Paul and I love to hike and we love to travel. We make a point of going on the iconic hikes in the countries we visit. Some of our most memorable faraway hikes include: the Inca Trail in Peru; Cinque Terre in Italy; Mount Meru in Tanzania; Pulpit Rock in Norway and The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah.  Our longest one-day hike was 25 km, to the Base of the Towers at Torres del Paine, in Patagonia. The steepest hike was up the Gros Piton, in St. Lucia. One of our favourite Canadian hikes is the Skerwink Trail, near Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. That all said, we are lucky enough to have a ski chalet, just steps away from one of the prettiest hiking trails anywhere- The Bruce Trail.

The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest continuous footpath in Canada. The trail follows the Niagara Escarpment and runs from Queenston in Niagara to Tobermory, on Georgian Bay.  It is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, one of 13 in Canada. The Bruce Trail is 895 km in length, with 435 km in scenic sidetrails. 900 private landowners generously allow the trail to flow through their land and allow the passage of hikers. The trail also treks through land owned by the Government of Ontario, local municipality and conservation authorities and land owned by the Bruce Trail Conservancy. The idea for the trail formulated from a discussion between Ray Lowes and Robert Bateman (famous wildlife painter), both Ontario naturalists, in 1959. Ray Lowes formed a committee that included Philip Gosling, Norman Person and Dr. Robert McLaren. The trail officially opened in 1967. The name came from the Bruce Peninsula and Bruce County. The County was named after James Bruce, the 8^th Earl of Elgin and the Governor General of the Province of Canada, from 1847 to 1854.

On March 17^th, 2018, as we hiked the trail near our chalet, we decided we were ready for a challenge and to make it our mission to hike the entire Bruce Trail, end to end. Our plan is to hike the trail in 10 to 20 km sections and in no particular order. Paul quickly found an iPhone app to track our progress and provide a detailed map. It will be a local adventure, to hike the trail beyond our usual routes in and around Caledon. One does not have to travel halfway around the world to experience natural beauty, challenging hikes and tremendous views.

Hike #1-Sunday March 18th, 12 km

We decided to start close to home and dropped our car 15 km away from our ski chalet on Boston Mills Road, just west of Mississauga Road.  Paul, Scout (our border collie) and I were energized and excited to be out enjoying the fresh scenery on a glorious, end-of -winter morning. We had driven down Boston Mills Road many times before when we visited Spirit Tree Cidery, a special restaurant/shop that sells the best butter tarts in Ontario. Yet now walking along, we could admire the beautiful apple orchard, the remarkable horse farm across from the cidery and the distance views of Toronto.  The white rectangular blazes marked our way, confirming that we were on the right track. Soon we came upon the Trans Canada Trailway, a trail we frequent in the summer on our mountain bikes.  Here there is a yard with the most impeccable cedar hedge that I have ever seen.

As we checked our map, another couple with their dog stopped and asked if we needed directions. We started chatting and I suggested that we walk with them and continue our conversation, as we were heading the same direction. Paul and Sylvan’s chat started with an exchange about the local golf course, then quickly turned to business talk. In no time they established that they had mutual acquaintances and business interests. Pratima and I easily conversed about our love of dogs and her desire to adopt a border collie. Soon we discovered that we have kids the exact same age.  As we parted 1 km down the trail, we all remarked on the serendipity of running into people on the trail with whom we have so much in common. Sylvan pronounced that, “there are no coincidences”.  We exchanged contact information and made plans to meet for dinner and continue our easy conversations.

We headed on our way, passed some red clay formations that are part of the Badlands, through a hardwood forest and onto the Grange Sideroad. We were back on familiar ground thrilled to have discovered an easy walking route to Spirit Tree. This would be a great one-way walking excursion when we have guests at the chalet.  As we made our way along the trail leading to the Devil’s Pulpit, we met a former neighbor from The Kingsway. So far we had made new friends with the first people we came across and the second pair included a woman we knew. What a small world we live in!

