Some Trails Are Better Left Un-Hiked...

Hello avid followers of the world's most interesting and hotly debated blog! :P. After a long hiking break this summer, I found myself back on the trails today, only to be disappointed in the trail and the weather.

I decided this morning to head back to Spruce Woods Provincial Park. There are many trails there other than Spirit Sands and the Devil's Punch Bowl. I decided to take on the Epinette Creek Hiking Trail System. This trail varies on return trip length from 4 km to 40 km. The weather today decided that I would stick to the 4 km loop as it started raining on me about 2 km in. I'm sad to say that I was not disappointed with having to cut the trek short.

I would not recommend the Epinette Creek Trail for the hiking enthusiast. The trail is wide, groomed, and makes you feel like you are walking through a park (as in city park, not a Provincial park). While the trail does offer its challenges with sharp inclines and declines, and a soft bed alternating between loam to sand, I did not enjoy it.

I will return to take on this trail, but I will return with equipment that doesn't include hiking shoes. This trail I would strongly recommend for the off-road cycling fan, given the trail bed soil, the layout of the trail system, and the many many opportunities to fall off your bike. I would also recommend this trail to well-practiced cross-country skiers.

Unfortunately, this trail was a bust (for me) as a hiking trail, but I think it would redeem itself as a cycling and/or x-country skiing trail.

Until next time, just because a path doesn't work for you the first time, doesn't mean you have to give up on it...

Sometimes You Can't Help But Write....

Self-love

Weep, baby. Weep, baby.

Not today?

Don't worry.

You'll cry again another day.

I can see it in your face;

You know it's near.

That darkness has stalked you here.

It seeks you, hunts you, needs you, steals you.

Why do you let it in, baby, why?

Why don't you just let it walk on by?

Have you not abused yourself enough today?

You let it choose you, woo you, curse you, bruise you.

It has you so spun;

Soon you are going backwards, forwards, left, right, up, down.

It has you undone.

Then the world starts spinning

around, around, around, around

Until the ceiling comes crashing down

On your head, your shoulders, your back

It pounds

you down, down, down, down

Into the ground

And you think, “my God, I have drowned”.

But you haven't, baby, you haven't drowned.

Do you feel that?

Do you feel that stress inside your chest?

Your lungs they fill with the air you breath

Pressing against your rib.

Feel it, baby, you are alive.

Inhale, expand.

Exhale, try and stand.

Do you hear that?

Do you hear that thrumming, drumming, pumping sound?

It's you heart, baby.

Your heart.

Your heart it still beats against your breast.

Listen to that sound pounding in your chest.

Your heart it beats

Again, again. Again, again. Again, again. Again, again.

Then the pain comes swooping down.

It washes over you, around you, under you, into you.

Seeps down to your core.

But it's okay, baby.

The pain means you're still here.

It means you can still take more.

But you can't take it.

You don't want to.

You want to feel numb.

So you decide to fight it.

You slash, you stab, you scream, you stray.

Just stop, baby, stop!

It doesn't work that way.

You cannot bleed this pain away.

This pain, it hurts,

I know.

I feel it too.

But accept this pain as part of you.

Use it, own it, eat it, hone it.

Use it to mend the open sores.

Use it to heal all the scores

of lies, betrayal, and open-ended tales.

Use it to steel and restore

the frayed edges of your soul

and that fractured, shattered, jagged hole.

It takes time, baby, time to heal.

Time to steel.

I know you want to run away.

Run far, far, far, far away.

But there is nowhere you can go.

There is nowhere that will let you forget what you know.

So stay here, baby, stay with me.

Next time you feel yourself being dragged into that big black fold,

And you reach for,

grasp at,

something to hold;

Hold on to me.

I'll never let you go.

I have not, I am not, and I will never go.

Because I love you, baby, I love you still.

I always have, I do, and I always will.

Because you are me, and I am you.

And there is nothing I wouldn't do for us two.

I will even love you against your will.

Because I need you here.

Here with me.

I will share your hurt, your pain, your grief, your misery.

You will never be alone.

With me, baby, you will always have a home.

So, weep, baby. Weep, baby.

Not today?

