearthed by the melted ice.

But the sunshine still feels
SO good.

SOTC 179/365

September, you're beautiful.

SOTC 168/365

The sky was pasty with clouds; I did not think a nice sunset was bound to happen, and had focused my camera towards other things. When I paused to stretch and turned around...