The Devil’s Pulpit is one of my favourite local sections of the Bruce Trail. At the top is a spectacular view of the Caledon Hills. A steep ladder takes you down, along a rocky piece of escarpment, thankfully with a cable to hold onto, in case you feel wobbly. The trail is full of mossy boulders and this time of year, a lot of ice. There is a section that we call “the refrigerator”, because a cool breeze flows out of the rocks all year long. We carefully made our way down and decided that going up is a lot easier, especially with the ice on the trail. In no time we were back on the Forks of the Credit, heading back to Hilltop Lodge, ready for lunch and very satisfied with our first day of our end-to-end adventure.

Hike #2- Friday March 23rd, 8.37 km

We headed up to Caledon at 9 am, keen to get another hike under our belts and start our weekend early. I really enjoy riding in the car with Paul; we chat, listen to talk radio or podcasts and call the kids on the car’s speakerphone. To facilitate our hikes, we had to take two cars to the chalet this weekend, so I only had the two dogs for company. Thankfully our chalet is only a 45-minute drive from Toronto. I anticipate that there will be a lot of this routine as we walk our way through the Bruce Trail. We dropped Paul’s car on Escarpment Road, just west of Highway 10. Once we had unpacked the weekend’s groceries, did a few chores and ate an early lunch, we headed out from Hilltop Lodge, along the Forks of the Credit Road, on Hike #2.

The start of this hike is one that we do all of the time. Our chalet is located 800 m from Dominion Street, where we jumped onto the trail. This was a very quiet day on the trail, as we ran into only one other hiker, a young woman out by herself. On this popular section, we often see large groups of mostly Asian hikers. I jokingly call this part of the trail, the Ho Chi Minh Trail. These hikers always have the best hiking gear, are very friendly and most are afraid of dogs. I think a tour operator in Toronto has this hike on their regular itineraries.

As we made our way up the escarpment, we quickly warmed up and started shedding layers. We stopped at “Paul’s rock” for a sip of water and a backwards glance of the still snowy slopes of Caledon Ski Club. Paul likes this rock as a rest stop to stretch and catch our breath and stopping here has become a routine. Soon we were making our way down Puckering Lane, enjoying the scenery from the opposite direction than we usually go. We had left Coco, our French Bulldog behind on Hike #1, yet today she seemed determined to prove that she could keep up and should not be left behind again! Coco was supposed to be our stay-at-home lapdog, yet she loves to hike- go figure! Scout led the way, always with a stick in his mouth, ready to fetch whenever we gave him the opportunity.

This trail is just north of the Caledon Mountain Trout Club, where Paul fishes in the summer. I would love to find a path from the Bruce Trail to the Trout Club, as it would be a great destination for me in the summertime. Paul could go off to fish early in the morning, and I could meet him there for lunch and get a ride home! The only problem being, I do not think the members of the Trout Club would like wayward Bruce Trail hikers, stumbling upon their little piece of paradise. I will have to be stealth, if I find a rear access to the club.

In no time, we reached Escarpment Road and saw Paul’s car in the distance. There are several gorgeous large homes with awesome views along this stretch of road. Too bad Highway 10 is rumbling near-by, taking away from this idyllic setting. We walked through the tunnel under the highway and the steady traffic, trusting the engineers who built it. The entrance to the Devil’s Pulpit Golf Club is located at the east end of the tunnel, and we could not resist walking onto the property to admire the magnificent course and tremendous views to Lake Ontario. If we did not already belong to a golf club, I would love to be a member here!

Hike #3- Saturday March 24th, 9.02 km

On this Saturday, it was a special family day at the ski club. The stars aligned and a stretch of cold nights meant that the ski conditions were excellent. We were torn between first tracks on the ski hill and conquering another section of the trail. We decided that we could do it all, starting early with a shorter hike and doing a tour of the Caledon ski slopes in the afternoon.