Don't worry.

You'll cry again another day.

- P.M.A.

Well, Pickle My Beets, and Colour Me Handy...

August is off to a sluggish start. After spending a fabulous long weekend with my sister, her little boy, and my brother, I got the flu. Yeah. Thanks, little nephew. This flu still has me under its thumb, and with all this heat and humidity, the misery is amplified. Alas, I am still able to function, and have found the August Challenge (or rather, the August Challenge has found me)!

Back in May, I purchased a membership with a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program with Stonelane Orchard. A couple of weeks ago, I began collecting my bounty. And o my, is there ever alot of produce for one person! For those of you who are unfamiliar with CSA, essentially you purchase a membership prior to the growing season for a flat rate. Then, over the course of the summer and fall (for the CSA I belong to, the season is 14 weeks), you pick up a weekly basket of fresh local fruits and veggies.

I had been forewarned that it would be too much for one person. I eat alot of fruit and veg, so I figured "Mein, how much could it actually be?". I learned pretty quick that it is alot, and found I was unprepared. With a fridge full of rhubarb, cucumber, zucchini, beets, black currants, banana peppers, chili peppers, sweet peppers, potatoes, green beans, wax beans, black beans, snap peas, tomatoes, cherry/grape/plumb tomatoes, cabbages, etc. (did I mention I have only had two installments thus far??), I couldn't keep up, though I tried honourably!!

Last Saturday at Chapters, while on the phone chatting to my Edmonton friend, I was perusing the books in the cooking section. Just as I walked by a display table, I stopped dead in my tracks and there it was: the bible on preserving fresh fruits and veggies (cue beaming ray of light, harps, and angel choir). The title of this book: "Preserve It!". Doesn't leave much to the imagination, does it?

This book really is a God send for a green "chef" like me. It goes through everything from natural storage to drying to freezing to pickling and everything in between. It even covers how to make your own wine and beer from scratch (pea-pod wine, anyone?). If you are interested in how to preserve food (even smoking and curing meats) I definitely recommend this book. For the novice, it is easy to follow, has LOTS of very helpful pictures, and covers pretty much every type of fruit and vegetable that will come out of your garden.

So, learning how to preserve foods is my Challenge for August. So far, so good (but I have only blanched my beans, so don't applaud me yet). I have beets in the fridge, and hope to get more tomorrow so that I can do a proper batch of picked beets. I will be pickling the banana peppers too, Inshallah!

One thing this book doesn't cover is Sauerkraut. I have cabbage (leftover from the cabbage rolls I made), and I would like to do something with it besides coleslaw. If you have a great recipe, I'd love to get it!

Until next time, just because you didn't grow it, doesn't mean you can't stow it! Let's support our local growers, move out of the "Safeway" safe zone, and practice the age old tradition of food pride and preservation.

If You Have a Compass, You Should Chart a Course...

We have all heard the wisdom about life. "Life is about how you live it." "The journey is the thing." "Carpe diem." "A pebble dropped in an ocean still makes a ripple." One of my favourites is as follows:

"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry." Earnest Hemingway - A Farewell to Arms

For those of you who know me, I have broken into many pieces, of which I am still trying to locate a few stray fragments to glue back into place. O, Mr. Dumpty, we should talk....

So, I have decided to redirect all this nonsense. I just turned 27 last week, and I am hopefully getting a divorce soon. At 27, I find it particularly hopeless if I am hopeful about being divorced. As well, I can only assume I have just been dumped; when he just stops calling/returning calls, you are dumped, right? That was a let down. I was pretty happy with him. Now I am single again. Yikes.

To redirect, I need to make a change of course. I think I have lost some of the spunk I used to have. I've become dependent on those around me for interest, instead of myself. Now, that's a pity.

So this is the plan: every month until my 28th birthday, I am going to try - and get involved in - something I have never done before. And this is the challenge: it has to be done on a very tight budget. Very tight.

I suppose this might sound like a desperate attempt to bandage my pieces back together again. Maybe it is. I do know that I need to find new challenges, seek new interests, and rediscover my spontaneity. I also need to find my way back to that chunk of who I am that I lost along the way.

