Thursday 31 May 2012

Back to Work -- 4 Realizations

This is my first week back at work... Day 4 of the old routine. It has also been 4 days since I last did anything close to a hike, so it was awesome to head out today after work with my little chica to Altona Forest... an easy trail that is close to home.  As eager as I was to get out, we only set foot atrail after 5:00 p.m. All was well until... well... she did the usual.  She fell asleep!  Why the exclamation mark, you ask?  Sleeping is not so bad in a carrier, but snoozing that close to her bed time is risky.  It is currently 9:34 p.m. and she has not yet fallen asleep. 

Realization #1 -- Early evening walks after work that are too close to bedtime might not work out well for a baby.

Realization #2 -- Successfully fitting in our daily hikes is not likely now that I am back at work.

Asleep at 5:45 p.m. in the Carrier ... Zoix!!!


Realization #3 -- I'll likely have to get out on the trail right after work in the late afternoon in case Lil' Chica falls asleep.

Realization #4 -- I am lucky enough that I have a small hiking trail within 5 minutes walk from my home.  If I had to drive to a trail head, I might not be able to hike at all on a weekday evening.

Realization # 5 -- I might have to re-assess my hiking goals and focus on the weekends.  Sigh.

Any tips for making it work out for us?  Let me know.

Thursday 24 May 2012

Gear Review -- Deuter Backpack Kid Comfort III

Gear Review -- Deuter Backpack Kid Comfort III



This past month, we invested in a new backpack child carrier -- the 'Deuter Backpack Kid Comfort III'. With this carrier, I have spent up to 4 hrs at a time outdoors, hiked one of the more difficult trails in my area, and had a decent picnic lunch with my child. Here's my review of the Deuter:-


Pros



Kickstand with Yellow Button Lock to Prevent collapsing,
Sunshade, Packed Upper Storage, Side Storage, Mirror Pocket on the Belt
1. Side Entry -- no need to lift the baby into the carrier as there is a cool and secure side entrance.


2. Hydration System Compartment -- no need to lug water bottles as there is a compartment for a 2 litre hydration pack.


3. Mirror -- use this mirror to view your infant behind you and play peek-a-boo. The neatest thing about the mirror is the velcro sewn into its edge. The mirror-velcro sticks to the inside of the sleek belt pockes -- easy access and it never gets lost.

Cushiony Head, Chin, and Neck Rests
4. Super Comfort for Infant:--


a. Headrest -- super-high, curved and padded headrest makes this good for a wobbly sleepy head, even for an older toddler or pre-schooler


b. Chin and neck rest -- extremely well padded... a mini-pillow of sorts that my little one enjoys. Plus, it is detachable for easier cleaning. I've even used it to rest my own neck if I lean back my head.


c. Padded Straps -- for extra comfort


d. Five-Point Harness -- all adjustable and really secure.


5. Built-In Sun Shade -- the sun shade is stored into a zip-up compartment in the headrest. You never have to detatch it or look for it.


6. Large Grab Handles -- for super easy transporting around and onto your back


7. Storage -- Lots! Enough for more than a few sandwiches; baby food, diapering items, clothes, bottles; small first-aid kit; rain gear (included with purchase); water canister; TP... the site says 20L; side and back pockets...


Cons

1. Weight -- at 7 lbs, 10 oz, this carrier is on the heavier side. Many other carriers are lighter ... but with fewer amenities.


2. Kickstand tough to close --Once the backpack is on you, the kickstand is tough to close because of a safety locking device. You can close the kickstand before you lift the backpack onto you, but you run the risk of the carrier toppling. It hasn't happened to me yet, though.


All set in the Deuter Backpack Kid Comfort III
There are many more aspects to the carrier that I have not yet detailed -- padded belt, breathable materials, easy to adjust to infant's height and parent-hiker's body frame...



I really am glad we purchased the Deuter Backpack Kid Comofrt III. There were less costly options, but I really am glad with what we got.

Let us know about your carrier and how it compares to the  Deuter.  Which carrier do you like?




Sunday 20 May 2012

Leaves of Three, Let it Be?

With the weather warming up, many hikers, especially parent hikers, might be wary of poison ivy along the trails.  But, what does it look like?  Can we safely identify it amongst the other "leaves of three; let it be"? 

Here some three-leaved plants that might be confused with poison ivy:



1.  Wild  Strawberry 
Wild Strawberry


Leaves:

long hairy stalks with toothed teeth

Edible? Toxicity?

Edible fruit and edible fresh or dried leaves.  Partially wilted leaves have been known to contain toxins.  Many people are allergic to the strawberry fruit, so be aware of your child's allergies to common foods.


