I grew up less than a mile from the forks of the Don
River. I spent many warm summer days swinging from a "Tarzan" rope and splashing
into the refreshing water near Flemington Park Golf Club. I’m sure the water
wasn’t pristine, even back then in the seventies, but I didn’t know better. Some
old fire hose tied to a sturdy tree limb overhanging the river was all that was
needed for a great time.
Many school trips found me in the
valley learning to identify trees, orienteering and other activities. A favorite
was our yearly visit in Spring to the Maple Sugar bush that was located at the
south end of what is now Charles Sauriol Conservation Reserve. The day began
with a short bus ride from Selwyn Public School to the cookhouse. Part of the
adventure included crossing the river on a small footbridge with no handrailing.
This bridge remains in my memory because one of my classmates, Bina, wore her
mothers’ shoes to school on the day of our Sugar Bush trip, fell off the
footbridge and was rescued from the river by our teacher. Bina was unhurt, just
a little embarrassed. The trip always ended with a sampling of the Maple Sugar.
Yum.
The valley was also a second home during most of my
teenaged years. A large group of friends would play a game of team tag we called
"Crest and the Cavity Creeps", with the "Crest" team hunting the "Cavity Creeps"
through the valley. (who says teens don’t have a sense of humour) We also
went on many extensive hikes that we referred to as "safaris", along the river.
During my later teenage years the valley was a refuge from the eyes and ears of
our parents, neighbours and law enforcement officials, when we wished to indulge
in the barley and hop experience.
As a young adult I
continued to cherish the valley and began to understand the decline it suffered
through neglect and indifference. It wasn’t until the 90’s, when I began to
notice deer tracks and see hawks, turtles and foxes re-populating the valley
that I realized how much the ecosystem had diminished during my
childhood.
As a maturing adult I now appreciate the
important work individuals like Charles Sauriol and many volunteers and nature
enthusiasts have done for the valley. I continue to take full advantage of the
Don Valley daily, through cycling and blading the trails of Taylor Creek, Serena
Gundy, Edwards Gardens and Sunnybrooke parks. Hiking in Charles Sauriol
Conservation Reserve is a treat not many people take advantage of. I love
the Don Valley and hope it will be revitalized and protected for kids and adults
to enjoy forever.
Hiking In Madawaska
Ontario
I
left Toronto at around 2pm. The trip takes about 3 and half-hours if you drive
non-stop. But that is impossible for me due to the nature of the Coffee vs.
Bladder situation. So, usually the trip takes me about 4 hours.
Unfortunately by the time I’d arrived, there wasn’t enough time to hike that
day. I grabbed a room and some grub from the local grocery store, provisions for
the hikes on the next three days of my stay.
I was awake long
before the time I’d set on the alarm clock, and phoned Ron, a friend living in
the area, at 6 am. He sounded as if he was still under the effect of the
morning cobwebs. By 8 am we’d had breakfast and were on our way to Gun
Lake. It’s a 20-minute drive from Barry’s Bay and by 8:30am we were on the
trail.
Hike 1
We reached Gun Lake an hour later, after a beautiful hike through multi coloured stands of Red and Sugar Maple, Oak, Poplar, Birch and many other Deciduous trees. Towering White Pines, hundreds of years old, majestically reached out to the Sun, with their Coniferous brothers radiating shades of green throughout the hills. Grouse and Squirrels busily went about the business of preparing for Winter. Red Squirrels and Chipmunks chattered loudly to warn the other forest creatures of our presence.
Gun Lake reminded me nothing of its name. It was a quiet little gem in the middle of gently rolling hills, some with their own names, like Gun Hill. Don’t ask me who named them. We fished there and even the fish were full of colour. Speckled Trout living peacefully in this lake provided a further mix of pink and orange and shades of purple.
After enjoying the
beauty of the lake we set out on the trail again. We used up the rest of the
daylight hiking and investigating the many forms of life sharing the habitat.
There were so many varieties of plants, mushrooms, and other fauna. We
were awestruck by the diversity of life.
Hike 2
Daylight found us
climbing slowly a series of hills, revealing other kinds of tree stands. We
noticed a change in the forest as we gained elevation. The tree stands were of
older growth Maple, Oak and Pine. There were more openings in the forest canopy
here, created by the death of old White Pines and other huge trees. We
attributed the fact that people had not exploited this ecosystem to its
remoteness and inaccessibility. Many times that day I gazed into the trees and
wondered if they would be there in the future.
Hike
3
The last day. We hiked along the Opeongo River. I don’t know what that name means in English but I do know it has to do with something beautiful. This was the last day, and that thought made every second of the days’ hike more precious and spiritual. I tried to memorize every sight, sound, and smell, to enjoy for future moments of contemplation. These memories are like medicine when the rat race gets me down.
Here are some nice images from Madawaska Ontario.
Bark Lake
Beside the waterfall
Sleeping Cedar on the Opeongo River
A hidden treasure in the
woods
River flowers