Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

Here are some tips that I follow so that we don't get over-heated during summer hiking:

Timing— Get out on the trails as early as possible to beat the heat.

The Seaton Trails have so much Tree Cover

Tree Cover – Hike primarily in old-growth forests as opposed to meadows that provide less shade.Shady trees can make the air feel cooler by 5-10 degrees celsius.That’s cool comfort when you have a 25 lb load and are hiking up-hill.Leave the long meadow walks for the winter when you really need the extra vitamin D.

Light-weight and longer sleeves work well; lots of water, too!

Water – Hydrate yourself and a toddler with regular sips of water. It might mean an extra diaper change and a bio-break amongst the bushes. But, that’s better that a white-dry mouth and heat exhaustion.

Top choice... water!

Wear light clothing – Even if you wear longer-sleeves and long-legged pants to prevent bites, scrapes, and sun-burn, you can find natural and synthetic materials that are breathable. 

Hats – Many people avoid hats when exercising as they tend to prevent heat from escaping the body. Still, many advise to cover your child’s head with a brimmed hat to avoid sun-exposure and heat-capture. Even if getting a hat on your child's head is a feat in itself, use a carrier with a sun hood to increase shade in sunny meadows.  Most soft carriers and steel-framed carriers have one.

Now, which of these tots do you think is cooler of the two? 
Hint: Not the grumpy-looking one who pulled back the stroller shade
and refused to wear her hat.

Take a break! — If you feel too tired midway through a hike, stop and rest.  Cool your body down in the shade of a tree or even in a river that runs near the trail.  Once you’re more refreshed, head back out.  Below, L'il Chica is cooling off in the shade near the river where the temperature is usually more comfortable.

Take it easy! – Find a less strenuous trail to prevent unnecessary exertion.  You might even find that your toddler can walk about with you on a flatter trail.  What fun for them that you chose to slow down and allow them to do some actual hiking :o)  Above, L'il Chica is holdng on to her sippy-cup and chilling in the shade.

How do you stay cool during the warm summer weather?

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After the Rain

Chilling at Duffins Creek south of Whitevale

Last week, we had family engagements and a few days of rain that kept us in and off the trails.  What a treat it was last Friday to get out on the Seaton Trail.  This time we hiked from Green River in the north of Pickering to just south of the hamlet of Whitevale.

With the wet grass grown so tall this summer, it was a good time to wear my zip-off hiking pants.  Lots of mosquitoes too.  I am currently looking for more long-sleeved light-weight tops and pants for L’il Chica. 

After a few days fo rain, the shrubs were wet

Slowing Down with a Toddler – We were happy to chill at our fave spots along Duffins Creek and at the Whitevale playground. L’il Chica likes it there as she can get a break from sitting in the backpack. Now that she’s walking and clippity-clopping everywhere, I sometimes feel that she’s being cooped up for too long in the carrier. It’s important for me that she gets a good break every 60-90 minutes to stretch her legs. Them’s the breaks when you’re hiking with toddler – makes for interesting discoveries, though!

                                                                                                                                                          


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A Friend and a Foe -- Antidote to Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy -- The Foe

Poison ivy in its reddish form

Many of us have seen poison-ivy in the wild, but did you ever see it in its red stage.  This usually happens in the fall, when leaves change.  But, our unpredictable weather has advanced the colour change in many plants.  Here it is with red leaves, and still an irritant to those sensitive to it.  Here is another photo of poison oak with serrated leaf edges.  In all cases, the leaves will irritate your skin if you are one of the 85% who are sensitive to it.

Poison oak is actually a shrub

Many of us think that there is no antidote to poison ivy and that we must suffer until the effects of the irritating poison ivy oils wear off.  But, fear not, forest friend!  The next time you are in the forest and fear that you have touched poison-ivy, look for the antidote nearby; 'Jewel weed', a.k.a. 'Touch-me-not'. 

