Bruce Trail - Day 1, Wiarton to Cape Croker

We started our hike from Wiarton at KM 0.0 after being driven there from Tobermory by a co-owner of the hotel we stayed at. It was a chilly morning, but that was expected as it was early October. As it was the first day of our epic trek we took a few photos to mark the occasion as we had a good viewpoint over the lake and the Niagara Escarpment in the background, and knowing at some point early on in the hike we would be at the top of it.


There was a lot of preparation for this hike, both from Matt and myself. He did the actual day to day planning and I worked on the gear and food items we would need. Each of us had to limit what we brought as you don't want to carry too much weight when hiking 25km plus each day. In my pack I had the tent, my winter sleeping bag(because it was October, the weather could change at any moment), long sleeve shirts, dehydrated food, sleeping clothes and rope in order to hang our packs at night. It took me about two weeks to figure out what was necessary and what wasn't, and constantly repacking my rucksack to lower the weight. Eventually I got it down to about 26-28lbs, which I found to be comfortable and knowing that weight would be less each day after we had our meals. The last decision was choosing footwear, do I go with the sturdy, but heavy hiking boot, or lightweight, but possibly injuring my ankle hiking shoe. I decided on the hiking boot, and am glad I did as each day that passed the terrain became more difficult.

Wiarton km 0.0

Spirit Rock

Abandoned barn

The Bruce Trail Peninsula Section starts in Wiarton at a public park with a view of the Niagara Escarpment, and as it was nearing autumn we were hoping for brightly coloured trees, but as you can see they were only starting to turn. For this photo I wanted to see myself the way others would see me, which is why I am wearing my rucksack. The first 3km started easily enough with a crushed gravel path and roadway, but the temperature started rising and I needed to remove a layer of clothing, which then increased the weight in my pack(it's not as noticeable when you're wearing it, but you can tell once the extra weight is on your shoulders). Our first historical stop was Spirit Rock, it is derived from a legend of an Indian Maiden who jumped from the cliff face due to the guilt of falling in love with an Indian warrior from an enemy tribe. As the weather was warming and we are starting to get in the rhythm we were not expecting our first challenge. A nearly vertical climb up the escarpment face with giant flat rocks as steps, and a final push up a dodgy spiral staircase, but once we reached the top it felt good to be rewarded with shade, views and finally able to breathe properly again. After checking the map we realized the next few kilometers would be easy again because it contained a section with roads, but not after stopping to snap a few photo's of an abandoned barn(I have a fascination with abandoned buildings). After hiking the road section and getting back into the forest for a few kilometers we decided on stopping at Mallory Beach for a few minutes to give our feet a rest and to enjoy a beer and a snack.



After the half hour rest we gave ourselves and some fruit and nuts(plus the beer) we headed on our way back to the main trail. The next five kilometers were at the top of the escarpment with several lookouts over Colpoy's Bay, and with the clear skies we had we were able to see to the other side. At the 17.1km mark we ran into our first problem, heat stroke. My hiking partner, Matt, started feeling dizzy and lagging behind about 1-2km before this point, but carried on. We decided to stop and sit in the shade, drink some water and eat a bit of food, but it didn't help. As we were resting there a mother and daughter had hiked in from a side trail parking spot, and did a quick walk down the main trail. As they went on their way we discussed our options amongst ourselves, and decided it was best if we asked them to give Matt a lift to the campsite as he would not be able to make it on foot, this was the half way point of our first day. Once the mother and daughter returned we spoke with them of our plans, and asked the favour to drive Matt to the campground, and they happily obliged. As it was only going to be myself I was able to lighten my pack by giving the tent and sleeping bag to Matt so he would be able to set up before I arrive, and have a nap to refresh himself. We departed ways for the next 17km.


Once I was on my own I made it a mission to move faster as I didn't want to leave him on his own for too long a time. It was not long after this that the trail turned inland and the viewpoints would be gone for a few kilometers.  I stopped at the Knapp Lookout for a quick rest, and shortly after his I met with the mother again, and she guided me to their cabin, only a half kilometer from the trail. Once there I spoke with her, and her husband, and found out that the Knapp Lookout is named after them as they have donated to the Bruce Trail Conservancy. I also discussed the next 10km as that was the distance from their cabin to the campsite, and what the terrain would be like, and how long it would take me. This is the point that I had my first real experience of actual hiking. He told me that I should be taking my time while hiking the trail, and not trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, as it is in place for people to enjoy the sights and sounds. After chatting with them for a while, they offered to take my pack and drop it off at the campground, and as it would give my shoulders and legs a rest while I hiked, I took the offer. After departing their cabin site, I pondered about what they told me, and try to live by their motto each day, and realize that there are still some good, decent humans on this planet.

