Oh Bruce! Oh Carlita!

This is a bit about my second time hiking on the Bruce Trail.  My hiker buddy this round was my sis, Carlita!  She's a trooper, if ever I met one. 


The 401 bridge at the Toronto and Iroquois
 border of the Bruce Trail

Waking up L'il Chica on Sunday morning at 6:30 was not an easy task.  She had a tough night (waking up for a good hour at 3 o'clock in the a.m. ever since we started with day-care).  She slept through the wake-up and car drive to pick up my sister about 30 minutes away.  All well so far.  Once we were on our way to our hiking spot, we were in high spirits.  L'il Chica was happily having her breakfast bottle and the 401 was traffic-free (even on a Sunday a.m., one never knows).  The drive toward the Niagara Escarpment was a treat -- the fall colours were brilliant and we could see the hills upon which we would soon hike.

Hopping the fence!  Oh, what fun!

We parked at the Kelso Conservation Area and set out on our planned 15-km hike.  With blood pumping through our veins and with a good 40 lbs on my back, we reached our first hurdle -- a ladder!  In fact, it would be one of four ladders.  How in tarnation was I supposed to balance my way over a ladder with a stacked carrier?  And, why was there a ladder there in the first place?  The answer is that the Bruce Trail crosses into fenced private property from time to time -- chicken and barbed wire fence at that.  Unless one breaks down the fence, the only option is to climb over it.  Thank goodness for that ladder -- I guess I wouldn't want to fall on a barbed wire fence.  Ouch!

Onward to Hilton Falls!

Chatting with my sis in the fresh fall morning air was good fun -- she's in good shape.  A gym junkie who also jogs, she likes a physical challenge.  The whole 'footing' thing was the only real adjustment -- she now has a new respect for hiker and trail runners. 

Our hike crossed from the Toronto section and into the Iroquois section of the Bruce Trail.  The first 6 km northbound went up to and along the escarpment -- lots of slippery limestone covered in moss and leaves.  Footing alert!  No slips yet, though.  Once we got to the Dufferein Quarry Bridge (what a view!), we turned back as we still had a good 9 km to go.  Heading south now, L'il Chica was still doing well -- she was having fun stretching her arms trying to touch the nearby trees.  Soon enough, she'll get sleepy -- as is usually the case with infants, movement, and fresh air.  My plan was to get us to Hilton Falls and give L'il Chica a walking break -- a bit of a stretch for her in the carrier, but all was going well so far.  We were looking forward to one of the many waterfalls we had heard of on the Bruce Trail.  Forward march!


The hike plan, highlighted in yellow.  Please ignore any green smudges -- L'il Chica's artwork.

By the time we were at 9 km, we were feeling the aches.  My hamstring was tightening up, and Carlita was starting to doubt 'this whole hiking thing'.  Yah, it's pretty and all, but why does it have to take forever to get to anywhere?!  A passerby wearing Bruce Trail gear told us we were not far off from Hilton Falls.  So the map said, too.  Why was it taking forever, then?  By the time another walker said to us, "It's just up there.  You're not far at all."  we were reenergized!  Picking up the pace, we listened for the sound of rushing water.  But, where was it?  We kept going, listening for water ... 'not far at all' echoing in my head.  When we got there ... finally... we saw the most... how to put it?  The most ... hmm... the most disappointing sight ever.  A waterfall?  A fall?  Where was it?  There was no water, far less falling water.  There was, though, a hole in the ground -- a big 'maco' hole in the ground... but THAT was all!  It turns out that Hilton Falls USED to be a cascade of sorts thousands of years ago.  What is left behind is a very interesting natural formation in the limestone shield.  A perfectly cylindrical hole in the terra firma... But, no water.  Oh dear!  Oh Carlita!  Sorry about the anti-climactic hike to Hilton FALLS... smh. (All caps are intended -- we were pooped and near exasperation by this point.)

The hole in the wall of limestone... aka Hilton Falls.

The last 5 km were tough.  We fought to keep spirits high, despite the lovely weather and awesome temperature -- 17 degrees C.  At one point, head low, almost unable to look up at the trail ahead, I commented to myself, 'Hey!  At least my pants look clean.  Not even on smudge of dirt.  Good on ya, Marie!'  There was at least one happy note in my exhaustion.  But wait!  Too soon!  I slipped on a small but slippery slope, startling L'il Chica to an outburst.  No worries, though, up again and with no bruises, we trudged along to the parking lot at Kelso.



You call THAT a waterfall!? LOL!

Legs aching, back at the car, and the skies still blue, how should I look upon this 4.5-hr-long Bruce hike?  As a disappointment? Naaah!  I got to hike with my sister -- yay!  I accomplished a good 15-km-plus hike in really good time -- BONUS!  L'il Chica was a trooper as usual -- can't beat that at all.  Amazing weather, fall colours in all their glory, great chatting with my sis, L'il Chica learning the word for 'tree' in French, and, of course, take two for Bruce.  Nothing to complain about, and more Bruce to come.

Oh! And, a bonus today (the morning after) was my sister's text: "... this morning went to the gym now walking like an orangutan lol i would love to do another hike hook me up". Oh Carlita!

Après School Saunter

Altona Trails in the Autumn

 

L'il Chica and her Hiker Momma

Back to work and the days are getting shorter.  Tired once I get home and I have to cook.  It sure is tough to get out... unless I find some way to commit myself to it.  I've decided to get out by committing to a few after-work meetups; that way, I am less likely to stay at home. 