Here comes the fun part!! I am open to suggestions! If there is something out there that is fun, quirky, or totally out to lunch, I want to hear about it, but only if you want to read about it! This is what I'm thinking so far:
August - dunno yet
September - still dunno yet
October - Photography Classes
November - Rock Climbing
December - not a clue
January - no idea
February - Dog Sledding
March - help me please!!
April - egads...
May - Hunting Lessons and Workshops
June - sigh...
July - this is harder than I thought

As you can see, I need a hand. I still plan on hiking when I can, and keeping my Edmonton friend up to speed with my workout plans. Plans, plans, plans... but just for a year. After that, your guess is as good as mine.

The world will not kill me. I won't let it. One may be able to see my roughly fused seams, but at least that will be honest.

Until next time, uncharted territory is uncertain, but the direction we move in is chosen. I choose to move with certainty through the uncertain.

Sometimes You Have to Shift From Second Gear to Third...

Egads, it has been a while! Between the weather being wet and dreary for the past while, my mood has also matched. This coupling does nothing to motivate one's self. So, at the request of a friend who lives in a far off land known as Edmonton (I know, it does sound like some Martian planet, but I hear the people are pretty cool), I have decided to adjust my blog to serve as a venue for dialog regarding our mutual goal: get healthy and keep motivated!!

I kicked things off to a good start telling my friend about my home gym, and made her green with envy. I have converted the extra bedroom in my apartment into a home gym. It's not Club Med or anything, but between this, Bird's Hill Park being 20 minutes away, and a lovely riverside community walkway and park across the street from my apartment, I should be set. Now, if I can only remember where I last saw my motivation.....

In addition to this, I had also set myself on another challenge to eat as much locally as possible. I went for a little grocery shop today at the local Safeway to see what they would have to offer. I was so disappointed! It was nearly impossible to even find produce that was grown in Canada. Needless to say, I left with just enough to get through the remainder of the week, and then I will hit the farmer's market on Saturday.

So, Edmonton friend, I guess this is where we are going to begin!! I have not had any motivation to start working out because I have been too busy having a private pity party. The party is over though!! The following are my goals for September 20th:

- reach and maintain my goal weight

- run the loop at Bird's Hill Park in 60 mins (without stopping or feeling like I will pass out)

- do three (3) consecutive chin-ups

Don't worry, I will still be blogging about my hiking trips. I still hope to undertake Pine Point Rapids in the Whiteshell in the not too distant future, and I would really love to do Pinsew Falls out by Thompson. The latter will require much more planning, and hopefully a hiking buddy.

Until next time, if you get stuck in second gear, it will take you that much longer to reach your destination.

Some Things are Better Left Alone

Well, after a brief hiatus due to weather and a certain nephew's birthday, I hit the road again to tackle another new trail. This time, a friend of mine joined me for the trip.

The day started later than usual. After picking up my friend, we had to make a stop at Cabela's. I was looking to purchase some bear spray (I had promised my friend who had promised her boyfriend that I would bring some) and they were out. I did discover a nifty new tool thanks to the staff there. Bear bangers! It's actually pretty neat. The "launching" device looks a lot like a pen, and at the tip of this device, a cartridge is screwed in. When the pin is off safety and pulled back, the latch springs forward and impacts on the casing. This creates a bang louder than a shotgun (or so I am told). What is also neat are the flares that can be used in the same fashion. I love sporting goods stores... you never know what you will find!

So, after fulfilling my promise, we were back on the road. Todays destination was Nopiming Park, and the Ancient Mountains Trail. Nopiming Park is north east of Lac Du Bonnet, and is the most impressive park I have ever visited. I am pretty familiar with the southern section of the park after having spent much time there with Dave at the DND CFSSAT SERE camp at Springer Lake and surrounding areas.

We were headed to the northern section of the park, just south of Atikaki Provincial Park. After a lot of driving, we finally found the trail head. For those of you who have never been to Nopiming, I encourage you to go. Set on the cusp of shield country, the land is a beautiful mixture of lakes, bog, exposed bedrock, and "mountains" (I use this term loosely as when compared to the Rockies, they are more like big hills).

