“If you’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Canada,” once quipped comedian Jeff Foxworthy. He’s not wrong. As Canadians, we often view the forecast as a suggestion while preparing for a gamut of meteorological conditions. Despite the scientific crapshoot, we continue to organize outdoor events hoping for the best. If nothing else, we are a resilient lot.
It’s similar when a schedule of activities is prepared months in advance. Often adjustments have to be made in the eleventh hour. Take for instance the craziness we’ve experienced with minus double-digit temperatures one day and the complete opposite the next day. Overnight the snow has vanished. According to our club schedule, we are snowshoeing at Charlottenburgh Park this morning. Of course, we are still going to the park, being Canucks and all, but we have no idea what to expect when we get there. While shadowy forests tend to hang on to their snow a little longer, we are more likely to encounter bare earth, spots of mushy snow, ice patches, and large puddles. But hey, we are keen for an adventure!
We settle on wearing crampons so that we will at least be ready for any hazardous ice. The trail begins on soft snow, and we occasionally sink unexpectedly. The unevenness of the terrain gives our calf muscles a good workout. I am glad for the security of our crampons which allow us to walk confidently over any ice patches we encounter along the way. It is a nice day, and we are in good spirits.
As we near the first boardwalk, we realize that it is partially submerged and that the water is too deep to wade through. We are forced to loop back to our starting point. To avoid the flooded area, we walk down the main road and rejoin the trail on the other side of the marsh. Problem averted!
The trail through the evergreens is nearly devoid of snow and the more level walking surface is a welcome relief. The pine fragrance hints at the imminent spring, and my mind immediately shifts to the forthcoming season. I am at once sad at the thought of putting away my winter gear and daydreaming of leisurely cycles and long river paddles. Does that make me fickle or an all-seasons-loving Canadian? I am brought back to reality when I notice that we are once again faced with an obstacle. The bridge across the marsh is inaccessible. The path leading up to it is washed out, and, since we don’t relish the thought of filling our boots with ice-water, we must choose an alternate route.
We reach the beach without further incident and enjoy a lunch in the gazebo where the picnic tables are dry. From there we can see the still-frozen river in the foreground with the dark outline of the mountains in the distance. In between, wedged in the ice like a ghost, sits an abandoned sailboat. It bears the name “Gone with the Wind,” which makes we wonder if that is how it got here. I love a good mystery.
We find the eastern trail to complete our twice-deviated loop. Apparently, we are not quite done with surprises. We discover that the final boardwalk is also under water. As the French proverb says, “jamais deux sans trois.” Instead of the pretty narrow trail through the woods, we must take the road less travelled also known as the former 1970’s park entrance. According to a historical plaque in the picnic area, this road would have been the formal drive to the Horowitz family’s summer home. This eastern sector is now overgrown and looks nothing like the memories of my youth. I wonder if anyone else remembers the majestic tree-lined entrance and the swing set surrounded by beautiful mature blue spruces. The only landmark left is a dilapidated washroom building. Still lost in my musings, I realize that we are nearly back to the parking lot.
Despite the somewhat unexpected water hazards, it turned out to be a great outing. Happily, we didn’t let the lack of snow deter us from enjoying a traipse through the forest. I will not put my toques away just yet, though, as I am not so naïve as to think that Mother Nature isn’t hiding another snow squall in her bag of tricks.
For more information about the Cornwall Outdoor Club, visit our website at www.cornwalloutdoorclub.ca or follow us on Facebook.
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