Not too far from the cottage we can access one of the longest nature trails around, called the Bruce Trail. Believe it or not, this continuous trail extends some 800 kilometers (500 miles) along the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario alone.For those of you not from this part of the world, the Niagara Escarpment is virtually a steep cliff averaging 75 meters (250 feet) that runs from upstate New York right through our cottage country, around Michigan into Wisconsin and Illinios. The most familiar evidence of the Escarpment occurs when the Niagara River runs over it to form what we know as Niagara Falls. Hard to believe this sheer rock face extends over 1600 kilometers (almost 1000 miles).
There are a seemingly unlimited number of access points to the Bruce Trail and each trail ends up being a feast to the eyes. Two of my favorites are Inglis Falls and Lion's Head, both within a half-hour's drive from the cottage and both on July's schedule of things to do.
The group Jamie's Jems, as they affectionately call themselves, is made up of Alison, Judith and Ginny. This very entertaining group of friends provided me company to Inglis Falls and even organized a picnic lunch while we were there. Nothing like eating outdoors with good friends in beautiful surroundings!
A couple weeks later, I was able to join my friend Becky on a trip to Lion's Head along the same Bruce Trail only further north from Inglis Falls. It doesn't matter how many times I hike this area, I always stand in awe at the views before me. Along the edge of this trail along the Escarpment, you can see Georgian Bay below which looks more like an ocean than just an inlet on a lake!
A day of hiking combined with lunch at the Lion's Head Inn made for another perfect day on the trail.