We dropped my car on Boston Mills, west of Mississauga Road then drove to a designated parking area on 10th Line, near the Terra Cotta Conservation Area. With fingers crossed, we left Paul’s car overnight so that we could continue the hike from the opposite direction the next day. Once again it was a beautiful morning and once again we could count on one hand the number of people we saw. We pinch ourselves that we live in a place of such beauty and solitude. We also worry about the next generation… is everyone at home on their devices?

Some woodcutters had been in this forest, taking down many marked trees. Perhaps the trees have a disease or maybe a forester had suggested thinning the forest. My Google research provided a possible answer- local Ash trees have been infested with the Emerald Ash Borer, a small, shiny emerald green beetle, an invasive species from Asia.

In no time we were back at my car. We could not resist stopping at Spirit Tree, on the way back to the chalet, to pick up slices of homemade pizza, just out of the oven. We spent the afternoon swooshing down the hills at Caledon Ski Club, our last outing of the 2018 ski season. Between the hike and the skiing, we spent most of this day outdoors. With rosy cheeks, we joined our friends at the season-end party and raised a glass of local beer.

Hike #4- Sunday March 25th, 12.38 km

The thermometer on the car read -7 c, as we left the chalet and drove to today’s starting point. We packed up and shut down the chalet before we headed off, as it made sense to head back to Toronto following our hike. We like to be home on Sunday nights as our daughter Lexi usually joins us for dinner and stays overnight.

We parked on a busy road- 6th Line, 1 km south of Highway 7, in Halton Hills. We want to complete every piece of the Bruce Trail, even the sections that are unappealing. Coco rode in her K9 Sportsack for the first two km of the hike. Some parts of the Bruce Trail, including this one, are on the gravel shoulder of busy roads. Coco wasn’t sure about this new mode of transportation and wiggled to maximize her view. When the trail finally entered the forest, I released Coco from her captivity and she shot down the path like a bullet, once again trying to prove that she is in fact a hiking dog!

We did not see any other hikers for the first 8 km. It was a chilly morning, yet the sky was bright blue and the sun was shining. The cooler temperatures meant that the trail was not muddy, as it likely will be when April showers arrive. We walked along many boardwalks over low-lying areas as we made our way into the Silver Creek Conservation area. We met a man who volunteers his time to maintain the trail and we thanked him for his efforts. We packed snacks and water for this long hike knowing that would take us past the lunch hour. We even have a collapsible water bowl for the dogs. As we hiked along, we discussed which items we should bring on every hike- toilet paper and hand wipes were added to our list.

We went up and down the escarpment many times today. We walked along ridges with deep crevices, keeping a close eye on Coco, whose puppy-mind might not recognize the danger. We walked over footbridges over rushing rivers. We came across one outhouse, the first we have seen on the Bruce Trail so far. I held my nose and took advantage of the opportunity, thankful for the tissue in my pocket, as the roll of toilet paper was empty. Parts of the trail still had traces of ice, while other parts coated our hiking shoes with mud. Shade, sun and wind all play a part in the condition of the trail.

As we got closer to the Silver Creek Conservation Area’s parking lot, we started to pass by more hikers. Coco is our social butterfly, wanting to say hi to every person and every dog. We have brief conversations with many people, most remarking on our dogs. Scout’s focus often fascinates people and Coco is so irresistibly cute. I could talk about dogs all day!

Today was our longest hike of our end-to-end endeavour so far. Pleasantly tired and high on endorphins, we were relieved to finally see Paul’s car, as the trail met the road. Over three days, we completed 30 km of the Bruce Trail. What wonderful way to spend the weekend!

Hike #5- Saturday April 21^st, 8.6 km

We took last weekend off from hiking the trail, due to a spring snow/ice storm that blanketed Southern Ontario with ice. Wicked Mother Nature kept us indoors for two straight days, however we made the most of it, and did a lot of spring-cleaning and binge-watched our latest Netflicks series. With sun in the forecast, we headed up to the chalet on Friday after lunch, thrilled to have Ross join us for the weekend. Ross had just finished his second year at university and a quiet weekend with Paul and me was not a hard sell.

