Forks of Credit to Cheltenham Hike

With sunny skies, above zero temps, and still no snow, I headed out yesterday for my final hike in the Caledon section of the Bruce Trail. Forks of the Credit is a scenic, little community deep in a steep valley. The idea of climbing up out of the ravine was daunting but do-able. The Caledon Bruce Trail Club does a great job of keeping stairs, supports, and water control structures in good condition on the route.

Highlights in this section include the Ring Kiln, a fascinating piece of our industrial heritage. I love how the moss-covered rock walls rise out of the cedar forest like ancient ruins. Also, the Cheltenham Badlands are in this section but public access is closed at present for an environmental planning process. Driving back along Olde Base Line Rd, I did get a view but you can't stop for pics.

So I am finished hiking the whole Bruce Trail north of Cheltenham Badlands all the way to Tobermory. I have completed my hiking goals for this year and am very pleased with my efforts. In 2016, I have Toronto, Iroquoia and Niagara sections to complete. And a celebration to mark my success!

Looking North across Credit Valley

Crossing Credit Valley Explorer Active Rail Line

Brick and Tile Remnants

Beautiful Old Stonework of Chimney and Kiln

Firebox Access with Brickwork Visible

Brilliant Green of Mosses in Grey Forest Landscape

Site Map

The Story

Scaling the Cliff

A Long Way Down

Bruce Trail Fall Hikes

I love to be out on the trails all year but autumn is especially beautiful. Air is cool and fresh. The exercise feels extra rewarding. And the colours are spectacular! The forests are mainly golden this season. Some falls we get more red or orange or copper. Under a maple forest canopy right now feels like walking in yellow light, whether sun is shining or not. It is truly magical!

I have been systematically following the Bruce Trail south through southern Ontario. Last weekend marked a major milestone: crossing Hwy.9. Yippee!!! This highway passes from Arthur to Orangeville to Newmarket, and for me, sort of divides rural from urban Ontario. Of course, urban continues to sprawl northward. Just north of Hwy.9 on the trail and Niagara Escarpment is an amazing lookout, Humber Heights, which provides a view down the Humber River Valley all the way to the Toronto skyline. Awesome!

Here are some pics along the journey. Enjoy! Hope to see you on the trails!

Perogie Palace in Meaford, Yum!

For Love of Perogies

by Sandra J. Howe, July, 2015

Perogies are a favourite comfort food, and nobody makes them better than the Perogie Palace in Meaford, Ontario. Their slogan, “We make everything RIGHT here!”, speaks to their commitment to fresh, hand-made, delicious food. Becky Weller and Alex Bogacki opened the Perogie Palace 4 years ago, and have worked diligently at perfecting recipes and providing excellent customer service. TripAdvisor ratings show them at #1 of 19 Meaford, ONeateries: quite an accomplishment in a community known for fresh, local food!

Alex is Canadian-born of Polish heritage, and learned to make perogies from his mother. Becky says, “Before I met Alex I had only eaten those doughy, store-bought perogies,”. Together they make scruptious food. Alex prepares the dough, and does deliveries on his motorcycle. Becky fills and pinches the perogies by hand, stuffs the cabbage rolls, tends the borscht, and serves customers. They are both friendly, fun, and clearly love their work. With their unusual collection of memorablia to peruse, a meal at the Perogie Palace is a high-value culinary adventure to enjoy.

Who knew perogies came in so many flavours? You can choose meaty varieties like Polish (cheese/potato/bacon), and Cheeseburger (pork/beef/cheese), or vegetarian options like Spinach/Feta/Potato, Sweet Potato, or Mushroom/Sauerkraut. The salads are fresh and filling. The Polish Hangover Soup is amazing, though I can't say if it cures headaches. And the Warsaw Platter is a meat-lovers dream. Becky and Alex also do special orders, catering, and frozen meals so you can partake of their delicacies at home. Stop by soon for some wonderful, homemade comfort food!

The Perogie Palace,

36 Sykes St. S,

Meaford, ON

519-538-9811

Jolley Riding Toy Museum, Meaford, ON

Carl and Sharon Jolley are justifiably proud of their delightful collection of antique riding toys. They have wonderful stories to share about the toys. Housed in a special garage attached to their home, the collection features over 4oo restored wagons, bicycles, tricycles, pedal cars, scooters, hobby horses, and fun things to ride on. A circuit track allows kids, small and large, to test some of the toys. I enjoyed driving the hand-pump car, and laughed lots while learning to operate the thigh-master scooter.

