Hike #40 & 41: Summer in November

November 7, 2020 Hike #40: km 91.5 to 101.3 Sydenham (Ed. 28)

November 8, 2020 Hike #41: km 101.3 to 115.00 Sydenham (Ed. 28)

We were all smiles as we set out on the first of our two days of hiking.  Our first view in the morning was of the beautiful Inglis Falls.  The weather on this weekend was a gift we do not often get in November.  The summer like temperatures were quite a contrast to the weather we "enjoyed" two weeks prior.

This part of the trail runs parallel to the outskirts of Owen Sound, offering some views of the town from high up on the escarpment.  We happened upon quite a few spots where it looked like local youth partake in some partying.  I recall there were a few of those in Muskoka where I grew up.  This section of the trail offered me some time to work on my fear of heights.  There were many deep crevices to walk over - some of them wide enough that a long step "jump" was necessary.  I only froze once, briefly (I think).  There will be plenty of opportunity to work past this fear as we hike further up the Bruce Peninsula.

Our first day of hiking was over early enough that we had time to head into town and poke around some of the few local shops. We had fun visiting The Artist's Co-op;  and Barebirch among others and had an absolutely scrumptious take out dinner from Casero's.

Sunday dawned even more lovely that the day before and after caffeinating ourselves we eagerly set off to our starting point at the Pottawatomi Conservation area.  A long time friend met us there bearing gifts of cinnamon buns and apples from the farmers market.  After a few kilometers in the conservation area we walked along the road for a stretch and then the rail trail.  We met several lovely dogs (and their humans) along the way and had the good fortune of meeting a young lady and her horse Annie.  

All too soon our hike was over.  Feeling refreshed and relaxed after two days of nature, exercise and fresh air, we made our way back home to the suburbs.  Most likely we will not see the trails again until springtime.  Hopefully by then there might be some return of normality to our lives.  We are grateful for our time on the trails and the respite it provides from the pandemic.

Keep well, keep safe and most of all, stay positive.

Looking out from Inglis Falls at the start of day 1

Pears

A view of Owen Sound in the distance

Thankful for the help of a ladder and steps

At the start of day 2 

This was high up -
the photos never quite show the drop

hang on to that tree!

happy group

Nancy enjoying the vista from the edge of the escarpment

Does anyone else see a face in that rock?

"There is just one apple on the tree" ~ Sarah Harmer

A beautiful horse named Annie

"wild"life

A clear path

Through the escarpment rocks

Hike 38 & 39: It's About The Journey

October 24, 2020 Hike #38 km 68.9 to 79.0 Sydenham (Ed. 28)

October 25, 2020 Hike #39 km 79.0 to 91.5 Sydenham (Ed. 28)

Little by little, one travels far ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

We often get asked about our journey along the trail and the question that is most often asked is “when did you start?” When we answer “2015”, our instinct is to immediately excuse our tardiness as it was our intention to finish the complete end-to-end in 3 to 4 years. Although we have had many unforeseen circumstances keep us from hiking as often as we had planned, instead of feeling like we are not moving fast enough, we should be feeling very proud of our accomplishment thus far! Does it really matter how long it takes us? After all, it is about the journey, not the destination. 

Another question that we often get asked is “what has been your favourite part of the trail?” I think we unanimously agree that every part of the trail has been our favourite. Each kilometer of each section of the trail holds its own beauty. Some hikes are filled with vistas that take our breath away, others with trees that tower majestically overhead and seem to whisper to us as we pass through. There are gently babbling streams and rushing waterfalls, valleys and meadows and rockfaces that rise many meters above us. Sometimes the forest is silent except for the noise we make as we tromp along and at other times it is filled with the sounds of small animals and birds rushing about. It is all exquisite and words cannot do it justice. It must be seen, felt, smelled and heard.

It is difficult to put into words what our time on the trail together provides to us. There is nothing more nourishing for the soul than to be out in nature.  It soothes and calms in times of overwhelm; it mends our broken hearts; it teaches us perseverance and reminds us that life is for living. For every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, every blister or bug bite, the trail rewards us in ways that cannot easily be described. 

And so, we capture what we can in pictures.

Happy hikers on the trail again

Golden leaves, dark clouds and sunshine

Slippery ascent

Words of a solider carved long ago 

Early morning calm

Narrow crevice

Slippery descent 

Trees seemingly growing from rocks

Stunning Inglis Falls