Preparing for the first Big Hike

Two years ago, our family spent a glorious Labour Day weekend at Cyprus Lake at Bruce Penninsula Provincial Park. Back then we knew that the Bruce Trail was some where in the bush and that the Park was packed and that we were lucky to have scored our camp site not far from the shores of Cyprus Lake. Once settled, we hiked through the bush for about a km only to break through the forest and find a party in full swing along the shores of Georgian Bay. At least 50 people, mostly 20 somethings were hiking along the cliffs, jumping off of the cliffs (not suggested by the Park), splashing in the crystal blue water and having an incredibly fabulous day. It was a strange sensation encountering this boisterous group when we had "desolate wilderness" firmly entrenched in our minds.

Two year later later, after "flirting" with various sections of the Bruce - translating to 8 -10 km hikes on a Saturaday afternoon, I decided to become a Brue Trail Member. Last year, at my husband's company Chirstmas party, I had shared my passion about the Bruce Trail with a fellow reveller who told me that, really, the Wiarton to Tobermory stretch was to her, the most spectacular and from what she had heard, the most challenging. I thought - time is aticking - better get at the toughest part while I still could (I will be 47 this year).

In my Bruce Trail Membership, I specified the Penninsula Club which features an end to end hike with a limit of 20 Club members. The Hiking Group starts at Wiarton and works its way to Tobermory over 6 weekends throughout the summer starting in May. The goal is to cover approximately 17 km each day over Saturday and Sunday. Hoping for company, I had specified a family membership. When it came to signing up for the hikes, no other family members were interested. Our 16 yr old daughter had started to assert her independence and had commenced escalation of friend-time. Afterall, she reasoned, in a year she would be moving out to start her own career/future. My youngest daughter was in the throws of wrapping up a rep basketball season and 17 km hikes were the furthest thing from her mind. Though no one wanted to join me, I was determined to hike with the Club regardless. So I contacted the hike organizer and started reviewing the daily sections and planning my stays at local B&B's. Both girls started to show an interest in what I was up to and by the end of week one of planning, Olivia, our 12 year old told me she wanted to join the hikes. Did she realize the hikes would be long? Yes. Did she realize that she had to carry her own food and water because I sure as heck wouldn't be ? Yes.

There are aspects of the hikes that I am unsure of as well. Will Oliva "make it"? She is in superb physical shape because on her basketball conditioning - in better shape than I am but she does tend to obsess over any small injuries, aches or pains which could result in low enjoyment for both of us. On the flip side, she has stoically stuck by my side in previous adventures and has been superb company. At times, I have had to carry both girl's food and water in order to stop the whining and start enjoying the hiking. I do not plan to carry 4 l of water over 17 km - is not going to happen. Will Olivia hold up over two days of hiking, carrying her own things? Right now I plan to drive up - approximately 3 hrs from the GTA, to the Brue Penninsula on the Friday night - get a good night's rest, hike for both days and drive back on Sunday night. And go to work on Monday. Will I be able to carry it off? Will I be a coherent senior manager on Monday morning? I am hoping - Yes.