2.   Trillium  
Leaves of White Trillium (Trillium Grandiflorum)


Leaves:

in a whorl of 3; almost stalkless; broadly diamond-shaped, slim, or mottled green with white; smooth edges 

Edible? Toxicity?

No known allergens
Purple Trillium or Purple Wake Robin
Mottled Leaves of Toad Trillium


 


3.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit 


Leaves and Flower of Jack-in-the-Pulpit



Leaves: 

usually appear with 2 leaves per plant , each with 3 leaflets; dullish green; each leaflet with a middle vein with many branches; each leaflet is usually rounder at base with a narrow point

Edible? Toxicity?

This plant is poisonous only if ingested.  Touching the plant does not seem to cause any known allergic reaction.

 

4.  Beech (young emerging leaves) 

Young, glossy beech leaves not leaves of three

Leaves:

The leaf at the very tip of a branch on many trees, including beech, are single leaves.  Because they do not have an opposite or alternate pair, the first three leaves a the tip of many branches might look like a trio of sorts.  Fear not!  If it grows on a tree with a trunk and is way above ground, it is not poison ivy.





5.  Poison Ivy


Poison Ivy leaves close to the ground

Leaves:

bright, glossy green (newest leaflets can be reddish brown); 3 oval leaflets; each leaflet entirely or partly teethed coarsely.  Trailing like a vine or in a small shrub.

Edible? Toxicity?

Do not eat this plant.  It contains an oily resin that causes a nasty skin reaction when touvhed.  Many people are very sensitive to poison ivy resin.  The resin is not airborne, but it can be carried on clothing, pet fur, tools, and even smoke particles from burning plants. REMOVAL of resin by washing with a strong soap.  The liquid that oozes from the skin does not contain the allergen. 







Red or Meadow Clover

6.  Clover

Leaves: 

on a low-lying bush, alternate leaves with 3 leaflets; sometimes stalked leaves; some leaves green while some have a white V-pattern 

Edible?  Toxicity? 

can be eaten raw or cooked; high in protein.  Known to cause bloating or to contain toxic alkaloids.





Note:  This information on plants with "Leaves of Three"  is not to be considered a professional opinion on plant toxicity.  Please consult your doctor when seeking to understand your child's allergies.  Consult a professional for more information on which plants might pose a danger to your child while on the trail.




Monday 14 May 2012

A Week of Frenetic Hiking

2.5 Weeks Before Mat Leave Ends



Wednesday, May 9th – Mast plus– 7k hilly 
On the Mast Trail hills
Pausing for a Photo on the Mast Trail
Spotting a Snapping Turtle (a baby, it seems) on the Mast near the Little Rouge Creek
I met up with fellow hiker moms Katy and Tizziana.  The goal was to feel it in the thighs, and did we ever!  There are a few steep hills on the Mast Trail for a really good fitness hike (we also completed a bit of the Vista trail just to be able to attack another hill).   We also bumped into some naturalist friends who were looking for any signs of the dangerous Giant Hogweed (it is phototoxic and can literally burn into your skin).  They found, instead, cow parsnip, also phototoxic.  Check here for the difference between Cow Parsnip and Giant Hogweed:  http://www.gavan.ca/nature/giant-hogweed-vs-cow-parsnip-vs-water-hemlock-vs-wild-carrot/
Note to Self: I need to carry my field guide book to differentiate , esp. for when my daughter is older and more able to physically  explore her curiosity for plants.


Friday, May 11th – Colonel Danforth Trail – 7k flat
Trumpeter Swan on Lake Ontario
Today, I met up with my usual Friday crew for a stroller walk along the Highland Creek and Lake Ontario.  This walk always offers refreshing landscape and refreshing conversation.  We even caught glimpses of swans on the lake.




                                      

     Saturday, May 12th – Altona – 3.5k flat
Two Happy Girlies in the Altona Forest
After an early-morning jog, daily chores, and afternoon gardening, the family headed out for a quick walk in the neighbourhood forest.  Lots of Jack in the Pulpit in bloom, but quite a few of them diseased with a rust-coloured fungus called Uromyces aritriphylli.  Yuck!  It actually prevents the female plant from producing seeds:o(

Sunday, May 13th – Durham about 10k in all
It was an awesome Mother’s Day hike in Durham Forest -- about 2 hours on the Main Tract.  Hard to tell but I think we hiked 10 km in all.  There were a lot of cyclists on the trail –more than there were walkers.  I really like that it is quite pristine and only a half-hour drive from home, but I can see it getting even busier as the summer approaches.  With the so many cyclists going fast on the trails and with the summer heat approaching, I think it best to head out to Durham Forest very early in the morning. 

