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

Hike # 37 The Long Unwinding Road

June 29, 2020 Hike #37 km 54.9 to 68.9 Sydenham

We had not been looking forward to this hike considering most of it was along the road and we were concerned about the heat.  Three of us started out at just past 9:30 (our fourth, Nancy was absent as she was feeling under the weather). As it turned out, the day was quite warm, but not overly humid, and there was a cool breeze off Georgian Bay in the distance that kept us comfortable.  Thanks to another re-route we hiked along quiet gravel roads instead of Hwy 26.  The benefits of a road walk became apparent when we finished the 14 km in a quick 3 hours and 25 minutes including a snack and lunch break! 

We were in the bush for a short part of this stretch and it became apparent that the mosquitos had finally arrived.  We doused ourselves in bug spray and Valerie and Karen donned their bug nets.  I toughed it out as the mosquitos were not pestering me overly much.

The views along the way were lovely. Fields that stretched for miles and beautiful blue skies.  After we finished, we treated ourselves out to an early supper (2nd lunch) on the outdoor patio at MudtownStation.  Afterwards, we walked along the waterway reading the plaques along the way which provided some information about the history of Owen Sound.

Although we prefer the forest walks, we were pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this hike was.  A good lesson as we really do not know what lies ahead – stay present!

It is difficult to take a distanced selfie!

Long road ahead

Blue skies  and sunshine

Chicory

Cross roads

Views across the fields

Escarpment in the distance

Finally into the woods where
it was cooler, but lots of mosquitos!

Through the long grasses

Leopard frog

Musk Mallow

Freighter - Owen Sound

Big propellor

Hike # 36 These Boots Were Made For Hiking

June 13, 2020 Hike #36 km 44.4 to km 54.9 Sydenham

In the last blog I wrote about the rocky terrain that we sometimes find ourselves hiking over which requires that you pay focused attention to where your feet are landing. I neglected to mention the important role of a good pair of hiking boots.  I prefer high boots for the ankle support (I have broken my ankle twice [not hiking!] ). I hope to take my current boots to the end of the trail in Tobermory. There is a lot of great hiking gear available to make your hikes more comfortable, but the most important thing to take along the trail is great hiking companions!

This portion of the tail took us on a short walk down the road and then into the beautiful Bayview Escarpment Provincial Nature Reserve.  There were a few other hikers along the way enjoying the day which was clear, cool and bug free!  

Many portions of the trail are dizzyingly high up on the escarpment with the turkey vultures soaring on the thermals at the same level as us.  It is humbling to consider how long ago the glaciers helped form the escarpment that the Bruce Trail follows along.

Your Rocky Spine

I was lost in the lakes
And the shapes that your body makes
That your body makes
That your body makes, that your body makes

And the mountains said I will find you here
They whispered the snow and the leaves in my ear
I traced my finger along your trails
And your body was the map, I was lost in it

Falling over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you and now you're mine
Falling over your rocky spine
The glaciers made you and now you're mine

I was moving across your frozen veneer
The sky was dark but you were clear
Could you feel my footsteps?
And would you shatter, would you shatter? Would you?

With your soft fingers between my claws
Like purity against resolve
I could tell then there we were formed from the clay
And came from the rocks for the earth to display

They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rose up there, in this rage through your hair
They told me to be careful up there
Where the wind rages through your hair

 ~ Tony Dekker 

Great Lake Swimmers

Starting out for the day.. at a distance 

These boots were made for hiking

Along the road for a short distance

Not too curious cows

Beautiful day

Blaze showing us the way

At the edge looking out and over

View from the top - you can just see Georgian Bay in the distance

Karen - Stopping for a snack.. and a phone call lol

Snack time - Nancy

Valerie

Trail time

Fantastic Ferns

Hanging on

Window through the escarpment

Tall Maples

We have now surpassed the 600 km mark and we are now officially more than two thirds of the way finished - woo hoo!

Hike # 35 Rocky Path and Crevices

June 6, 2020 Hike # 35 km 34.5 to km 44.4 Sydenham

Sometimes we forget that there is a big difference between walking and hiking.  Not always are the paths as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, and this was one of those trails. It is a shame on such a scenic route that we spend most of the time looking at where our feet are landing and occasionally looking up to check for blazes instead of being able to take in all that the forest  has to offer.  Usually the minute I look up is when I stumble.  Stub a toe, trip on a root, twist bend an ankle a wee bit too far... ✔✔✔

When we weren't looking at our feet the trail was absolutely perfect. Blue skies, a cool breeze, a gorgeous green canopy,  and sans bugs again! The trilliums were just dying out but an abundance of other wildflowers were blooming - wild strawberry, wild violet, buttercups and many more. The song birds serenaded us along the way with their cheerful chit chat.  We were fortunate enough to spot the bright red feathers of a scarlet tanager in the trees while we were having lunch.  His song was a very pretty one.

The trail took us along the escarpment with its deep crevices and some very scenic views.  Hiking through the narrow crevices - so narrow at one point you had to twist sideways to get through - was very cool 😎(and cool ).🌡