Day 41 – Hiking Day 34 – Monday October 16 2017

Day 41 – Hiking Day 34 – Monday October 16 2017
Niagara Section K65 Quarry Road to Niagara Section K40.5 Swayze Falls (Roland Road)
Distance –  25.03
Time  - 7:25















Today was cool. More accurately, the wind was cool and the sun warm. About 8C feeling like 5C when we set off and only warmed up to about 10C. For the most part we had a more attractive hike today with only some parts in scrappy forest and not nearly so much slippery rock. I guess it was dry too and the wind had dried up the ground quite a bit. It still surprises us that there is so much “wetland” and we are very often walking on boardwalk over wet, muddy paths. The trail was varied and we walked past vineyards, wineries, and apple orchards as well as at the top of the Escarpment, and again on trails on a slant, rock, roots, and about 8 careful maneuvers down the sides of the Escarpment ravines, often crossing rivers on stepping stones and straight up the perpendicular sides to the top again. All great exercise, but we both admitted that our legs were weary by the end of the day. We are missing our 7th day of rest!

A new introduction to our hiking day was the “bird bangers!” I guess this is a fairly economical way of keeping the birds off the vines and the orchards. At first, we thought it was gun shots, but then Robin, who has heard this before in Ontario wine country, realized what it was. They go off irregularly and were a consistent sound throughout the day. They became really annoying and we thought about all the animals and people they must stress out during a day! We couldn't imagine how someone suffering from PTSD could possibly hike in this area.

Again today we were struck by the ability of The Bruce to avoid the local trail highlights. For example, Ball’s Falls are supposed to be 2/3rds the height of Niagara Falls. We caught glimpses of them through the bushes and were excited to see them; but the trail took us around the top and by the time we went down the side of the ravine, the Falls were behind us! Very disappointing. I guess most of these interesting sights are on side trails, and as we are not including the 400k of side trails in our hike, we miss them!!

Had dinner in MacGregor’s and were back at the B & B in time to make lunches and head to bed.

Sorry for the delay in postings, but once again Internet in Canada is sub par! 

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