 Monday, May 14th – Mast, Vista, Orchard – about 10k in all
Rest Spot near the Beare Wetlands
Killdeer on the Front Log in theWetlands
Today I was pooped but determined to complete a difficult hike in Rouge Park, my stomping ground.  I got together with my Meetup crew of parents; 6 of us hiked 3 trails with tots in tow.  There were 4 steep hills and many rugged spots.  We got out early enough to beat the heat; and, with all the tree cover, we stayed cool enough.  Our mid-way stop was at the Beare Wetlands, an awesome site for spotting turtles, swans, geese and even a killdeer (a bird) that we do not often chance upon.  At this point, I think I need a few days off just to rest my muscles.  My hamstrings and calves are tingling as I write; a likely indicator of sore muscles tomorrow.

Oh, I also jogged a total of 16 km this week.
What a week of frenetic hiking!  Can you tell I am almost headed back to work and not looking forward to it?

Sunday 13 May 2012

Mother's Day Hike in Durham Forest


Hiking Buddy and Better Half

This was my first Mothers Day, so my family took a walk through one of my favourite local trails —the Main Tract of Durham Forest in Uxbridge.  I also had new gear courtesy of my better half: Prana convertible hiking pants and a Deuter carrier.  I was comfy in my new duds and my girlie was super-duper comfy in her new carrier.  How do I know she was comfy, you ask?  Read on :o)

Highlights of my family hike on Durham Forest trails:



Yellow Bellwort

n  The trails are perhaps the most pristine in the Greater Toronto Area.   The flora includes fields and fields of white trillium, batches of purple trillium, a surprising show of yellow bellwort, and wild lily of the valley in bloom.  There are so many surprises.  There also will be fields of wild columbine in bloom within a few weeks.



n Lovely mix of deciduous and evergreens offers shade when you need it and then some awesome glimpses of the skies.


n No dog droppings in sight.  Unliek many other GTA trails, the dog walkers on this trail are either too few to mention or pick up after their pooches.  I only noticed this on the day after Mother's Day when I spotted doggie-doo along another GTA trail; it was a stark contrast.
Red Pines Line the Trail
nTall Red Pines—We walked for a good stretch of time heading east along the Spruce Loop. The double trails are deeply lined with majestic red pines 



n Wide trails with many trail-side logs for resting – and as she grows, I can foresee the need for resting increasing.


n  Happy Baby--Hiking with my girl usually means a good stretch of much-needed sleep from the movement and fresh air. 

Asleep in her New Deuter Carrier
n  New Deuter carrier  – This carrier is great for sleeping babies.  It took care of my sleeping babe by offering a super sun shade, a chin rest for her sleepy head and side rests for when she bobbed to the sides. 






 

Hiking parents should look out for:



This Way for the Spruce Loop
n  Cyclists –There are lots of cyclists on the trails here, as it is a multi-purpose trail.  Many of them are really fast, so it is best to take care and listen out for their bells. 

n  Poison Ivy —Watch out for the poison ivy, as there are heaps of it.  This would be okay if your kiddies are in a carrier, but it’s not the best if your young ones are on foot and eager to explore nature’s floral gifts.  Take care, too, of the poison ivy if you need to take a nature break.


Intersection of the White Pine and Maple Loops

n  Signage – If you depend on blazes to help you navigate the trails, this is a warning that there are very few blazes on the Main Tract trails.  All the trails (double and single) are connected and some of them criss-cross.  But, there are so many off-shoot trails, one might get confused.  My best advice is to stick to the wider, double trails.  There are, however, many signs at most intersections to indicate which trail you are on and the way back to the parking lot.  I’d suggest you take a map with you if you have one.  Here it is: http://www.lsrca.on.ca/pdf/maps/durham_forest.pdf


Monday 7 May 2012

Ten Things -- Why I Love the 'Seaton Trail'

The Seaton Trail is located in Pickering and follows the West Duffins Creek. It runs about 13 km from 3rd Concession near Brock Road in Pickering to Highway 7 at Green River.  There are a few trail entry points, but my favourite is at Whitevale in North Pickering.  Not only is it close to my home, but there are a few picnic tables, a shelter, a playground with swings and all, and even a field for soccer and such. 