Ross chose to sleep in on Saturday morning and not join us on the hike today. We left Coco at home because we were not sure about the slippery conditions on the still snowy trails. Coco peered out at us, as we pulled out of the driveway, unhappy to be left behind.

We started on Escarpment Road, just past Mountainview Road and immediately entered the forest. It was still early in the day, so the snowy trail was crunchy underfoot, making the hiking easier than anticipated. We were the first to walk on this part of the trail since the ice storm. Remarkable Scout led the way, somehow knowing where to go, despite the lack of footprints on the trail. We walked past a snowy field, under trees that had dropped icicles into glittering pools on the ground. It felt so good to be out and about after our snowbound weekend.

Scout cautiously led us around a farm where two gigantic mastiffs threw themselves against the fence, barking madly. I wondered how often these dogs were taken on the trail behind their yard or were they always left to enviously watch their fellow canines trot by? I also wonder if Scout realizes how good he has it with us.

We walked by an old church and cemetery with ancient looking tombstones. Recently I have been researching my family tree, after having my DNA tested with Ancestry DNA. Many of my relatives lived and died in the Caledon area, and perhaps some are buried in this rural graveyard. I have always loved this region, and now I know it is in my blood. I made a mental note to return and have a closer look.

As we made our way along Escarpment Road, we had tremendous views of Toronto, far on the horizon, beyond the glistening fields. It was a quiet day on this part of the Bruce Trail. We saw two other hikers in two hours of hiking.

At last we reached the tunnel that goes under Highway 10, to where we parked Paul’s car. Perhaps thinking that he was safe from the ice while in the tunnel, Paul did not see a large, clear patch and in a blink of an eye was on his back, wondering what had happened. Startled and somewhat embarrassed, Paul picked himself up and brushed himself off, no worse for wear. We collected the other car and headed back to Hilltop Lodge to spend the afternoon with Ross with another stretch of the trail under our belts.

Hike #6, Sunday April 22^nd, 11.2 km

April 22^nd is Earth Day, and there is no better way to celebrate than to be outdoors enjoying nature. We packed up the chalet and made our way to our car drop-off point on 6^th line, south of Highway 7. We started the hike on 3^rd Line near Charles Hildenbrandt Side Trail Parking lot. We were thrilled to have Ross join us today.

The warmth of the previous day had melted much of the snow and ice on the trails, which were now extremely wet and muddy. We were pleased to be wearing our Goretex hiking boots, which kept our feet dry and comfortable. The dogs found every mud puddle and soon were covered from head to tail. Scout rinsed off in a frigid pond and was looking like himself again until he found another mud puddle to dive into.  Coco was delighted to be out with us, after being left at home yesterday. She easily kept up and did not need a lift in her dog pack today.

Many groups joined us on the trail, including a trail running group, out enjoying Earth Day on the Bruce Trail. I think everyone in Southern Ontario was relieved to see the sun, feel it’s warmth and with fingers crossed, hoping that Spring had finally arrived.

As we walked alongside a farmer’s field, dodging puddles, and ducking under branches, Paul was momentarily distracted and walked into a branch, clunking his head. A goose-egg bump quickly appeared, as we lovingly teased him about the hazards of walking and talking.

What a great way to spend time and catch up with Ross, after months of being apart. Ross and Paul rode home together, listening to one of their favourite pod-casts and picking up some fast food nourishment on their way home. The dogs kept me company, as I made my way back to Toronto, looking forward to a family dinner with Jack and Lexi that night.

