The day was unseasonably warm as we started the engine and pulled away from the NCEM headquarters parking lot.  With only a hoodie and light windbreaker, I felt toasty.  I basked in the heat from the sun and looked forward to the drive...
Walter revved the engine and got the feel for the open road.  The new-to-us vehicle rode well and handled the bumps and unexpected turns with ease.  A grin brightened his face as the powerful four-wheel drive picked up speed and he veered for the sand trail.
THE SAND TRAIL?
"Adventures with Walter" continue as we went off-road on our newly acquired Honda Quad ATV! 
Just before noon today, a friend delivered his used quad to us and we made the transaction.  No sooner had our friend pulled away from the lot, than Walter said, "Let's go!"  I ran into our suite and put on an extra layer before climbing up on the passenger seat.  Walter straddled the machine, turned the key and pressed the ignition button.  It growled to life and we wheeled - okay, maybe we just accelerated  gradually - as Walter got the feel for it!  I gripped the handles and rested my arms on the padded armrest.  As the wind blew my hair back, I pulled up the hood of my bunnyhug and raised my face to enjoy the fresh breeze.  What a glorious day!
The trails north of the headquarters compound outside of Prince Albert lead into a maze in the forest.  We have walked along various trails and have met folks on ATV or dune buggy contraptions back there over the summer.  A brown and gold sign at the beginning of the main trail informs adventurers that it is "Wildlife Management" land.  We have seen a deer or two but that's about all.  Today we followed the familiar trails until we came to the farthest point we have made on foot...but would we  "boldly go where no Selke has gone before?"
For sure!  We followed the trail around a curve and found ourselves winding through some trees to a sudden descent.  Walter hesitated before slowly manoeuvering the rutted path down to the river.  I think it is the Shell River that winds through forest, golf course, under a bridge and towards the North Saskatchewan River towards Prince Albert. 

Tracks took us along the shoreline a ways, then abruptly stopped at the water.  With only four to six inches flowing in the river this fall, Walter steered into the lazy current and we went across to the other side, where more sandy shoreline wound. Soon we came to where beavers had attempted to dam the flow and decided to turn back the way we had come.
Up and away we flew, finding new paths and following the basic direction of the river.  Certain areas had washed out at some point this year and new side trails could be seen that we opted to take.  Up, down, around and northwest we drove.  We stopped at a scenic to take pictures.

Although the quad ran well and handled fine, we didn't take too much risk, but stayed on well worn trails and kept the sun's location in mind.  We spooked a deer ahead of us.  We heard a raven call.  Otherwise it was a quiet and beautiful ride alone among the birch and pines. 
Just when I began to wonder if we knew where we were and if we would meet up with that main sandy trail again, we did!
I felt a little guilty as we entered the parking lot.  It is a Monday afternoon and the office staff and printshop guys and Tribal Trails crew were all diligently tending to their work.  Walter and I were taking a day off!  The sense of guilt turned into thanksgiving as we looked at each other's wind-reddened and smiling faces!  God has provided an ideal opportunity and a modest machine for us to enjoy the amazing autumn day. 
THANK YOU, LORD!