Beautiful Beaver Valley

Flowerpot Perching along Bruce Trail

We enjoyed another beautiful day of hiking in Beaver Valley.  Weather was warm and overcast.  I am nearing the completion of the Beaver Valley section which was one of my goals for this season.  Many of the leaves have fallen with the rains and winds we have had, but the little sumac in foreground is hanging on.  Following are some lovely little beech trees which will hold colour in the forest through winter.  It is such a joy to be out in the wilds, walking and breathing.  I hope you are partaking of these pleasures, too!

Dorset Lookout Tower Colours

Dorset, Ontario is a small community on Lake of Bays near Algonquin Park.  This tower was originally built to monitor for forest fires.  Now it is primarily a tourist lookout tower.  The autumn colours were especially beautiful this fall.  I hadn't visited this area since childhood so it was a real treat to climb, and enjoy spectacular views.  The forests stretch for miles in all directions.  Small lakes nestle among the rolling hills.  This is Canadian Shield country-old worn pink and grey granite that forms the bedrock of North America.  I appreciate the First Nations name: Turtle Island, she carries us all on her broad back.  The trees are mostly hardwoods, especially sugar maples, and oaks.  They make wonderful oxygen.  Many thanks!!!

If you are breathing today, thank the green beings of our little planet.  They do their part.

Sydenham End-to-End Hike

Hooray!!!  This weekend I completed my first Bruce Trail section hike.  The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest, and longest footpath, running from Niagara to Tobermory, Ontario.  The Sydenham section is 170 km from the edge of Beaver Valley to Wiarton.  The trail follows the Niagara Escarpment along limestone cliffs overlooking beautiful Georgian Bay and surrounding forests, fields, and wetlands.  It is magnificent landscape!  This is my first major hiking ever, covering around 20 km daily over the course of two spring, and two autumn weekends.  I loved the scenery, the company, and my hot bath at the end of a long trail day.  I am very pleased with myself.  My goal is to hike the full 885km over the next two years.  The Bruce Trail and I are turning 50 years together.  What a great adventure!

Fall Colours

Sunny autumn day and colours are spectacular! I love to walk our forests this time of year when there is so much beauty.  We are blessed to live amidst such glory.  Nature takes me into myself, to a place where I breathe and smile more easily.  It is a joy to watch the seasons change.  Each has its own unique gifts for all to appreciate.  I hope you are loving it as I am.  Best wishes,  Sandra