From this point I had a decision, do I hike the main trail and get the view points from Jones Bluff, or do I shorten my total distance and time by hiking the side trail? I opted to stick to the main trail as I wanted to know if I could hike to originally intended kilometers for the day. I am glad I made this decision as I discovered an interesting feature while at the top of this bluff. I was hiking over these rather large cracks or crevices that ran perpendicular to each other, laid out almost in a checkerboard pattern, and was thinking that hundreds of years ago, there would have been more like it beyond the bluff, but have fallen, and in hundreds of years some of them will have fallen from the edge. It gave me perspective of age and time. The last opportunity I had of a scenic lookout I took it. I sat there with my camera and my water and just looked and marveled at what history has done.


The final descent to the campground was a leisurely stroll down a road to which I met Matt and we discussed our experience after we departed at 17km. Each of us learned something new that day. I learned that you can take your time in life, you don't need to accomplish everything you set out to do, just so long as you enjoy what you are doing, and he learned that it's important to keep hydrated and stop when you know you can bring harm to yourself or others, for if you don't stop to look after yourself, how could you carry on enjoying life.

 

Stay tuned for Bruce Trail - Day 2, Cape Croker to Jackson's Cove

Bruce Trail - Wiarton to Tobermory, October 2011

In October 2011 I had a plan to hike 170km from Wiarton to Tobermory over five nights and six days with a co-worker(Matt). This plan looked great on paper and we worked it out to having to hike an average of 30-35kms per day. However as we were going to be stopping at campgrounds for the night, each day was a different distance and would challenge us physically and mentally.

This is my story of our adventure on The Bruce Trail - Peninsula Section, 9 October 2011 - 15 October 2011

Vegetable Garden 2012

Seeds purchased for the 2012 Vegetable Garden:

Basil
Beetroot
Broccoli
Carrot
Courgette(Zucchini)
Cucumber
Dwarf French Bean
Parsnip
Pea
Pepper(Sweet Mixed)
Red Onion
Rocket
Spinach
Squash(Butternut)
Tomato(Roma)
Thyme

So far I have planted the tomato, basil, spinach, pepper, carrot, parsnip, broccoli, pea, thyme and red onion.

First tomato seedling

Tomatoes in January when first planted

Tomatoes in March

Basil in March

Thyme planted only one week ago

Peas planted one week ago

I was a little ambitious and excited to start my planting, as I am each year, and because of this I am unable to keep my plants outside because of frost. I will be sure to plant later in the season next year so the house isn't overtaken with plants.

Vegetable Garden Update #6

One Weeks Harvest

All you see in the photo has been harvested over the last week. Too much zucchini and spaghetti squash has grown and I do not know what to do with it, so I have been donating it to people. The cherry tomatoes have a great taste, and I used a variety of tomatoes in a pasta sauce last week.

The garden is starting to wind down now, and the only things left to pick will be the swiss chard which will survive through frost and snow.

Craig

Vegetable Garden Update #5

Harvest of the Day

Spaghetti Squash, that I did not plant but sprouted from seeds leftover from a purchased one, Zucchini, Green and Yellow Beans, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes and Peas. I am hoping now that a few Tomatoes have ripened the rest start this coming week as I do not want them to rot.

Craig

Vegetable Garden Update #4

Harvest of the day

Yellow/green beans, hot peppers, peas and spaghetti squash

The mystery plants that started growing early on in the year have finally produced fruit and/or vegetables. What I thought was a melon from the previous post, is now believed to be Spaghetti Squash. Looking forward to trying these as they have sprouted from seeds from a plant bought from another vendor, and they look hearty. When Emma is here I will make a Spaghetti Squash Shepherds Pie from Chef Chuck Hughes, as I remember this episode from the winter months and it looked delicious. The zucchini's that have been picked have been donated to other people as I do not know what to do with that much, and my mom has made a wonderful Italian casserole style side-dish with tomato sauce, basil, onion and a topping of bread and cheese. The Italian casserole gave you a feeling of summer and a desire to travel to Italy.