Rochelle and her L'il Hiker

Today, I met up with a meetup buddy and friend who lives in the neighbourhood.  We had a refreshing walk through Altona Forest -- about an hour long.  All of the sugar maples are in their yellow-to-red bloom.  What a treat it is to be so close to a mature forest and only 25 minutes from the city. 

Autumn on the Altona Trails

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving Hike

Sunny Skies were on the bill that morning.

This was the hike I was waiting for since last month.  A good 4-hr hike on the Seaton Trail was just what I needed to brush away the blues.   A recent stint of ‘mid-section expansion’ ... why don’t we call it ‘bloating’ ... had added to my back-to-work blues, and I was just dying to head out on a long trek.

L’il Chica and I set off with high spirits from Clarke’s Hollow just after nine in the morning. We had some snacks, some water, and lots of energy. The skies were blue, and the air was cool and fresh. What could go wrong?

After about an hour – passing by a few happy dog walkers, some with off-leash dogs (grr) – we arrived at the playground in Whitevale.That went well –for about 20 minutes L’il Chica enjoyed the swing, slides and some snacks.

 



Backwards down the slide.  Wheee!



Note the face: the remants of
a near-meltdown before leaving the playground

Getting her back into the carrier was not as much fun.There was an almost-meltdown, but we set out north to Green River anyway. Evidence is in the photo to on the right.  

 

As we walked, her mood turned for the better and we chatted away ... she mimicking what I said as we identified trees, birds, leaves, squirrels and the blue, blue sky.  She’s lots of fun now that she’s so vocal.  One of her favourite words to say is “bow-wow” whenever she sees a dog.  It actually sounds more like “rawr-rawr”.  But, then again, dogs do not actually say the sound of the letter “B” in ‘bow-wow’, do they?

The turn-around at Green River

Within 10 minutes, she was asleep in the carrier.  So, once we made it to Green River, I did not bother to take a lunch break.  That would have just awoken her, and who needs that when you’ve already got well-enough going for you.  At the half-way point at about 11:30, 7.5 km from the start point and with a good 30 lbs on my back, I turned around to enjoy a quiet walk back. 



Outdoor café in Whitevale

She was up again by the time we got back to Whitevale, so we stopped there for her leg-stretch.  This time, we skipped the park and chose to rest at a little outdoor café where a local woman sells coffee, soup and fries to passers-by.  It’s a cute little spot in the pretty little hamlet.  I really like these neat things about Whitevale.

By the time we made it back to Clarke’s Hollow, I was bushed and my right foot was a little achy.  L’il Chica was happy to be out of the carrier (only to be put into the car within 10 minutes).   As I write now, my foot is still a bit sore, but I’ll take that anytime if I get it from a hike like today’s hike. 

So, what could go wrong on my hike today?  Not much at all.  There’s way too much to be thankful for, and a little sore foot is likely a blessing in disguise.  What an awesome start to the weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 



Smells like Autumn Spirit!

One of the best things about autumn is the explosion of colour that fills the trees and covers the ground.  The leaves changing this time of year are a breathtaking melange of reds, oranges, yellows, rusty-browns and gold.  As I walked through the Seaton forest today, the smells of fall took me to ... well... ‘my happy place’.  The sweet smell of fallen leaves is like nothing else.  It's invigorating.  When the cool autumn breeze blows, I take a special breath just to take it all in. 

Yellow, Rust and Golden leaves of the walnut trees

Red Maple leaves are especially lovely on the nose :-)

 

Red, Orange and Yellow Maples



White Pine needles also fall during autumn... as do all evergreens.

 

Of course the smell of decay is not left to the leaves alone.  The salmon along Duffin’s Creek have already spawned and, as is the way for salmon, they have given up the ghost.  They too have left not only their bodies, but also their ... ahem... spirits.  It wafted up from the creek every now and then.  But, once the trail moved away from the water, the more pleasant smells of fall took over again.

You'll have to look carefully for the evidence of decaying salmon. 
That too left an extra-special smell on the trail.  Enjoy :-)

I love autumn walks.

One Hour? I'll take that!

One hour after work -- that’s just about all the time I get to hike during the week these days—a far cry from the long hikes we took while on mat leave.  Even with the short time, though, it’s just about the best time of my day.  L’il Chica and I get to spend time together, just like the good old days. 

Climbing Time!

Here’s what we get out of our hour-long Altona hikes:--

1. Brilliant orange, yellow and red fall colours still on the trees

2.  Climbing time on the logs and benches

3.  Playing with cattails near Lacey's Pond... I'll take that!


4.  24 lbs (plus carrier weight) on my back ... that was what the doc said at our last check-up


 5.  Break time for toddler leg stretching
 

        6.  A good get-away after a day with tweens and teens... I’ll take that!


        7.  An afternoon snooze that means a tougher bedtime...  uh... I guess I'd have no choice but to take that.

Out of the Carrier means
boogie time!

        
 8.  A walk that is practically in our backyard – the trail-head is not even a 3-minute walk away.

 9.   Yet another lost hat on the way home.  You know, I COULD use a hat with strings. SMH...
 

     10. Good times all over! You bet, I’ll take that!



Sticks are her weakness.  That and rocks :-)

Cattails for your hair.

Oh no!  She fell asleep.  And, it's almost five in the afternoon!!  And, her hat is gone. Trouble tonight!
 

As happy as I am that we can get out easily and at the spur of the moment for these quickie hike-capades, I am happy that Thanksgiving is coming up.  With an extra day to play with on the long weekend, we’re going on a long hike tomorrow, ... hopefully with some friends. Woo hoo!!! Can’t wait!