Night and Day

 What a difference a few months can make.

There's a lot more to trip over, for one thing.

There's a trail in Guelph - built and maintained by the Guelph Hiking Trail Club - between the Humane Society and the Niska Rd bridge. I've known about it for a couple of years now, but for some reason or other I'd only ever run it in winter.

..and usually near (or after) dark.

I remembered that it existed last weekend, and that I still had yet to explore its full length as there was a bridge missing up until my last jaunt there late this past winter. So, I set out to see what I could see, and was astonished by how different it looked in the lush growth of summer!

Winter darkness - January 2021

Winter sun - a little more inviting in February 2020

HOLY HECK - August 2021

I couldn't believe how unfamiliar everything appeared when I'm so accustomed to seeing it covered in snow and ice.

Barren field into leafless forest - January 2021

A riot of growth in August 2021
(This may not actually be the same spot)

While static landmarks like bridges were easily identified, even they looked a bit strange with dramatically lower water (or rather ice?) levels than I've ever seen.

Bridge where the side trails form a figure 8 with the main trail

The tributary of the Speed River had dried up almost completely

Lots of ice in February 2020

Just a mudflat in August 2021

Other parts of the trail were completely unrecognizable from their familiar forms.

I've always wondered - is it safer to run through a spot where a lot of trees have already fallen when it's super windy out, or does that actually increase the risk?

Umm, wait - what fallen trees?

I discovered boggy spots and endless roots and rocks I'd never seen before, as they'd always been buried in snow and ice.

Another thing I'd never encountered here previously was the hordes of voracious mosquitoes!

I pushed farther along than I ever had before; I actually ended up passing right by the Guelph Humane Society, and - finding orange (main trail) blazes past a short road section - ended up trotting along between the Speed River and Wellington Road.

Some welcome shade - rain had been predicted, but never materialized

It was beautiful but very humid and quite hot when the sun shone

I reached the parking lot for the skate park on Wellington a little more than 4.5km from where I'd started, and - only having brought a single hand bottle of water as the section I was doing said it was less than 4km total one-way - decided to turn around, after dunking my tubular bandana in the river to try to get some cooling.

It was a "cooling fabric", yet I actually still found it less effective than a cotton bandana

The further reaches of the trail hug the river's edge quite closely, giving it a much different character than the western end.

They're both charming in their own ways, though

As I returned to the portions of the trail with which I thought I was familiar, I was once again astonished by how different they appeared in the height of summer.

So much rootier than I had known, and that vibrant undergrowth is amazing!

I don't honestly think I can decide which way I like it best - draped in white in the depths of winter, or bursting with life in the heat of summer.

Because this is absolutely stunning too - at least to me!

Lucky for me I'm not forced to choose; with the trailhead just a 25min drive from my doorstep, I can feel free to explore it any time I like!

Though I think I'll wear a few more layers for the winter excursions..

So here's your reminder that you never really know a trail until you've seen it in all its seasons, and you may be surprised by how much it can feel like a fresh exploration when you see things you think are familiar in a whole new light. 

Shout out to the GHTC for their hard work to give me - and other trail wanderers - such a lovely playground!

En-June-ment

 Oh, June..

With your extra dramatic sunsets

I can't say that spring or summer is my favourite season, but I think June might actually be my favourite month.

Something I've only just realised - you'd think I'd have known!

Snow is finally a thing of the past, and you can peel off all the layers that can feel so restrictive during the colder months. 

You can often find some natural accessories for an outfit, too

You'll seldom have to worry about getting chilled after a run, either, so can forego needing to bring along a change of clothes if you're running place-to-place.

Though I do recommend a change of shoes if you go for a cool-down dip at the end

I love that there are flowers everywhere..

Along the trailsides

Carpeting the riverbanks

In the catwalks

Even in gardens around the city, helping our native pollinators as they do their important work

The air is scented with ever-changing flower fragrances: first the lilacs and lily of the valley, then phlox and peonies, and on to roses and clover and blossom-laden trees.

I have no idea what this is, but it smells divine!

The trees that don't burst forth with luscious petals - or that have already dropped them - stretch canopies of leaves overhead to shelter you from the scorching sun.

Nothing more pleasant than some cooling shade on a hot day.

Once barren-looking, monotone brown trails explode into a riot of green.

This was nothing much to look at  a bare few weeks before.

With it still being spring until the latter third of the month, you can feel the whole summer stretching out in front of you, full of possibilities. 

Though I'm not sure anyone will enjoy it quite as much as Esme

The best part of all (as long as you're not a goofy kitty who just wants to wriggle in the grass), though?

It's the start of TRAIL SNACK SEASON!

Awww, yiss!

I was just bopping along a trail I'd only recently come to know, and was midway down a steep hill when I dug in my heels to come to a screeching halt. I'd spotted that patch above and needed to investigate more thoroughly. Sure enough - hundreds of perfectly ripe, wild strawberries!

I only ate 4, but you can bet I'll be back for more!

The raspberries along the singletrack to the pollinator preserve - not to mention the ones that suddenly showed up in our backyard last year - are coming along nicely, and should be ready for mid-run munching within a week or so. As the summer presses on, I hope to get myself further north or to higher elevations where I might find wild blueberries as well!

In the meantime, you'll find me with a flower in my hat, just eating my way around the landscape..

..and completely unable to wipe that smile off my face.

The solstice is this Sunday, so happy summer to all of you!