ON THE BRUCE TRAIL THIS MORNING AT METCALF ROCK

 HIKING ALONG THE BRUCE TRAIL THIS MORNING AND KELLY SURE DOES KNOW HOW TO ADD A LITTLE COLOR TO THE FOREST

I had been a bit worried about not getting a good night's sleep because I wasn't in a recliner.  With the help of a couple pillows, I managed a kind of recliner effect on a short couch and managed to fall asleep.  In the morning my neck felt like it had been hit with a hammer or something and my right leg seemed to be trying to detach itself from me.  Luckily both those little problems cleared up and I was ready to go.  We were on the road by 9:05 a.m. heading for a place called Metcalf Rock.

 ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL EARLY OCTOBER MORN TO BE OUT AND ABOUT

After checking with Google maps prior to leaving I had written down a few simple directions on how to get to Metcalf Rock.  Twenty minutes later we were lost and didn't know where we were.  We have a Garmin GPS aboard so Kelly typed in Ravenna Metcalf Rock.  Garmin Gerty led us up this road and down that road finally landing us in a little place called Ravenna.  But no Metcalf Rock here.  We asked some folks standing outside a market if they knew where Metcalf Rock was.  They sorta did but said it was hard to find.  They were Seniors like ourselves so we understood and let them go.  Then, Kelly fired up her Blackberry Smartphone with an App she had on there and programmed in Metcalf Rock.  A voice immediately issued forth from her phone telling us which way to go, so off we went.  It still seemed confusing and it wasn't long before we had one great big huge argument going on right in our front seat.  No, it wasn't Kelly and I....it was Garmin Gerty and the Blackberry arguing back and forth each with a different set of directions.  We decided to go with the Blackberry directions and minutes later we pulled into the Metcalf Rock parking lot.  We finally figured out that our Garmin was correctly trying to route us back to Ravanna which was the destination we had punched in.  Well anyway, the air finally cooled and Garmin Gerty and the Blackberry are once again best of friends.

LOOKING FOR METCALF ROCK 

 WE LIKED THIS OLD LOG HOUSE

As soon as we pulled into the Metcalf Rock parking lot we knew it was the right place for us.  No parking lot fees, no entry fees, and pets were allowed.  What a beautiful trail this is.  It starts out flat enough until it soon reaches a mountain-fed freshwater creek.  Once across a small wooden bridge, the trail begins its rock scrambling climb whereupon it joins the well-known 550-mile long Bruce Trail which runs between the Niagara River at Queenston Heights to Tobermory Ontario.

THE TRAIL BEGINS THERE TO THE RIGHT OF THE SUBE

 AND IT'S OFF WE GO

 FROM A DISTANCE I THOUGHT THIS WAS A MONARCH BUTTERFLY

LOOKS LIKE THERE HAS BEEN MANY A CAMPFIRE HERE ALONG THE TRAIL

 CROSSED THIS LITTLE WOODEN BRIDGE INTO THE FOREST

 AND THE ROCKY CLIMBING BEGINS

 MAYBE THAT'S METCALF ROCK EH

HIKER'S MISPLACED GLOVES ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL

My photos do not do justice to what we saw and experienced on this moderately difficult trail today.  One had to be very careful and aware of the rocks and tree roots waiting to trip up the unwary hiker.  There were dangerously huge crevices in the rocks with many of them being so dark and shadowed I could barely see to the bottom of them.  Some were large enough to swallow a car while others were small enough to twist an ankle.  Kelly had difficulty with the rough terrain but didn't want to turn around and go back.  I found her an old fallen branch and was able to break it into a walking stick for her.  From our rock scrambles in New Mexico, Arizona, and California over the years I wasn't too worried about Pheebs because she is for sure an experienced rock scrambler in her own right.

 NO IT'S NOT THE FURRY GNOME IT'S THE WOODY GNOME

THERE ARE MANY DEEP CREVICES ALONG THE WAY

 KELLY IS A DETERMINED PERSON

 CAVES, CREVICES, AND CAVERNS

We never did see any kind of flashing neon sign with a big arrow and words pointing to say this is 'Metcalf Rock' but we thought later that we must have been continuously climbing over it as we made our way up and up and along the escarpment following the Bruce Trail.  One thing I did notice not long after beginning our hike was the absolute silence in the forest.  There was not a single bird chirping, frog croaking, bee buzzing, cricket squeaking, twig snapping, or fly flying.  Nothing, just a heavy ear-shattering silence.  

