Well, I have hiked all over the rolling hills of the North Shore and even across the Baie to Mont St. Joseph in the Gaspé, since July 7th. I did take a break this past weekend for a big family birthday party blowout. In 11 days I have hiked over 100 km. Only one little blister. Thank you to my favourite son-in-law who lent me his expert advice and help on choosing the right hiking boots and socks. He was right!! Un gros merci à ma fille aussi pour l'emprunt de son sac à dos. J'ai réussi à porter 14 livres sur mon dos, sans m'écrouler par terre. J'ai même pu faire un petit besoin dans le bois, sans l'enlever et sans tomber sur dos!
From my hikes I have made a few observations. Firstly, the beer of choice in this area is Bud and Bud Light. I know because I have made a point of picking up some cans on my way home. That is my way of being "eco friendly", one small gesture at a time.
Secondly, the lottery tickets of choice are the pop-opens, because someone loves to buy them and chuck the losers out the window of their car. They are all over the main drag. I should have them all picked up by the time I leave in mid-August. Another "eco friendly gesture" on my part.
I have hiked as early as 6:30 in the morning, and as late as 2:30 in the afternoon on a hot day. NO dawn or dusk for me; I am not into meeting any bears or moose, BOTH of which have been spotted on these roads. Je suis une grosse peureuse!
Vimy (my faithful dog and companion on ALL my hikes) has been spooked more than once by fake lawn deer; I have seen the cutest little front garden full of gnomes of every size and shape; I have been surprised by a "deluxe outhouse" on a front lawn (for show only!) and had a senior citizen in a purple pantsuit (so sixties!) whiz by me on her bicycle, with a perfectly coiffed head of hair! I had spotted her leaving a hairdressing salon two minutes earlier.
However, the highlight of my travels was stopping to chat with the mother of an old school friend of mine. She was stepping out of her house at 8:00 am, dressed perfectly from head to toe, including hat and pearls, and carrying a milk pail. She was on her way to get fresh milk at her son's farm behind her house. Did I mention she is 90 years old?
Jane, you are an inspiration to us all!
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that was TOTALLY life affirming, happened to me this morning. I walked out my door, at 7:30 am, on my way to take Vimy for a walk, before... -
especially in the month of January, on the east coast of Canada. With -35 Celsius temperatures, blizzards, weather bombs, treacherous road... -
That day, I woke up to the news that Canada was seemingly falling apart. I was getting frantic messages to come home, while I still could. ...
What Blowout Annemaries?
ReplyDeleteLa grande fete a ma tante Anne-Marie in Grande-Anse that was a big reunion of Duguays at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOh i miss walking with you! I can see you being eco friendly now;)
ReplyDeleteI picked up a full bag of recyclables on the last leg of my 10.6 hike yesterday. I have to do it, or I do guilt!
ReplyDelete