Touch-me-not -- The Friend

Pale touch-me-not

Flowering  this time of year if the very pretty “Spotted Jewelweed” a.k.a Touch-me-not (it gets its name from the seed pods that appear in late summer which can explode open upon the slightest touch).  Not only should you freely touch ‘Touch-me-not’, you should grab as much of it as possible, crush it in your hands until it is almost to a pulp.  Then, rub it all over the affected area on your skin.  The key to the antidote is to apply the crushed stems directly to your skin soon after being exposed to poison ivy (do not wait until you see the rash the next day).  This should prevent the burning rash from appearing or from becoming too severe to handle. 

Spotted touch-me-not

Crush the leaves of the Touch-me-not into your hands
and rub directly onto the affected area

Touch-me-nots have also been known to be used for other skin irritations like eczema, burns, and cuts.  Take a look if it on your next forest walk.

This information was intended as a tip, and not as medical advice.   See your physician or naturopath for professional advice on poison ivy antidotes.

Trail Snacks for a Toddler -- Ideas Welcome

When it comes to trail snacks for a 13-month-old eight-toothed toddler, it can be tricky to know exactly what to bring on the trail.  I need all the advice I can get to keep things interesting and nutritious.  Many web-sites have tips for kids in general with snacks like trail mix.  I'll have to wait several months for that.  But, I'd love to get your input on snacks for toddlers.  Until then, here are my faves for L'il Chica thus far:

1.  Grain cereals like Cheerio's -- Easy to keep a small container in your pocket and hand back to her as she sits behind in the backpack.  There is little risk of choking and the crunches keep her busy.


2.  Home-made mini cheese strings -- Since we're not into  peelable Cheese Strings yet, I like to slice cheese into bite-sized lengths and pack into a small container. Cheese slices sized for grasping and chomping also work well.


3.  Strips of toasted grain bread -- This is just as good as bread sticks, but I make them by cutting into lengths a slice of lightly-toasted bread.  Kept in a container, it can be fed over the shoulder while hiking.


4.  Watermelon cubes -- This time of year, watermelon goes on sale and is very refreshing during summer hikes.  Kept in a small container, it stays cool if refrigerated in advance.

5.  Apple and other fruit slices -- Prepared in advance and kept in a small container, apple, grapes, pear and other fruit slices are also refreshing midway through a hike.


6.  Orange wedges -- Since I discovered that L'il Chica enjoys sweet oranges, I've cut them into wedges and watched her suck away at the orange juice during many of our rest stops.  There's also the entertainment factor as she loves to see my orange-wedge-smile when I leave the orange peel in my mouth.


7.  Water -- Lots, lots and lots of water in a sippy cup and in my storage (bottles and packs).

I would love to hear your suggestions on more trail-friendly snacks for L'il Chica.  What are your favourite trail snacks?

Ten Things -- Why I Love 'Cap St Jacques', Pierrefonds, Québec

Featured Trail -- Cap St Jacques (Pierrefonds, Québec)

July 6, 2012

The trails of Cap St Jacques Nature Park in Pierrefonds, Québec, just west of Montréal, are easy to hike and are suitable for lower to moderate fitness levels.  Although I enjoy a serious fitness challenge on the trails, I love that this trail system includes several rest spots and picnic areas for families, lots of tree cover, and a farm for children to visit at the half-way point on the trail.  This is the most entertaining of any hike that I have entertained thus far, and L'il Chica is sure to agree.

L'il Chica Heading Away from
the Hens on the Cap St Jacques Farm

 Ten Reasons to Hike the 'Cap St Jacques' Trails in Pierrefonds, Québec


The Cows in the Meadow



1.  The Farm -- About 2km into our hike, I spotted a fenced-off enclosure with cows in the distance.  Really? Cows? Yes!  As well as grazing horses and goats ready to approach the fence to have you feed them strips of sweet grass from the trail.  Neat-oh!





Unable to understand that real ducks also
say "Quack! Quack!", L'il Chica runs away.

2.  The Farm -- Not only are there grazing animals, but around the bend there are rabbits, a chicken coop and a chicken run with tens of hens.  Just across the way there are ducks swimming in a pond!  Bonus!!  L'il Chica has just perfected her version of "Quack!  Quack!"  Then there are even goats, pigs, and emu in the barn.

