Our second official hike happened during a heat wave in June. We left at 6:30am. Well almost. I am a morning person and Kim, she is not. But that day we both had afternoon commitments and an early start seemed to be the right thing to do. But then there are always some last minute items to check on – back pack, phone, special tooth thing, a last moment text, the empty tank of gas to be filled – and then Kim is ready. So not quite 6:30… Driving two vehicles, we dropped mine off at our planned hike end -after taking some time to find it- and then we started where we had left off at the Fireman’s Park in Niagara-On-The- Lake. And off we went, Jack and Stella in tow – well almost – Kim had to go back to her van for one more check of one more thing…. so 8:30 really!

Just one more thing….

It was definitely a hot day. The first part of the hike followed an old railway bed. The dogs found water wherever they could.

I love this picture below. It seemed like a busy area – a major intersection. The Trans Canada trail, the Laura Secord Heritage Trail and the white hash marks of the Bruce Trail – all three crossed this point. Yet there were no other pedestrians so not “busy”. I like to believe this spot is representative of a country proud of its land and its heritage – “busy” at preservation.

Most of my travel in the Niagara region has been through it on the QEW as I travelled back and forth from New York State. The QEW is a major expressway, one of the many that cut across southern Ontario. It had never occurred to me that we would have to cross it, or that I had previously travelled underneath the Bruce Trail dozens of times.

Crossing the QEW. The Bruce Trail pedestrian bridge.

After crossing over the highway, the trail turned right underneath the railway tracks into “The Screaming Tunnel”. We encountered a couple of senior gentlemen on a stroll (not a hike!) who proceeded to tell us all about it. As they passed through Kim tested it out – I have always admired her lack of inhibition!

Walking through the Woodend Conservation Area, we came across a little shelter that had been constructed just off of the trail. Approaching it, we were reminded of the adventures of our youth when imaginations were large and dead bodies and bears lurked around every corner. Cautiously, we were disappointed to discover it was empty – no gnome-like inhabitant or skeletal remains.

A little further along was Brad’s Bench. Not something we could simply walk by. Kim told me she had recently had a bench installed in the Dundas Valley Conservation in Brett’s memory. I had started a charity and rescued ponies in Isabel’s memory. I think about why we create these memorials. Although we label them for the lost ones we grieve, I believe their real purpose lies in providing comfort for those of us who remain.

More scenery from Woodend..

Next we continued across a golf course and began travelling along the edge of the Third Welland Canal. For friends away, the Welland Canal runs 26.8 miles from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario bypassing Niagara Falls. It is the Fourth Canal that is used today. Walking along this bit of engineering history, Kim thought she recalled that her ancestor had designed the locks of the Welland Canal. With a little digging, I learned that her great grandfather, Thomas Brooke Townsend, was a civil engineer who worked for the Dominion Government in the Department of Railways and Canals. Over a period of nine years, he designed the locks, gates and bridges of this, the Third Welland Canal. He then left government employment and successfully tendered the contract to build the stepping lock gates which were completed in 1882. We were walking along her great grandfather’s legacy!

Love this old bollard with the Bruce Trail mark!

Our hike, 11km long, ended on Glendale Ave just before it crosses a lift bridge over today’s Welland Canal. 18km down, 876 to go….

Until the next time!