The vistas were amazing. My friend who is not completely used to being outside in nature, could not get over the silence. I love this silence; it is what keeps me coming back again and again. I find the sounds and movements of city life smothering. Being able to access areas that are quiet, that are secluded and clean makes me feel calm. I always feel so sad when I have to leave. As silly as it may sound, I feel much more centered when I am outside in the woods than anywhere else.

The trail up to the peak was painfully short. According to Parks, the total trip should have taken an hour and twenty minutes. I guess it would take that much time if you were 80 years old, and a serial smoker with one leg. We were at the top in 15 minutes.

It was a good trip for my friend as she just wanted to get her feet wet. For me, although the destination was breath taking, the journey was an utter disappointment. I prefer the challenge of a good hike much more than I do a good view. I would not make the trip out here again unless I were to be camping in the area and taking advantage of what this beautiful place has to offer.

If I sound a little off in this blog, it is because this trip was a bit off for me. I had invited my friend to join me because I though I would prefer the company. Maybe it was just the disappointment of the trail, but in hindsight I would rather have been alone and not on a schedule. Until now, I don't think I realized how intimate these trips are for me. I cherish my friend dearly, and I think I will take her on other trips closer to the city, but for the new ones I want to explore, I may do that on my own. In truth, I have only enjoyed being out with one person. I don't think that will happen any more though.

On a hike, as in life, I will trudge along and trudge alone, knowing I have wonderful people in my life who love and support me.

Until next time, it's ok to take things personally, because if you don't, no one else will.

Chocolate Cake

Here in Manitoba, we have been blessed this spring with unusually warm weather, and I have thus far been taking full advantage of this. This weekend was no exception. I decided to venture to Spruce Woods Provincial Park near Carberry. I had been there previously a few years ago, but did not explore the area to my satisfaction. Like so many other facets of my life, I felt this needed to be rectified.

Saturday started early, and I was on the road by 07hr20. My intention was to reach the park early to avoid the typical increase of visitors that occurs early in the afternoon, and to beat the heat. I was venturing into a desert, you see. I wanted to explore the Spirit Sands, an area that has been historically revered and respected by indigenous tribes of the area. Like all things sacred, new comers to the land have a need to make their mark as well.

You see this sign as soon as you enter the trail. I found this placard to be all at once comical, cementing, and heartbreaking. Comical because if you get a chance to hike this area, I'm sure you will agree that it is one of the most peaceful experiences one may have. Cementing because even in areas such as this one, in mined areas, and any other place man decided to lay to waste, nature with all its patience and tenacity, has the ethereal ability to restore itself without prejudice. And heartbreaking because, despite mankind's ability to choose and reason, we still continue to abuse the only thing that keeps us alive and thriving.

But I will go on and enjoy the day and what it has to offer. And did this day have much to offer!

Shortly up the trail, there is a fork where you can choose which direction to go. The path to the right, of shorter distance, takes you to the sand dunes. The path to the left, of a longer distance, takes you to the Devil's punch bowl. I opted for the shorter trail to start and headed for the sand dunes. Like the knowledge of having chocolate cake for dessert, I left the Devil's punch bowl for last. I mean, who can resist a name like "Devil's punch bowl"!! This would be my dessert.

I was alone in the park which was very nice. I think that the serenity of the place might have been lost on me if I was constantly walking into loudly talking people with their unrestrained dogs. I took a detour to a vantage point set atop a large hill, allowing for some pretty impressive views of the park. I really enjoy this photo below because it reminds me of an artscape a friend of mine had done downtown a few years ago. He created large "spots" of plywood covered with live grass and attached them on the sides of buildings along an alley way, in an effort, I believe, to bring a quintessential piece of suburban vegetation (grass) into hostile territory.

The landscape here, like the rest of Manitoba, is unique to its location. I have had the opportunity, through my current job, and with previous jobs, to travel all over Manitoba. From the fertile lands of southern Manitoba, to the clay laden ground of the Interlake, the moon-like terrain of Flin Flon, the glacier scarred shield of the east, the densely forrested lands of central Manitoba, and rounding off nicely with the bottomless sands of Reindeer Lake. This is why Manitoba is so interesting to me. It is completely diverse, yet always feels like home.