Hike #7, Saturday April 28^th, 9 km

Today we learned that not all parts of the Bruce Trail are enjoyable! We started on Escarpment Sideroad, heading northeast towards The Dingle. Soon we were heading north on busy Airport Road, facing traffic and hugging the shoulder of the road. As big trucks rattled by us, we turned our backs to the road, to avoid debris spraying in their wake. We walked quickly, anxious to get to safer terrain.

Soon we were on a quieter road, lined with gorgeous weekend homes. At a dead-end of a country road, we entered The Dingle, a glorious forest with elevation and lots of pine trees. This protected region is part of the Oak Ridge Morraine. It was another quiet day on the trail, as we did not see one other hiker.

As we drove back to our dropped car, Scout and I jumped out to run a part of the trail that we had missed. Somehow we had thought the trail was along the road, when in fact it was through a forest. I carried Paul’s phone to record the missed section for our app. Always the rule follower, I want our End-to-End to be official.

Hike #8, Sunday April 29^th, 8.3 km

We parked at the St. Helena Parking lot near Highway 25. Today’s hike was a bit of an obstacle course, with lots of boulders and logs. Coco sometimes thinks she is a Border Collie and flies over logs, chasing Scout down the trail. We took a video and posted it on the dogs’ Instagram site, #ScoutCoco. The cool temperatures allow Coco to continue to join us on our hikes. French Bulldogs have trouble with the heat, so when the summer heat arrives, Coco will be left at home in the air conditioning.

It was very quiet on the trail until we came across a group of 40 hikers including some newcomer Canadians. I quickly recognized that they were speaking Arabic, a language now familiar to me, after spending so much time with my Syrian newcomer family. The group was likely a resettlement team out of a hike, showing the newcomers a great Canadian past time.

As we got near our parked car, there was a side trail shortcut and a longer loop. Once again, I took Paul’s phone and Scout and completed a section, while Paul took tired Coco the shorter route. Muddy and tired, we headed back to Toronto, not sure when we would be back on the trail. With warmer weather on the horizon, our list of favourite outdoor activities grows, pushing our End-to-End quest to the backburner for a while.

Hike #9, Sunday July 8^th, 7.9 km

What a difference a few months makes! The snow is gone and is replaced by lush fields, grassy trails and mixed forests full of foliage. After a two-month break, we were back hiking again, leap-frogging spring and mosquito season, soaring into summer and deer-fly season. Gone are the light-down jackets of our last Bruce Trail hike in April. Today we wore shorts, t-shirts, sunscreen and bug-spray.

We parked our car on Coolihans Sideroad, just east of Airport Road. We were in the thick of the Oak Ridges Morraine, starting on the edge of Glen Haffy Conservation Area. We were at the headwaters of the Humber River, the river that runs behind our Toronto home and along which I walk most days when at home. The Upper Humber River watershed is a tributary of Lake Ontario. The river collects from 750 creeks in Dufferin County. We began our hike at 10 am, trying to beat the heat of mid-day. Ross had joined us at Hilltop Lodge for the weekend and we were thrilled to have him along for another section of the trail.

We packed up at the chalet prior to the hike and had both dogs with us. Coco, the French bulldog, is not good in the heat. Her squashed nose is her nemesis, restricting her breathing and expelling snorts and grunts as she rips down the trails. She has difficulty regulating her body temperature. Our solution is to find shallow streams along the way and submerging her body to cool it down. Ever determined to keep up with Scout and not be left behind, Coco did just fine today.

We did not see any other hikers on the trail today. We were just a 70- minute drive north of the Greater Toronto Area (pop. 7 million), yet we were the only ones out enjoying this pristine nature path on a glorious summer day- go figure! It was perhaps due to the lack of humans that we came upon a set of twin deer fawns playfully romping in a wildflower meadow. I held the dogs while Paul tiptoed closer, to get an Instagram picture. For a minute, the fawns looked at us with curiosity, before suddenly scurrying into the woods, answering the bird-like warning call of their protective doe.