Today's Hike

Today we walked with our hiker-buddy and her little girl.  We went from the Forestream entry point to Whitevale.  Although the weather was cloudy and the forecast threatened rain, it made for a great hiking experience -- no sunburn and no overheating.  There and back was about 9 km in all.
Checking out Duffins Creek from the Seaton Trail

Ten Reasons to Hike the Seaton Trail (between Whitevale and Clarkes Hollow)

1.  Good challenge for avid day hikers and trail runners. There are many hills in this portion. My calves ache even as I write this.  Find out more about the Seaton Trail at http://www.seatontrail.org/ .
2.  Family-friendly play area at Whitevale -- This area is maintained by the City of Pickering.  There is usually a portable toilet, but there are also picnic tables, benches, a swing set, a playing field, parking lot, and a good view of the creek.  This was a good rest area (see below) on my hike with Hiker Katy.  I can see this as an awesome picnic spot for us in the years to come.
3.  Super views of Duffins Creek from hill and river levels -- I even saw a turkey vulture the other day hanging out on a fallen tree overhanging the creek.  The bluffs created from erosion (booo!) provide dramatic vistas (yaaay!).
4.  Much less foot traffic compared to the other more popular trails in the region, so you are often alone in your serenity
5.  Plentiful flora -- fields of trillium, may apple, wild ginger, bloodroot and other native plants.  It it good that the Seaton Trail flora is respected and that there are few signs of foraging or of invasives.
6.  Many shady spots -- good deciduous and evergreen mix to provide shade and sun when you need it.  Only a couple meadows that are upland from the river.
7.  Multiple entry points -- Whitevale and Forestream/Clarkes Hollow are a couple. Check the map for more on that: http://www.seatontrail.org/maps/
8.  Location -- not too far from Toronto and just a few km from the 401.  Yet, you really have a sense that you are in a wilderness area.
9.  Many resting points on logs -- if you are interested in resting. Hah!  The TRCA is in very often managing the trails for step and bridge maintenance.  There is also a good management of fallen trees, so there are many dotting the sides of the trail.
10.  Ample parking at all entry points for this section of the trail.  Don't forget to carpool if you are expecting a large group.
Chilling with Hiker Katy before the return walk to Forestream Rd.

If you hike on the Seaton Trail,
or if you have questions about hiking on the trail,
 feel free to ask.


 

Sunday Morning Walk in Rouge Park

Today's weather forecast practically knocked on my bedroom window told me to get out of the house and on to the trails.  It was sunny blue skies from dawn to dusk.  I chose the Rouge Park as it was early enough to avoid the fair-weather crowds and I wanted an extra challenge of hills. 

Starting out at nine, we took two hours to tackle the Mast, Orchard and Vista Trails.  This is about 10 km in all, with road crossings and trail connections included.

Mast Trail
While I love the extra challenge of the hills on the Mast Trail, I can hardly get over how much erosion there has been over the last few years as a result of foot traffic.  I would recommend a walking stick and boots with good grip for walks on this trail with a baby.

Managing my way through the rolling rocks on the Mast Trail

Beare Wetland
After having crossed from the Mast to the Orchard Trail, I got to the Beare Wetlands and was thrilled to see a bale of Midland Painted Turtles sun-bathing and warming up on a log in the south pond.  What a treat.  A friend of of mine, Terry, with a birdwatching telescope just happened to be walking by, so I had an excellent close-up.  My photo is not as clear.


Painted Turtles basking in the sun at the Beare Wetlands

Saturday 5 May 2012

Easy Saturday Afternoon

Today began with a 5:30 a.m. baby wake-up call.  I went to the Scarborough Bluffs to birdwatch for a couple hours and then had an afternoon jog, so any hike today would have had to have been relaxing.

 

Altona Forest

We headed out in the late afternoon after a baby-nap to the low-intensity Altona Forest and hiked easily for about an hour or so.  Today was extra special, as it was the first day for trying out my 'Kelty TC 2.1 Carrier' (more on that in a future post).  With super blue skies and a mild 16 celsius, we were super comfortable throughout the walk.
<><> <><> <><>
Here we are heading out on the Altona Forest Trail.
One of the things I most like about Altona Forest is that it is super-close from my home to the trailhead and that it is less popular and therefore quieter than many other local trails. 



<><> <><> <><>
With baby on board at the back
At Lacey's Pond, we stopped to hear the American Toad at the NW pond.  With the wacky weather we have been having, I am thinking that it is an early breeding season.  We heard the high-pitched trill for a good 5 minutes after. 
<><> <><> <><>
The American Toad calling at the NW pond

Share with me: any fave spots close to your home?

Friday 4 May 2012

First Post Ever -- Over the past 9 months or so, I have been busy with my daughter on many of the local trails.  One of the reasons I like getting out with my girl is that she loves to check out the sky peeking between the trees, and most often, she falls asleep for up to a good 2 hours.

I'll be sharing some of your hikes (past ones, too) and other outdoor outings with you. I'll also share our fave spots, hiking gear bits, trail encounters, and whatever else comes our way.

Share with me your thoughts and even some of your hiking adventures.