Today's home being Spruce Woods, would start kicking my behind very shortly as I realized I need to work out more. The trail through the sand dunes was very challenging. Thankfully, ladders, like the one pictured below, assisted noodle legged hikers like myself make it up some pretty tough inclines. These ladders were a godsend going up, but going down was an entirely different story. The logs, strung together with cable wire, rolled underneath your feet if not rooted, and the blown sand created a surface akin to ice coated sidewalks.

The sand dunes had a very unusual effect on me. While in complete awe of the versatility of the vegetation able to grow here (including an tight forest oasis of pines), I couldn't stop taking pleasure in the textures and temporariness of the sand. In some areas, the sand was rippled like a creek on a breezy day. Other areas where the lee of a dune was more protected, the sand draped the hill side like a smooth velvet blanket.

I lost the trail at one point because the previous hikers footsteps had been blown away, leaving me to scurry up and down three dunes to get back on track to avoid damaging the fragile plants that grew along the bases. I kept finding these entirely charming sand circles (for lack of a better term). Fallen plants, still rooted, had been blown in circles creating consistent patterns, like the one below.

After I exhausted the sand dunes, I went for the cake! The trail to the Devil's Punch Bowl was much more typical to other trails I have hiked (apart from the mostly sand trail bed). The trees were already leafing, and the spring flowers were out. Still no one on the trail! Thank goodness, because I probably looked a wreck, what with my pants rolled up, bandanna on my head, and dirty from kneeling or laying on the ground trying to get a decent picture. I did spot the crocus again!

The hike to the punch bowl was drastically less taxing on my legs than the hike through the dunes. It was nice to enjoy a leisurely walk through the park, taking in spring, and just being outside. When I reached the punch bowl, I was rewarded by a colourful body of water. Reds, greens, and blues mixed seamlessly to create a unique fixture in this park. This body of water feeds into the Assiniboine River, and is endured by an underground stream. The Devil's Punch Bowl, certainly took the cake.

I found Spruce Woods Provincial Park to be a very rewarding experience. The Devil's Punch Bowl is certainly an amazing sight to be seen. I did find, however, the hike through the sand dunes to be my favourite part of the days journey. It was unusual, refreshing, and thought provoking. I think I may have to revisit this place again.

Along the whole of the trail, I was constantly picking up garbage until my pockets couldn't contain any more. I kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a garbage bag. I guess a part of me would hope that people would have enough respect and regard for such a fragile ecosystem such as this. But then again, we did test explosives here...

Until next time, just because the wind may blow your footprints away, you still leave a trail behind.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Today is a beautiful day in Southern Manitoba. Sunny, light wind, and a high of 21c!!! I decided to not take a lengthy hike today, but rather take in one of Manitoba's interesting attractions.

I visited the Narcisse Snake Dens in Narcisse (go figure). I've been there many times before to see the snakes during their fall migration, but have never seen their summer mating season, which I hear is something "you have to see!". The park was full of people, lots of families, many people with cameras, and everyone enjoying the weather. The trail through the dens is relatively short (just under 4 kms). At each of the 4 dens, there is a platform for viewing and fencing to prevent people from getting a closer look.

I figured that given the time of year, and the very warm weather, the snakes would be out in full fury. But I was left disappointed with nary a serpent soul to be found. I would love to take my nephew here when the snakes are out. It really is something else!!

I was not completely disappointed on this trip. I found a patch of rare white prairie-crocus (these flowers are typically a deep "easter egg" purple), which was a surprising find and made my day. Prairie-crocuses are very pretty to look at, but not something you would like to pick and bring home to mom. The sap is caustic, which means these flowers are nice to look at, and better left alone.

Although it was a rather uneventful outing (save for the crocuses), it was still a lovely walk on an unusually warm April day in Manitoba. I did see the usual unusual things along the way, though:

• the wild turkey that struts around Clandeboye challenging vehicles that drive by
• the dangerous aardvarks just east of Teulon (I don't think there really are aardvarks there, but the sign does warn one to beware of them...)
• the blasted Historical Site that is well advertised, but I still cannot prove its existence

I hope to have a more exciting post next time. Until next time, even pretty things are sometimes better left alone.