Parts of the trail had over-grown, and long grasses and bushes brushed our legs as we made our way along the trail. I make sure to avoid the Stinging Nettle, a prickly bush that leaves a lasting sting. I am sure that I have had contact with Poison Ivy over the years, yet somehow I have avoided its punishing blistering rash. Apparently 15% of people do not have a reaction to Poison Ivy, so I must be part of that group (knock on wood). One does not get a reaction unless leaves, stem or roots are broken, releasing the urushiul oil. Fun fact- no animals have reactions to Poison Ivy, which is good news for our pooches who bound through forests, bare bellies brushing the ground. The best advice to avoid this noxious weed is this: Leaves of three let them be.

Another hazard we carefully avoid are hidden yellow jacket wasp nests. This type of wasp makes their nests in the ground, almost inviting innocent hikers to step on their homes and be attacked. Six years ago, we discovered that Ross has an anaphylactic allergy to yellow jacket wasp stings, when he was stung while hiking with the cousins in New Brunswick. Rather than just a local reaction, the venom travelled through his body, causing a systemic reaction. Testing at an allergist who specializes in venom confirmed the allergy. Ross has been undergoing immunotherapy ever since, with the hopes of curing this allergy. To be safe, Ross carries an EpiPen and Benadryl tablets. Today when Coco made her way through some long grass to a creek, I asked Ross to stay on the path while I collected Coco. It is better to be safe than sorry!

At last, near the end of today’s hike, we came upon a lookout with a tremendous distant view of Toronto. We paused and took a selfie with Ross, so pleased that he joined us on our journey today. In no time we were at the edge of a field, Paul’s car in the distance. A newer home was built in this field and a path through the tall grass along the trail, had been cut by the owner. This swath of land was once an aggregate quarry, yet now was someone’s home and a section of the Bruce Trail. As we drove to retrieve my car, Coco perched herself in front of an air conditioning vent, happily panting and pleased to be on the way home.

Hike #10, Saturday Nov. 10^th, 9.8 km

Many months have gone by since our last Bruce Trail hike because life got in the way. When we decided to take on this hiking endeavour, Paul was working as a consultant, doing board work and had great plans for his golf game. Last May, an opportunity came along for one more kick at the can and Paul is now running another software company. Golf, travel and work are our excuses for falling behind on our Bruce Trail quest. That all said, it felt good to be back on the Bruce Trail, four months later.

On Nov. 5^th, Paul and I returned from a 16-day adventure. We joined a Backroads trip for a Taste of the Camino, in Portugal and Spain, followed by a week in Morocco with Butterfield and Robinson. We met incredible people, saw beautiful scenery and hiked some challenging terrain. As much as I love to travel, I love to return home. It felt good to be back in our neck of the woods, hiking the Bruce Trail on a crisp November morning.

We started our hike on Hemlock Ridge Side Trail, at 5^th Line and Hockley Valley Road. Within minutes we were consulting Paul’s app on his phone, not sure which direction to turn when our side trail met the main trail running east-west. Our confusion came from the assumption that the Bruce Trail runs north-south. We conferred with a group who were resting at this junction and we were pointed in the right direction. Today, we would be heading east towards Airport Road where we had left our second car. Thankfully we only had to cross this busy road and did not need to hike along it.

Winter arrived early in Ontario and the trail was snow covered however as it was early in the season, it was not yet packed with ice. It was cold and the wind was blowing, and we were pleased to be protected in the forest. The first 2 km of this hike had many ups and downs, running on the outskirts of an old ski resort, giving us a workout and warming up our bodies. Less than a week before we had been hiking in t-shirts and shorts in the Atlas Mountains. The wind chill was a rude awakening that the official start of winter was around the corner.

