10th Hike - October is to photographers.....

The saying goes..."October is to photographers what April is to accountants." However, I don't think accountants enjoy themselves this much in April :).  For our latest hike, I am happy to report that I am learning to read topographical maps. When the lines are really close together, there will likely be a steep cliff. Of course, this also means that there will probably be a great view at the top of said cliff, which is exactly what we were looking for on this fine fall afternoon!

We started our journey at Airport Road and 7th line. There was a great little parking lot (something we are learning to appreciate more and more). After hiking through a relatively flat spot around a lovely home, we were indeed treated to a fantastic view. This is is the area of the headwaters of the Humber River.

As we made our way through the forest, we were treated to a woodland leaf carpet. While it made for some excellent decorating on God's part, we found a new difficulty with slippery leaves and covered rocks. My guess is this is just a little taste of what is in store in the winter months.

            

Scruffy found this great deer stand. It even included a barbeque!

A little bit of a different "Don't hike here" sign.

We found Highway #9! From here we turned around and followed the trail back to the car.

After we made it back to the cliff we were stunned to realize that the wind was gusting at around 50-60 kms/hr. It had been so quiet and muffled in the forest. The milkweed seeds looked like snow flying through the air.

9th Hike - Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we decided to head north to the Nottawasaga Bluffs. We had thought about going south towards Hamilton, but Clarence (smart guy!), didn't want to fight all the crowds. What a great decision! We both agreed that this was the best hike so far.

                

Thanksgiving Day was 22°C, sunny and windy. Absolutely gorgeous weather!!!!
There was an amazing side trail called the Keyhole Side Trail. It took us right into the fissures and crevices...a place where Scruffy didn't want to go (he had to be carried).

                

The piece ended by squeezing through this little hole in the rock.

The dogs were happy to find a little stream along the way.

After getting a little lost (it was hard to find the Bruce Trail markings and we kept taking the Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area trails), we came into the open to find a most spectacular autumn view.

Yup, definitely one of those "take your breath away" moments. Who could help but be thankful to a Great Creator for beauty like this!
From here on the hike followed the bluffs for a while and then headed around a farmer's field. We took an "unimproved" road to get back to the parking lot.

Personally I got quite a giggle out of this laying in the forest, very close to someone's deer stand :)

Till next time, blessings!

8th Hike - Airport Road and 5th Sideroad

It's been a while since we've done a hike....in Canada. Here's what we were up to:

These are the Alps in Bavaria, Germany. Absolutely breathtaking, and a bit far from the Bruce Trail.

However, today we were back at it. With the fall colours coming in and the weather a bit fresher than when we left, hiking was truly wonderful. This time around, there were not as many hills as the other hikes we have taken. I guess we are out of the Hockley Valley now. 

                                                                                          

   

On the way, we found this really amazing web of sap lines. It was quite intricate and very modern looking (to us, anyway). Someone is enjoying a lot of maple syrup!
                                                                        
The hike took us from 5th Sideroad (Mono) to Airport Road. I had to cross the road to meet up to where we had left off from the last hike. It's the legalist in me that says I really need to do the whole thing, which means I have to actually touch the spot where I did the last hike in order to say I continued the whole thing. However, the view of the Hockley Valley was worth the extra jog I had to do. :)

We met up with a lovely lady, who turned out to be one of the donators of land to the Bruce Trail Conservancy. She shared with us her love for the trail, and we shared with her what we are trying to do. It was really amazing to meet one of the people who make this trail possible.

A skip and a jog, and we were on our way home!