 IT WAS AT THIS SCENIC OVERLOOK WE DECIDED TO TURN AROUND

 KELLY WITH HER BROKEN BRANCH WALKING STICK

TREE ROOTS WAITING TO STUMBLE AN UNWARY HIKER OVER THE EDGE AND DOWN INTO A CREVICE

 NO NOT A BRUCE TRAIL PYTHON, JUST A BIG OLD TREE ROOT

 WE ARE JUST ABOUT DOWN ONTO FLAT GROUND AGAIN

With Kelly's right knee beginning to give her some grief we figured it might be a good idea to turn around and head back, and we did just that.  Going downhill is definitely more treacherous than going uphill.  Slips and falls going down rugged rock and tree root-infested terrain is common and has to be done very carefully.  We have learned that one from experience so we took our time.  With the exception of passing one person coming back, we had the trail all to ourselves.  Nice:))

A SMALL MAPLE LEAF ON THE BED OF A MOUNTAIN STREAM

 RECROSSING THE WOODEN BRIDGE TO FLAT GROUND:))

A SHORT REST BEFORE THE FINAL STRETCH TO THE CAR

KELLY STOPS TO CHECK HER RINGING CELL PHONE

 AND YES I WAS EVEN ON THIS VERY HIKE AS WELL

THE FINAL FEW STEPS TO TRAIL'S END

I don't know how long we were on the trail but I figure it was over an hour or so.  It was nice to get back to the car and sit down.  From the parking lot, we let Garmin Gerty lead us back to something that had caught our eye earlier back in Ravenna.  And what a nice find the Ravenna Country Market was.  When I walked in the door and smelled the aroma of baking I was reminded of the Cornerstone Bakery in Yarnell Arizona where we would drive up the Weaver mountains for donuts.  The coffee was great at the Ravenna Market as well as the toasted turkey-swiss cheese-carmelized onions-tomatoes and honey mustard sauce sandwich we had built for us. Kelly's roasted vegetable soup was excellent as well.  Because I like butter tarts so much I stay away from them but this morning I made an exception and hands down had the best butter tart I've ever eaten.  Two thumbs up for the Ravenna Country Market.

 THE RAVENNA COUNTRY MARKET 

 KELLY ORDERS US UP SOME LUNCH

 OOOOH THAT'S GOOD

ADMIRING MY SANDWICH BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO IS HOLDING IT BECAUSE SURELY I AM NOT THAT OLD YET

 IS RAVENNA THE SITE OF THIS ANCIENT ABORIGINAL ROCK ART

 NOPE, IT'S JUST A BIG SPLOTCH FROM A PASSING SEAGULL

From Ravenna, we kind of aimlessly wandered around the scenic countryside atop Blue Mountain.  Judging by some of the homes we saw I figure these people are not just millionaires, they are billionaires.  Some of these huge homes were staggering.  We did manage one more little walk on the Bruce Trail right behind the ski runs where we could see a nice view out over Georgian Bay.  From there we were back at the Condo sometime around 2 p.m.  In this complex, there is a popular Thai restaurant less than a minute's walk from Ben's Condo so Kelly slipped over and brought us back Spring Rolls and Pad Thai. (chicken rice noodles or something.  This is my first experience with Thai food and despite what I had pre-thought Thai food might be, this was really, really, good.  And so, the Bayfield Bunch raps up another day.  In the morning we plan to do a big harbor and shoreline walk in Collingwood and oh how lucky we have been with all this superbly fine sunshine, big blue sky, and warm weather.  However, it's all going into the dumper come Thursday.