3.  The Farm -- Around and about the farm area, there are benches and trees that invite both weary adult legs and happy toddler legs.  We also visited a huge greenhouse with tomatoes almost ready to be picked. 

What's up with all the running away
from the farm animals?

4.  The Views -- Because 'Cap St Jacques' is situated on a cape, there are awesome views, not only of the river and the rapids, but also of the Oka region and mountains on the other side of the river -- mainland Québec, with Montréal being an island.

5. Location -- The park is about 40 minutes from downtown Montréal.  A bit far, but well worth it as entry is free.  Parking is $8, but because the park in located near residential streets, hikers like me are happy to park a 5-10-minute walk away and hike to the park entrance and trail head.


6.  Rest Areas -- Along the trail, you can find a few benches, all in strategic spots with views of the water.

One of the many picnic sites along the Rabbit Trail

7.  Farmer's Market -- Although we visited during the week, there is weekend Farmer's Market that sells produce from the on-site farm.

8.  Flat Trails -- There are virtually no hills in this park, making it an easy trail.  We hiked almost 6 km on the dirt paths, but there are also 8 km of paved paths that cyclists use.

Sign along the Rabbit Trail

9. Picnic Sites -- There are at least 5 picnic areas that offer picnic tables, shady trees, water access (not necessarily beaches, but good for rock-skipping), outhouses, and great views. 

10. Access to Beach -- Cap St Jacques is most famous for its beach after hiking and cycling.  It is quite popular and can be a welcome break on a hot day.  Including the beach in your hike will cost you an extra 2 km hike and the entrance fee (free for infants and then up to $4.50 depending on your age).  We did not swim that day, though. 



L'il Chica doing her favourite thing
when she touches ground -- playing with rocks.

 

If you have anything to add to this feature on Cap St Jacques, feel free to comment.  As well, if you have questions that I might be able to answer, leave your questions below.  Happy Hiking!

Ten Things -- Why I Love 'Bois de Liesse', Montréal, Québec

Featured Trail -- Bois de Liesse (Montréal, Québec)

July 6, 2012

The trails in the Bois de Liesse nature park are located in the eastern portion of the city of Montreal. There are about 12.5 km of trails to offer you a full day of hiking with stops at the Rivière des Prairies, lunches at the many shaded picnics, a fun and educational interpretive site, and two welcome centres. The trails themselves not at all challenging and are well marked and lined with logs or rocks.

Resting along a Log-Lined Gravel Trail

I highly recommend the trails in the Bois de Liesse nature park for families with children of all ages. Parents and caregivers of all fitness levels would find this trail to their liking.

Ten Reasons to Hike the Bois de Liesse Trails, Montréal

1. Location! Location! Location!: The nature park is located just a few minutes north of Highway 40, the Transcanda Highway, and not even 25 minutes from downtown Montreal. Once you exit off of the 40 at the exit for Boulevard Henri Bourassa, you have fewer than 2 km to go. More than the proximity to the city, is the proximity to residential areas.

The suburbs of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, St Laurent and Pierrefonds border the park, so driving or even walking there is super bonus. If you have children and are in this region, I highly recommend Les Bois de Liesse. It is a fun and free opportunity for adventure.

2. Public Transit Access: The bus 215O from Metro Cote Vertu and 215E from Centre Fairview in Pointe Claire get you to Rue Douglas-B.Floreani, a short walk from the SW trail head.

The bus 208E from Centre Fairview in Pointe-Claire gets you to the SW trail head on Sunnybrooke Blvd.

The bus 68 from Pierrefonds or from Cartierville stops near the corner of Boulevard Gouin and Highway 13 to give access to the north trail heads.

This park is so centrally located, I wish I lived in Montreal just to take advantage of it all.

Woodpecker Interpretation
on the Sentier des Attraits

3. Access to Trail Heads and Parking: The suburbs of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, St Laurent and Pierrefonds border the park, so parking is a breeze on neighbourhood side streets (you can also park in one of the many Bois de Liesse paid parking lots). I would suggest parking near Sunnybrooke Blvd in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux. Check the map (see below) for more residential side streets and parking access near the trail heads.

