Hiking

One of of the many advantages to being retired is that you can start doing some of those things that you wished you had time or energy for when you are working. I love walking and spend quite a bit of time walking the dogs. Tucker and I have explored pretty much all of the Corner Brook Stream Trail system. When Paula comes home in the summer we usually do some of the hiking trails in Gros Morne Park. I was feeling the need to do more hiking so I gathered my courage and joined a Hiking group. They hike most Saturdays or Sundays from spring til fall.

Tucker enjoying one of our many pipeline walks.


Cali enjoys a leisurely stroll in the park but as for more strenuous hiking...well she'd rather be napping in a sunbeam!

So far I've gone for 2 hikes with the group. the first hike was the Corner Brook Stream trail from City Hall to 3 mile dam and back. It took around 4 hours with a couple of stops and a lunch break. Only a small number of people showed up for this hike, all ladies who enjoy the outdoors. Here we were taking a little water break at a place I refer to as my "praying bench" overlooking the city.

This is a view of the stream from the spot where we stopped for lunch.

The ladies enjoying their lunch.

Today I went on my second hike with the group. Actually, except for the leader, it was an entirely different group of people. It was also a more strenuous hike. We walked up Marble Mountain, right up past the farthest lift up to the Doppler, which I assume has something to do with weather. It was a great walk up but the farther we went the windier and colder it got. Too cold to take many pictures, but man what a view!

Three dogs joined their owners on the hike. This is a shaggy dog which definitely has some Sheep Dog in him. I can't recall his name but he was ignoring the view in favour of some wonderful scent no doubt. There was also a golden retriever named Malta and my Tucker.

A view of the Humber River. I think we were a little more than half way to our destination.

The hiking group heading up the last section of the road leading to the Doppler. I eventually caught up with them again.

It was a long climb but definitely worth it. What a view! Unfortunately it was too windy and it was starting to rain by the time we got there and this picture does not do it justice.

I did mange to find a new plant for my collection. Well new to me anyway. Cousin Sara takes pictures of birds but I find plants are much better at staying still. This is an alpine plant called Diapensia...I know this because it says so in my Audubon book!

The next hike is The Old Man in the Mountain scheduled for next Saturday. I'll let you know how that turns out.