 A SECOND SHORT WALK ON THE BRUCE TRAIL TO A SCENIC OVERLOOK

 WE ARE ON TOP OF BLUE MOUNTAIN RIGHT BEHIND THE SKI RUNS

 BEN'S CONDO IS SOMEWHERE DOWN IN THAT AREA

 GEORGIAN BAY WITH COLLINGWOOD JUST OUT OF SIGHT TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE SHORELINE

WE PLAN TO HEAD DOWN THERE IN THE MORNING

I THINK WE HAVE TWO VERY TIRED LITTLE HIKERS HERE.....YES ME TOO

 COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Mary Poppins was traveling home, but due to worsening weather, she decided to stop at a hotel for the night. She approached the receptionist and asked for a room for the night.  "Certainly madam," he replied courteously.  "Is the restaurant open still?" inquired Mary.  "Sorry, no," came the reply, "but room service is available all night.  Would you care to select something from this menu?"  Mary smiled and took the menu and perused it. "Hmm, I would like cauliflower cheese please," said Mary.  "Certainly, madam," he replied.  "And can I have breakfast in bed?" asked Mary politely.  The receptionist nodded and smiled.  "In that case, I would love a couple of poached eggs, please," Mary mused.  After confirming the order, Mary signed in and went up to her room for the night.  The night passed uneventfully and the next morning Mary came down early to check out. The same guy was still on the desk.  "Morning madam...sleep well?"  "Yes, thank you," Mary replied.  "Food to your liking?"  "Well, I have to say the cauliflower cheese was exceptional, I don't think I have had better. Shame about the eggs, though....they really weren't that nice at all," replied Mary truthfully.  "Oh...well, perhaps you could contribute these thoughts to our Guest Comments Book. We are always looking to improve our service and would value your opinion," said the receptionist.  "OK, I will...thanks!" replied Mary....who checked out, then scribbled a comment into the book. Waving, she left to continue her journey.  Curious, the receptionist picked up the book to see the comment Mary had written.  "Supercauliflowercheesebuteggswerequiteatrocios

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BAYFIELD ONTARIO TO COLLINGWOOD WITH A STOP AT WALTERS FALLS

 WALTERS FALLS ONTARIO

Not needing to be up early, we were up early anyway.  Kelly took Pheebs for a walk and I spent my time loading up the Subaru with our stuff.  It was 9:54 when we rolled out of our driveway under sunny skies heading for Collingwood Ontario.  Our first stop was in Wingham where Kelly dropped off some nice clothing she had sold to a lady online.  The second stop was just up the road at Wingham's new McDonalds for coffee and brekky to go.  From there we leisurely cruised northeast through the beautiful Ontario countryside enjoying the scenery.  

 IT WAS NICE TO BE OUT AND GOING SOMEWHERE AGAIN

THOUGHT WE WOULD CHECK OUT SOME REAL ESTATE ALONG THE WAY....HEY, AT LEAST IT HAS A STEEL ROOF, CARPORT, AND A GARAGE

 THE FURTHER NORTH WE WENT THE HILLIER IT GOT

 STOPPED FOR A COUNTRY ROAD LEG STRETCH

Had it not been for Stu from Seasons In the Valley we might have just rolled right on by Walters Falls but I remembered him mentioning Walters Falls a number of times in his blog over the years.  It's a quaintly scenic little Hamlet and there is definitely a very picturesque waterfall there.  Yes, we are in Furry Gnome country now:))

 A NICE CHURCH AND CHURCH ARD IN WALTERS FALLS

 THE FALLS MUST BE NEARBY BECAUSE WE CAN HEAR WATER GUSHING

 WALTERS FALLS IS THE SITE OF AN OLD SAWMILL

 THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY THE FALLS BUT IT WAS PART OF THE SAWMILL OPERATION

 I THINK THIS IS A SIDE TRAIL TO THE BRUCE TRAIL

 OLD SAWMILL RUINS

 IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET A GOOD PHOTO OF THE FALLS AND WITH IT BEING ABOUT 50 FOOT DROP TO THE BOTTOM I DIDN'T SEE ANY EASY WAY TO GET DOWN TO THE BASE OF THE FALLS

 OVERLOOKING WALTERS FALLS IS THE FALLS INN AND SPA

From Walters Falls we headed on to Collingwood not too far distant and I must say here what an absolute pleasure it was driving that Subaru today.  So quiet and so smooth.  It truly makes traveling a pleasure.  The only glitch in the trip was running over an already dead skunk on the road.  We now have skunk juice splattered all over the Sube and that smell dogged us all the rest of the way to Collingwood.  And I imagine it will linger for days now, if not even longer:((