Knowing When It's Time to Turn Around

At the suggestion of my mom, an avid blogger herself these days, I have decided to start my own blog. My blog will probably consist of mainly of my forays into the beautiful Manitoban backyard: vast areas of mildly populated to unpopulated areas.

A little background on myself first would be appropriate, I think. I am 26, currently residing in a small city just outside Winnipeg, and hold my parents accountable for my unquenchable thirst to be in the out-of-doors. Mom and Dad did the best thing they could have done for my brother, my sister and I. They bought a cottage in a semi-isolated Provincial Park where we had the opportunity to swim in the lake until our fingers were wrinkled, we would go cycling, fort building, trail cutting, had late night bonfires, and went exploring secluded beaches and islands. It was amazing!! I believe my experience at our cottage is what bloomed the environmentalist in me (as I am now working as an Environment Officer with Manitoba Conservation), and has sparked the adventurer in me.

So yesterday, I decided to go hike the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla Provincial Park. Hecla is a beautiful island, and has much to offer. Having already hiked the Red Fox Trail last weekend (a minor 10km trail through the marshes and along the lake shore), I decided to challenge myself further and return to take on the Black Wolf.

The Black Wolf Trail runs approximately 16 - 18 kms long (depending on which route you take) and supposedly takes one past numerous historical sites. Yesterday was perfect hiking weather. Warm, slight breeze, and no bugs. The total hike would have taken me all day (being just over a 30km return), so I set out early.

Things were going well, and there was lots to see. Beavers, ducks, geese, a moose skeleton. Once the trail headed off the marsh and into the woods, there was some sign of predators. Two beaver carcasses were at the head of the wooded trail. No big deal. They were not fresh, and had been picked clean already. My biggest concern on the trail were bears, as I did not have my bear spray with me... just my Fox 40 whistle. So I walked on.

I have to say that my appreciation of what is around me in nature has matured significantly from from my experiences with my boyfriend Dave, and his fellow SERE Instructors with the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Areomedical Training. I now subconsciously challenge myself to "read between the lines". I take note of native vegetation that could be used as a food source, fuel or shelter. I look for animal tracks, rubs, nests, scat, and can (the majority of the time) identify them. It is a useful skill to have....

When I was 8kms into the trail, I chose to take the longer route... and unwittingly I found myself walking a trail dividing two pretty significant stretches of water. At the head of this trail section, I found moose track, probably no more than a day or two old... and wolf track. I had seen wolf scat earlier on the trail, but it was very old, and no fresh tracks. Here, it was very different. I continued on for another 300m, but the wolf track became so numerous, the entire trail bed was mosaicked with them.

I stopped at this point and assessed my situation. I was alone on a trail that traveled into a thick and secluded section of wood in Hecla. I had no cell service. I did not have a rifle, just my whistle, my walking stick, my knife, and my wits. I did not see any fresh kill in the area, but given the varying age and number of wolf tracks, this was a main route for them. Both sides of this trail section was surrounded with knee deep water. If they were to come up from behind me, I would be blocking their route. If they were to come from the front, I would still be blocking their route. The off chance that this happened, my only exit would be the trail, or the water. The water would be a very bad idea, as they would just wait for me on dry land, and I would probably be almost hypothermic (and bleed out slower).

An attack by a lone wolf, possibly survivable. Sacrifice my left side, and leave my right arm free to defend with my knife. A pack of them, no way!! I know Hecla is now a tourist area, but I don't know how accustomed to humans the black wolves are. I decided I did not like the situation, and figured it was time to turn around and go back the way I came.

I know it is odd to have the above thought process, but I can't help it. I prefer to be hyperaware of my situation, and have an uncontrollable imagination for possible situations and how to manage them.

I will reattempt the trail in the near future, but will probably recruit someone else to accompany me. I prefer the hike alone, but not in areas like this. The trail is really beautiful, but being the first person on the trail this season, I think it will wait for another day.

Until next time, keep your eyes open... there is so much out there to see!!