Sat, Jul 22 2006 - Easy hike and More Advanced Hike: Terra Cotta Conservation Area (View Original Event Details)
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It is a hike that I will remember always – or at least until all the mosquito bites go away! Seriously.
Once we got to Terra Cotta Conservation Area and got all the paperwork straightened away, participants divided in two groups, mosquito spray applied, maps examined and trails selected, Ben headed out with one group, and our group – the dawdlers and the picture-takers – set out on the Terra Cotta Trail.
Almost immediately, we came upon Wolf Lake, which had beautiful water-lilies scattered throughout it. Some of us stopped to take pictures while the rest of the group twitched and tried to avoid the mosquitoes that rose from the grasses looking for a meal. Fortunately, Melanie had brought the mosquito spray in her backpack, and we all were more serious about the second application! The rest of the day developed a rhythm in which we alternately were chased through wooded areas by ravenous mosquitoes (despite the spray), or we found locations where the insects weren’t nearly as bad, and we could relax and enjoy the scenery and each other’s company.
I have to say, one of the best things about the TOC is the interesting and very cool people who belong to it! There was so much interesting conversation – Melanie using her artist’s eye to point out to the rest of us the interesting colour of the snail shell, or the light in the leaves above our heads; Elliott telling us about his research into proteins at Sick Kid’s Hospital in such a way that you could easily understand the gist of his study; Robyn with her sarcastic wit. Patterns developed: Melanie mentioning colour, Robyn noticing food (berries, apples, mushrooms), and Elliott musing about what a good location this place would be for people in love. And sticks!?!? Susie, Grace, Jack, and John were fairly quiet, but seemed to really enjoy the hike and listening to the conversation. And Susie took more pictures than I did! :)
A short time after we stopped for lunch in a picnic area (with blissfully few mosquitoes), Ben’s group (Ben, Wendy, Jim, Lorie, Linda, and China) happened to join us. It was really great to sit with everybody and get to know the other participants. Apparently, Ben’s group had had extensive discussion through the morning about Ben’s suitability for marriage (or lack thereof), and this continued through our break. Ben, of course, seemed to be enjoying every moment of the exchange.
After our lunch, we went to do some more exploring. This time, our group took the Spring Pond Trail, which seemed to be everybody’s favourite – nice, wide trail, pretty ponds, and – perhaps best of all - relatively few mosquitoes! I mortified Elliott’s English sensibilities by waving to some strangers on the other side of the pond, which prompted yet more interesting discussion about Canadian culture when in the city vs. in a more natural setting.
After the hikes, China, Ben, Jim, Melanie, and I met up at the Goose and Firkin for some more interesting conversation and to devour food. Only Ben had been to the Goose and Firkin before; the rest of us were startled by the hurricane-force hand-dryers in the washrooms! LOL I took out my cell phone to use its calculator to sort out the bill, and haven’t seen it since! (If any of you happened to have grabbed it by accident, please e-mail me ASAP!)
Once home, I realized I should have sprayed myself with DEET far more extensively – who would have thought a mosquito could find the chinks in one’s armour (e.g., the back of one’s elbow?!?!) so easily?
All the complaints about bugs aside, it was a great day and an excellent chance to meet some great new people and to reconnect with some valued friends. Thanks, everybody!!!! :)
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.