 OUR FIRST SIGHT OF GEORGIAN BAY

 AND THAT AT THE TOP RIGHT IS BLUE MOUNTAIN

 IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE SKI RUNS

Before going to the Condo we decided to take a drive into Collingwood itself.  It had been about 25 years since we were last here.  I could see from Google Earth that Collingwood had grown over the years but I must say both Kelly and I were shocked at just how much it has grown.  Nothing was recognizable to us.  Traffic reminded me of large cities and I don't think there is any kind of store big or small that Collingwood does not have.  If they have one Tim Hortons coffee shop here they must have half a dozen or more.  This place has everything, even a large movie complex.  But of course, we are in ski country here and that is what this place has been built upon.  Like I said before, it kind of reminds me of Jackson Hole Wyoming only much, much, bigger.

 AS INTERESTING AS DOWNTOWN COLLINGWOOD WAS I LOOKED FORWARD TO GETTING OUT OF THE TRAFFIC

 NOT WANTING TO GO BACK THROUGH THE COLLINGWOOD TRAFFIC I USED A BIT OF DEAD RECKONING AND WE FOUND THE CONDO USING A LESS TRAVELLED ROUTE

Despite a sea of Condos in this whole area, we didn't have too much trouble finding Kelly's son Ben's Condo.  Good directions:))  It's actually located about 10 minutes west of Collingwood right at the foot of the ski hills at North Creek Resort.  Ben's condo is on the second floor so luckily we had brought a lot of stuff that required a few trips up a couple flights of stairs.  Excellent exercise for aging Seniors I'd say, well sorta:))  This is a really nice Condo and it definitely has a ski Chalet flavor to it.  What a nice change this is from our mobile home.  And what a welcome break for us made possible by Kelly's youngest son, Ben.

 BEN'S CONDO IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SUBARU AND HERE'S THE BEST PART,,,,,THERE IS NOBODY ELSE HERE:))))))

 THE CONDO IS AT THE TOP OF THOSE TWO FLIGHTS OF WOODEN STAIRS

 OKAY, LET'S STEP INSIDE AND HAVE A LOOK AROUND

 WE JUST CAME IN THAT DOOR TO THE RIGHT

 THERE'S A BED ON THE MAIN FLOOR

 KELLY IS ALREADY IN THE KITCHEN

 THIS UNIT HAS TWO BATHROOMS AND THIS ONE IS MINE

 LET'S HEAD UPSTAIRS SHALL WE

THIS IS KELLY'S BED UP IN THE LOFT

 LOOKING DOWN FROM THE LOFT AREA AND THAT'S MY HAT HANGING ON THE CLOSET DOORKNOB

 UPPER RIGHT 

 KELLY IS STILL IN THE KITCHEN

 A BIG DOUBLE TRIANGLE WINDOW IN THE LOFT AREA

 THERE ARE NO RECLINERS HERE SO I WILL HAVE TO FIX MYSELF UP A SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT USING PILLOWS.....I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN A BED FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS BECAUSE I CAN'T LAY DOWN FLAT

Driving along today I couldn't help but think how nice it was just to be going somewhere again.  New roads, new scenery, and new thoughts, hopes, and ideas.  Even if it's only 4 days it is at least a break from our normal kind of hum-drum daily routine which older folks like us routinely stumble into.  But having said that, there is also something to be said for the stability, security, and comfort of a routine lifestyle as well.  I think the key is to be able to mix it up now and again to keep the mind from stagnating.  The trick is to meld the two things seamlessly together:))

 A FEW VIEWS FROM THE CONDOS PARKING LOT AREA.....THAT FLAT AREA ABOVE THE PARKING GARAGE IS A TENNIS COURT

 THE BOTTOM OF THAT SKI RUN IS LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE FROM THE CONDO

GROANER'S CORNER:(( Upon entering the little country store, the stranger noticed a sign saying "DANGER! BEWARE OF DOG!" posted on the glass door. Inside he noticed a harmless old hound dog asleep on the floor beside the cash register.  He asked the store manager, "Is THAT the dog folks are supposed to beware of?"  "Yep, that's him," he replied.  The stranger couldn't help but be amused. "That certainly doesn't look like a dangerous dog to me. Why in the world would you post that sign?"  "Because," the owner replied, "before I posted that sign, people kept tripping over him."

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