Day 4 - March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

Day four of what was supposed to be fourteen days straight hiking and there was a group meeting as soon as we all gathered at the car parking morning spot. All Bruce Trail Conservancy organized hikes are cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic until further notice. A difficult call for Ruth (our organizer/leader) to make, this project has been her initiative, and the organization and preparation for an event like this must have been a great deal of work. It was a huge disappointment for all of us, although as each day there were more measures to contain and slow the virus spread so it was not unexpected. So today was our last day of hiking (as an organized group) for now. As we carpooled to the hike's start point I expect we all processed a bit as it seemed like everyone started walking determined to make the most of the day.

Little moss tuffets, magical fairy world
fit for St. Paddy's Day!

It was a colder, overcast start. About an hour in there was a bit of rain, enough to put on rain gear, but it didn't last long. The sun came out until just before lunch when the sky darkened and looked threatening (thought we were going to get some snow) but we were lucky it was just cold and damp lol.

It felt like a bonding day, lots of sharing and laughing. At some point Monty Python got air time, Ron and Trevor recited parts of The Holy Grail and reminisced about silly walks and coconuts and there were some giggles. The cultural bonding power of Monty Python for our generation cannot be understated.

We passed wineries, vineyards and mansions, on main roads, side roads and residential streets. Interspersed with the gorgeous ridge sections where we could see for miles and miles across the lake to the skyline of Toronto and the silhouette of the escarpment.

We crossed the boundary bridge marking the end of the Niagara section and start of the Iroquoia section about 1:15pm!!

Boundary Bridge 

Then we carried on. It seemed like for EVER again! The afternoon slogs are tough. Mud and ups and down, on the side of the slope much of the time and more rugged rocky areas (hell on the ankles). 

The wonderful thing about the group is that no one complains. At least not until we finish.  While we are walking it is joking, sharing, philosophizing, observing and keep going. The first couple days I thought I was the only one who was feeling pain, but I saw Cathy's toe after she took her boot off in the car once we stopped for the day and I can't even imagine the pain she must have been in yet she never said a word, and I talked with a couple others later and my niggling ankle seems more manageable.

Moss rock wall
I'd like this for my garden

It was very sad to say goodbye at the end of today's hike. It felt anti climatic that we all got in our individual cars and drove back into our lives, our new realities that include being a part of the rest of the world immersed in the local and global health crisis, the social and economic fallout and the uncertainties for the future. These last four days spent isolated in our small group in nature facing physical challenges and getting to know each have been a unique experience, one I appreciate and feel blessed to have been part of.

Today's cool Signs: