Second Verse, Not like the First
Kerry is away at another B&B by the time we reveille and has left us waffles for the toaster and bacon for DIY frying. The magic is gone. We skip the bacon, toast the waffles and hit the road. We arrive at Cape Croker Campground. The directions say Campground Road but as we pass a fellow hiker vehicle turning down Park Rd, we realize there is an error in the directions. We turn around and down the campground's long drive to join the group.
John, our true Leader returned, wears Kevlar gaiters with long pants. He looks like a seasoned hiker. After signing more papers, John tells us that today is going to be different. Too many hiking rules were violated the day before. People got separated and jeopardized their safety. Today, there were going to be two groups. A fast group and a slow group. The Leaders were designated and no one was to pass the group Leaders. The lines were drawn in the sand. People were to car pool based on the group they thought they should be in. Today we had 22 people.
Olivia and I still want to be in the fast group. Craig looks dejected as his plans for a swift escape back to the city seemed kiboshed. Olivia leaves her walking stick in the car but later in the hike several people worry about her fatiguing and offer her food and water. She complains about a head ache which we associate with dehydration. I ask her to take her walking stick from here on in for the other hikes.
Sunday is a glorious hiking day with at least 5 degrees hotter than the day before - maybe 26C. We all run out of water 3 km before the finish. Olivia has finished her frozen water bottle and mine. She has eaten her sandwich plus half of mine plus a peanut butter and banana wrap provided by a kind fellow hiker. We are all very tired by the end of Sunday.
The 17 km hike is magical. Not as much bear scat and the scenery is very interesting. We make our way down three different levels: the escarpment, ancient coral reefs and another geological feature which I need to look up. We see erratics perched in the forest like sleeping trolls. There are cracks in the rock like the San Andreas fault. We walk through forests where prehistoric ferns brush our hands as we walk. The look outs over Cape Croker with deserted crescent sand beaches are breath taking.
Today there is ample time to take photo's. Everyone comments on how much better today's hike is. The slightly more leisurely pace is appreciated in the increased heat. We note to our selves that water is a more precious commodity than food. Next time we will take an extra 500 ml of water each.
At 3 pm, we leave the group with waves of good bye, see you next time and head for home. In Shelburne we stop for a washroom break. Two sleazy looking guys sitting at a picnic table at the local chip wagon nudge one another as we walk closer for a washroom search. They eye Olivia up and down. They make my skin crawl. I can't get out of there fast enough. We take refuge at the PetroCanada station and leave feeling relieved but hungry. This time we stop at Champs down the road and Olivia loads up on food.
We make it home by 7 PM and line up for a well earned shower.
Yes, I am a little weary the next day at work. 5:30 AM does come early on Monday morning but I feel fully refreshed as if I have been gone for a week, as if someone has shared a tantalizing secret with me. The change in scenery has been good for my soul. The forced slow down, great (no cell service at Kerry's cottage). While we have been hiking, the focus is the hike and watching your step. Olivia has been second in the pack the entire time despite her sporadic headache, her young age and the long distances. She is great company and looks forward to our next hike. So far the experience is very good. The long range forecast for the next hike is high 20's and sunny - another hot one.
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