4. The Sentier des attraits: One of the neatest things about the park is that it serves to educate younger crowd by providing on-trail interpretations on the 'Sentier (Trail) des attraits'. At the stations on this trail, one gets audio or audio-visual info on forest foxes, trees, woodpeckers, and more. It is a must-see for school-aged children or adults. On this side trail, there is even a gazebo structure with comfy seats for relaxing under the trees. Talk about neat-oh!

Resting Spot and Interpretive Segment on
the Sentier des Attraits

5. Diversity of Flora: I am always interested in the unique plants that grow in any region I visit. One tree that I had never encountered is the Black Maple. This native maple is so plenteous that there is a whole section of the park dedicated to it. You can see them in abundance along the 'Sentier des érables noirs' (Black Maple Trail).

6. Centres d'Acceuil/Welcome Centres: There are 2 welcome centres off the trails with parking access, trail-head access, washrooms, picnic areas, concession bars, and first-aid access. The staff are all bilingual -- French and English. Check the map (see below) to see how well-located they are.

7. Access to the River: If you are hiking in the NE sector of the park, you are never far away from the trails that lead to the Rivière des Prairies. There are clearings and lookout spots where you can see the river, the island of Laval, and the bridge that takes you there. This is a great spot for skipping rocks as long as the boats haven't ruffled the water.

Our Lunch and Rest Stop near the River
just off of Gouin Blvd.

Log Trail

8. Picnic Areas and Resting Spots: Not only are there benches along the trail, especially in the NW sectors, there are several picnic areas to help you with your impromptu picnics. This is great if your children's appetites or energy levels are unpredictable. The tables and grassy spots were in very good condition when I was there in July 2012.

Gravel Trail Lined with Cement

9. Trail Conditions and Terrain: The terrain is primarily flat, making it suitable for all fitness levels. But, with the trail system being more than 12 km, parents with higher fitness levels will enjoy the distance. There are fine gravel trails, dirt trails, boardwalks over a few of the wetlands, and even paved paths that run beneath the highway. Trails are well marked and lined by log stumps or rocks. It is very difficult to find one self lost for having gone off the trail. 

There are many warning signs for poison ivy (l'herbe à la puce) when it appears on the trail.  Watch out for them.

See http://hikingbootsandacarrier.blogspot.ca/2012/05/leaves-of-three-let-it-be.html for more on how to identify poison ivy.

10. Options for Short or Long Treks: Because there are so many access points or trail heads, there are many options for long and short hikes. For example, if one wants a medium distance hike, say, about 5 km, I would recommend hiking only the Érablier noirs, Pic-bois, and Bois Franc sectors.

If you have anything to add to this feature on Bois de Liesse trails, feel free to comment. 

As well, if you have questions that I might be able to answer, leave your questions below. Happy Hiking!

Links for Bois de Liesse:

Info (French): http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=7377,94551572&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&id=72&sc=1

Info (English):

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/page/grands_parcs_en/media/documents/summer_calendar2012.pdf (go to page 17)

Trail Map: http://montreal2.qc.ca/rep_parcs/media/documents/application/pdf_doc_carte_ete_bdl_id5.pdf

Hiker Buddies

One of the best ways to hike is with another friend who likes to hike just as much as you do.  Here I am with my hiker buddy T'ana, who also likes a good challenge when on the trails. 

We were in Durham Forest recently and took a few pics.  See of you can spot the differences between the two following photos. (Check for the answers below)

Spot the difference (answers):  The most obvious difference is that in the top photo, the moms and chicas are looking at the camera while the speeding bicycle approaches; in the bottom photo, the moms are still focussed on the camera like paparazzi suckers, while the chicas have turned to look at the bikes that could have knocked their moms over.  Smart chicas! 

Here are the two chicas in a moment of movement and joy -- finally out of those darned carriers!



At the end of the hike, we stopped for a refresher in a clearing.  Snacks included bread sticks, carrots, cukes, sliced apples, bell peppers, lots of water, leftover eggs from breakfast, and sandwiches. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts, in particular on toddler treats that might keep well on the trail.  We will be on the trails all summer. 

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