Hike # 19: First Snow

Hike # 19 - October 28, 2016 - somewhere between 15 and 17 km through the Boyne Valley

I will let the pictures tell the story for the most part.  It was a pristine day to hike today in stark contrast to yesterday's grey skies, wind and rain.  A light dusting of snow was a clean white backdrop for the colours of autumn.  When I checked our route map this morning I was under the impression (misguided) that our hike would be mostly flat.  Instead we were treated to many ups and downs through the valley.  It was a bit tricky in parts due to the slushy snow on top of wet leaves. 

The beauty on the trail left me in awe.  I walked silently for the most part, taking in as many of the sights, sounds and scents of the forest as I could drink in (a much needed forest fix).  I was happy to be out with my friends, listening to their chatter, the sounds of our footsteps in the slushy snow,  sun on my face, fresh air in my lungs, worries fading.  Bliss.  

3 Happy Hikers

Hike # 18: On The Trail Again

Hike # 18: September 30, 2016 10.0 km

Finally, at long last, on the trail again.  We have not hiked since I broke my ankle/foot on May 15. Thankfully all is healed now and I felt ready to try out the repaired bones with a test hike.  It was a perfect trail and distance through Mono Cliffs Provincial Park for our first time hiking after such a long hiatus. The weather cooperated as well, dry and breezy and just warm enough.  

Much of the trail took us through beautiful hardwood forests with many tall maples and some beautiful birch.  As well, I spotted a beech tree, recognizing the little beechnuts (seed pods) which had fallen along the trail.  That brought back memories of childhood in Bala, Ont. where we used to collect them and string them together to make bracelets and necklaces. Most of the trees are still green with a few colourful spots here and there.  We did not see many signs wildlife except for a tiny toad, and some very fresh coyote scat (Valerie was brave enough to see if it was still warm) surrounded by some paw prints. 

Along the trail we caught up on the activities of each of our summers.  Valerie and Karen waited patiently all season for me to get better, bless them.  Now that we have had a taste of the trail again, we are eager to plan our next outing.  Hopefully on the next hike I will manage 15 km with my good camera (all of these were shot with my iphone).

Yay, hiking again!

Nice wide smooth trail through the hardwood forest

From the lookout

Lovely calm pond

Testing how mucky the bottom is

The final stretch was along the road 

Hike # 17: Hockley (Hilly) Valley

Hike # 17 -May 7, 2016 - 16.7 km 

After being delayed starting our hikes by ice storms and a gallbladder problem (me) we were anxious to get out on the trail and I was determined to not let my Achilles tendinitis delay us any further.

As our drive to the starting point is taking us longer now we decided to head out a little earlier than normal leaving at 6:30 am.

It was a beautiful May morning with sunshine and warm temperatures.  It did not take long before we were peeling off layers.  Normally chilly I spent almost the entire walk in a t-shirt.  Luckily enough there were no bugs, but I think the black flies will most likely be making an appearance very soon. Hopefully we can avoid the worst of them.

I was happy to see the Trillium's popping up over the landscape along with a wild bleeding heart and several other varieties of early spring wildflowers.  The birds were happily chirping away and the trail was a peaceful place to catch my breath and let the stresses melt away.

It was a hilly hike through the Hockley Valley trails, and our muscles were burning at the top of each hill. We were out of breath but noticed that our recovery time after each incline was faster than it used to be.  Though we were tired at the end of the hike it was a good kind of tired that only fresh air and activity can bring.

Tonight we are three tired but happy hikers glad to be on our journey once again.

Off we go on the trail

Hills and valleys

A walk down the road

Cedars along the creek

 A little waterfall

A big ole tree stump

Hiking through rock crevasses 

Trees damaged from the ice storm broken like matchsticks

Valerie blazing the trail

Millions and billions and zillions of Trilliums

Pretty pink flowers

Red Trillium

Wild bleeding heart

Pussy Willow

And finally a well deserved glass of wine  - Bruce Trail style