Carl began his collection in 1987 with a vintage wagon which he carefully refinished. Flea markets and hobby shows have provided many great finds over the years. Original catalogue ads with description and cost provide heritage details. His oldest piece is a wooden 1868 Junior Boneshaker Bicycle. It looks like it would, in fact, rattle your bones. Later models include sophisticated details like spring suspension, brakes, horns, lights, and sirens. There is a toy for every child's fancy: fire engines, airplanes, horses with sulkies, tractors, prams, sleds. So much joy! As Carl says: "It's never too late for a happy childhood!"

To visit Jolley's Riding Toy Museum at Meaford, contact them for an appointment: 519-538-3200, or visit their website: www.jolleyridingtoymuseum.com

It will make you remember and smile.

Carl in a Blur of Speed!

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...

In Every Style and Model

A Dollar Went Further...

Could You Ride This???

For Little Ones

Do You Remember Your Trike? Mine was red and white! 

For added fun, bring a youngster or an oldster along for the ride!

Little Cove, Bruce Peninsula National Park on a Misty Day

Little Cove is a favourite photography, hiking, and swimming destination for my family and I. The crystal, clear turquoise waters never really warm up but are wonderful for a truly refreshing dip. With my wetsuit, I also enjoy snorkelling here. There is an excellent little bakery just at the Highway 6 turnoff to grab picnic goodies. Enjoy!

Return of the Swans Festival

One of my favourite signs of spring is the return of the tundra swans. Each year thousands of tundra swans breed, nest, and raise their families in Canada's High Arctic. They span the far north from the Yukon to the Ungava Peninsula on Hudson Bay's east shore. They travel south in small family groups to winter at Chesapeake Bay on the eastern United States coast. In spring, they mass for the 6500km journey north, passing through Lambton and Huron Counties in southern Ontario. I often saw them in flight when I lived in Huron County but the best place for a good look at these majestic birds is in Lambton. Just south of Grand Bend near The Pinery Provincial Park is the Thedford Bog. Now drained for agriculture, this massive wetland area is a traditional stop for swans, geese, and ducks on the migratory path north. They rest and feed on last year's crops in the wet fields. In a good season, 10,000 swans might be gathered along Greenway Road behind Lambton County Museum. It is an amazing and beautiful sight! Also, the tundra swans have a lovely sound as they rest and chat!

So far this year, the Thedford Bog is mostly dry but we saw around 500 swans resting and feeding in a flooded field along Highway 21 just south of Northfield. The Lambton County Museum has wonderful displays and art on exhibit from March 14 to April 5 highlighting the 31st Return of the Swans Festival. The museum posts daily updates on the tundra swan migration. I hope you get visit them this year, and enjoy it as much as I do. Have fun!

www.returnoftheswans.com

The Pinery Provincial Park has great trails through the pine-oak savannah native to the area.

Tundra swans at rest in flooded farm field.

More swans feeding, resting and chatting. Canada geese join in.

A sure sign of spring!

Durham Conservation Area

Berries Add Colour to Winter Landscape

In December I moved from Owen Sound to Durham. This provides me with wonderful opportunities to explore a new community. Durham is small, friendly and interesting. The Saugeen River is a prominent feature all through the town. I am enjoying walking along the river, and with recent winter storms, I expect to be snowshoeing or skiing the trails. These are easily accessible from my new home.

Cedar Bush Trails

Durham Conservation Area, managed by Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, runs mostly along the north shore of the Saugeen for nearly 3 km. Trails meander through cedar lowlands, river flats and the campground. McGowan Falls, the 2 dams, the railway walking bridge, and the old gunpit are highlights. In summer, the beach area is popular. In winter, the long open slope above the beach is great for tobogganing. Playing in the falls is best enjoyed in summer. Just now, it is a wonder of natural ice sculptures.

Ice Pancakes Swirl below Lower Dam

The historic Durham Road, a main early settlers' route into our area, forms part of the northern boundary of Durham Conservation Area. The Gunpit Trail is named for a musket firing range that was active here until 1913.The Grey Militia practiced rifle drills in this area, firing into targets on the steep hillside. McGowan Falls is named for the grist and flour mill built onsite in 1888. Here the Saugeen River cuts through the limestone bedrock, creating pools, channels and a small cave. Full of history and beauty, there is plenty at Durham Conservation Area toexplore.

McGowan Falls

McGowan Falls and Upper Dam

Welcome to Durham!

Beach Area above Lower Dam

 I hope you will come out and enjoy this fascinating river park and trails for all seasons!