Scout was in his usual happy-dog mode, leading the way and collecting sticks for us to throw. Coco charged along, happy to be with us and keeping cozy in her knitted pink sweater. When we left the forest and entered open fields, the wind picked up and blowing snow swirled around us. Coco leaned in, determined to keep up, yet clearly not having her best day on the trail. Regrettably, we left her backpack in Toronto, so could not bundle her up and carry her along. I plied her with liver treats and words of encouragement. We all pressed along at a steady clip, looking forward to finishing this section and getting back to the fireplace at cozy Hilltop Lodge. It might take a few weeks to get our heads around winter!

Hike #11, Thursday December 27^th, 11.2 km

The hustle and bustle of the busy Christmas season was finally behind us. Time to relax by the fire, watch movies, read books, play games and take long hikes with the family! Jack returned to Toronto on Boxing Day in order to work for a few days before we headed to Banff for a family ski holiday. This left Paul, me, Lexi and Ross in Caledon with the opportunity to work off some of the Christmas consumption and complete another section of the Bruce Trail. We headed for the Hockey Valley, with the promise to go out for lunch at one of our favourite restaurants (Forage) in Orangeville, as our reward.

Paul and I wisely packed our Yaktraxs, water and snacks. Over the winter, with frequent thaws and freezes, the Bruce Trail can get quite packed down and slippery, making it even more challenging to hike. Yaktraxs are spiked accessories that are placed on the soles of one’s hiking shoes, enabling hikers to walk safely on ice. They are compact and light. Lexi and Ross did not choose to use Yaktraxs today, perhaps trying to flaunt their youth in the face of their “aging” parents or just less afraid of wiping out. Paul brought along his hiking poles- handy tools, especially for steep downhill descents.

We started at the same point as we had back in November, however at the junction off the side-trail, we headed west instead of east. The day was frosty and blustery, yet we were prepared and now acclimatized to wintery conditions. This section was the hilliest yet, the trail rolling up and down like a roller coaster. Lexi led the charge, walking quickly, possibly trying to get the hike over with, enjoy her own company or just find her own rhythm. Ross happily threw Scout’s stick, again and again, while engaging in stimulating conversation. Coco bounded between all of us, delighting us with her antics and keeping us connected.

We hiked over the top of Hockley Valley Ski Resort, in search of the trail’s white blazes, making sure to stay out of the way of skiers. In the distance, we could hear gun shots, possibly a group of people skeet shooting. A few weeks ago, while hiking on the Crow’s Nest side trail near our chalet, we heard gun shots. Scout is always off leash on this trail and has been on it countless times before. I could tell that Scout was a bit rattled at the gunfire and assumed he would stick close to us. In a blink, he was gone, nowhere to be found. Paul went back, the way we had come, calling for Scout, while Coco and I completed the hike into Belfountain, thinking Scout may have run ahead and would be waiting for us. As time went by, with no sign of Scout, I started to panic and picked up the pace. Foolishly, I had left my cell phone at home, so had no way to communicate with Paul. Scout’s dog tag has my phone number on it, so if he was found, my cell phone would be futilely ringing on the kitchen table at the chalet. I started to jog, Coco panting at my side, but keeping up. When we got back to Hilltop Lodge I quickly grabbed my phone and saw three missed calls. A former neighbour had picked-up Scout as he was making his way home on Mississauga Road. What a relief! When we heard gun shots again on our Hockley Valley Bruce Trail hike, taking no chances, I immediately snapped on Scout’s leash.

This hike turned out to be longer than anticipated. Paul’s rough estimate was that we would hike 8 km, yet we ended up hiking over 11 km. “Are we almost there?” was the kids’ refrain, as we made our way up and down hills and along the sides of farmer’s fields. Today we only passed a handful of hikers, which was surprising as we were in the midst of a holiday week. Was nobody else seeking a remedy from the hangover of the Christmas turkey coma?

Finally, the parking lot and one of our cars was in sight. We picked up the second car and made our way into Orangeville for a 2 pm lunch at Forage. We had a fantastic day of hiking the Hockley Valley with Lexi and Ross. We all had a healthy glow as we drove back to the chalet.