More to come next week,
Craig

Vegetable Garden Update #3

Today's harvest: zucchini, yellow & green beans, peas

Garden looking to the East

Garden looking to the West

Mystery plant, could be a melon

Zucchini plant, notice all the flowers, and there are a lot more that have that many on them as well

Tomatoes

The garden has grown incredibly well since we have been receiving rain over the past week and a half. The tomatoes should start ripening in the next week and be picked in another two. There are now peppers on most of the plants and they will be able to be harvested in the coming weeks. More updates to come.

Craig

Vegetable Garden Update #2

First harvest of the year, and many more to come. I have been picking lettuce for a few weeks now, but today I picked some beetroot and the zucchini that I posted last week, so decided to take a photo of what the lettuce looks like.

Lettuce varieties, beetroot, and zucchini

More to come over the remainder of the summer, and into autumn.

Craig

Vegetable Garden Update #1

First Zucchini of the season

The rest of the plants are doing very well, the carrots have finally started to grow strongly, but not as many as I was hoping for considering last year they grew so well. Will take photos and keep the updates coming as the other plants start to produce vegetables.

Craig

Vegetable Garden

In 2010 I planted my first vegetable garden that I tended to mostly on my own. For most of my life our family has grown vegetables, but there were quite a few years that nothing was planted, and last year I decided it was time for me to learn how it is done. Well it is now 2011 and a new growing season is upon us. Unfortunately the month of April was really wet that I was not able to work the soil, and plant the few things that like the cooler temperatures at night. Along comes May and it is still not cooperating with me, but I at least start to work the soil by hand, as the rototiller is in the shop. Finally in June I have planted half of the seeds, and once things were a few weeks into the growing season I planted the other half of the seeds.

Garden viewed from the West

Tomato plants in the foreground, pepper plants to the right, beans and peas in the background, zucchini and mystery plants on the left.

Garden viewed from the East

Beets with mystery plant in the foreground, radish in same row as beets, varieties of lettuce on left, dill, beans and peas in row on right.

Radish

Beans(yellow or green)

Dill

Tomato

Thyme

Basil

Flat leaf Parsley

Rosemary

Zucchini

I wanted to make this a progress blog of the vegetable garden, but as I am a procrastinator it has been nearly a month since the garden has been planted, and you have not been able to see it progress from seedlings to maturity, but I will continue to post photos every other week, especially once the plants start getting larger and vegetables on them.

List of vegetables:

Basil
Thyme
Rosemary
Flat Leaf Parsley
Variety of Tomatoes
Variety of Peppers
Variety of Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Dill
Carrots
Zucchini
Beets
Radish
Red Onion

Craig

Walking in Waterloo

While Emma was visiting I planned on walking at the Waterloo Cycling Club trails, but as the bus systems is appalling in the region it would have taken nearly an hour to reach the trailhead, as the route takes us into the city and back out again. In that time I could have walked there, but then we would have been walking for more time than we wanted, and would have had to walk back. Instead of the WCC trails, I remembered that there are trails not far from where we were staying, although I have never been walking in that area. We decided it was best to give it a try, and we are glad we did. The trails, I will call them the Wilmot-Wideman Forest Trails(not sure on the proper name) are located at Wilmot Line and Wideman Rd, with parking on Wideman Rd, are walking only in the spring/summer months and cross country skiing in the winter. 

The trails are really well maintained and offer some challenges, but nothing to challenging that small children can't handle with a bit of help from adults. There are plenty of forks that allow you to travel as long, or as short as you want, and ample opportunities to see wildlife. When Emma and I were there we found a pond with about 20 turtles, and after a few minutes of watching them we started on our way again and I noticed movement in my peripheral vision, the movement was a wild female turkey. About halfway through the journey we climbed to the top of a large hill and found a bench that gives you a spectacular view towards Baden. If you were to go in the autumn with your camera you would get some amazing shots of what that season is known for.

If anyone is interested in going for a leisurely walk in the area and wants to avoid the well known places, I highly recommend the Wilmot-Wideman Forest Trails as they offer a variety of hiking through forest and open fields in solitude and ample opportunities to spot wildlife and excellent views with the possibility of amazing photographs.

Craig