On a hot summer’s day, Kim and I set out on hike #7. We started out at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, where we had left off after our family hike on Easter weekend. We were excited for our first summer hike. It had just rained and the air was hot and humid. We didn’t yet know that it would likely be our last summer hike!

The vegetation was lush – we could snack along the way.

But on the other hand, the wet spring and summer had created a jungle. The jagged edge of the Escarpment, which usually guided the starboard side of our path, was just peaking out from the green. Looking down at tree tops was the best clue that we were standing on the edge of a cliff.

We worked to settle into our usual rhythm, walking forward, talking forward. It wasn’t as easy today. I called this the muggy, buggy and rugged hike. The mosquitoes were wild! Thankfully we hadn’t brought dogs due to the heat. Not fit for dogs, it wasn’t really fit for us either!

On today’s hike we basically followed a straight 10km line along the edge of the Escarpment. There were a lot of ups and down – it must depend on which land owners allow access to their properties – top or bottom. You can see this straight section of the Escarpment when you drive along the QEW between Hamilton and Niagara. It made for some breathtaking views and some very beautiful rock formations. We thought it would have been easy to say that we were in a different country. And then we would comment on how incredible this place was that we had discovered. But no, this was in our own backyard and somehow it is easier to walk past with less awe. So we stopped to appreciate the beauty – but not for long as the mosquitoes were relentless!

We talked of Isabel and Brett and if they communicate with us. Certainly Isabel has been communicating with myself and others for a long time now. Kim asked me what she says and how I respond to her. I explained that there are not always words, that I have learned to recognize her presence in moments of my life. It comes mostly when I have a question in my mind, often to do with horses. There is no need for a response – there is simply a knowing. And it never comes when I am looking for her wisdom, she offers it always when I am not expecting it.

Then Kim told me a beautiful story. Brett had always put up the Christmas lights. Since he passed, their neighbour had stepped in and put the lights up for Kim at Christmas. Last year that neighbour had moved so Kim and her youngest daughter Tess, decided to put the lights up themselves. I guess it was no easy task but they got it done. At the end of the day Kim noticed that she had some blood on her hand. She did recall hitting her hand on something. While washing her hands, she realized that the diamond from her engagement ring was lost. Distraught by this loss of Brett’s precious gift – Kim, Tess and eventually her other daughters all looked for the lost stone outside. They did not find it. Kim took this as a sign that she should move on from Brett, perhaps take the rings off completely. Two days later, resigned to the emptiness of her ringless decision, Kim was gathering leaves outside for garbage day. As she picked up the last pile of wet December leaves, she saw a glitter of light on the driveway. Brett’s diamond had found her.

One can look at life as a series of coincidences, that are perhaps skewed by wishful thinking. However, I have learned now that it is not that way. We don’t need to “move on” from those who have passed. That path is blind. Recognize that we must carry them forward with us and if we are open, their little glitters of light will help to guide our way.

Somewhere between Vineland and Beamsville we came across this:

There was no blaze in that spot now, just a T-bar post. The tree must have died or been removed. The closest blaze was ahead about 30 feet.

There are many unnamed paths that join and leave the Bruce Trail, local residents must create them from their backyards. We came across this fire pit and counted no less than 7 paths leading into it like spokes on a wheel. We stopped for a break, for as long as we could stand the bugs! I used my panoramic function to try and capture the spot.

We chatted around other topics that day – how we no longer fear death, how to meet a man at this stage of life and of course always our teenage children. It was a good thing we had interesting things to talk about because the hike was physically unpleasant. 10km passed beneath our feet one step, one word at a time. Muggy, buggy and rugged – it was the most challenging day so far. I suspect we won’t repeat a hike in July, not in the near future anyway!

Still these days together provide us with such joy. 43 years of friendship is a long time – so much shared and we hope for so much more. Here are more pictures of a great day.

So 10 more km along for 65km in total. We only had 829 to go.

It was time to find food. We decided to go to The Good Earth Food and Wine Co where we had been once before. We highly recommend it if you are ever in Niagara Wine Country. After a well earned meal, we were ready to battle the late afternoon QEW. But no, not yet. Paula (yes that’s me) had locked her keys in her car! And so we waited for CAA. More time together. That’s always good.