Plans Change

For over 20 years, at this time of year, we were getting ready to head south to camp in places like Anastasia State Park on the Atlantic Ocean or go canoeing in alligator-infested creeks in the Ocala National Forest or do some hiking in the Everglades. In 2020, those adventures came to an end for various reasons including health issues, the pandemic and politics. Since then, we adventure closer to home.

The road was calling to us this morning, and we headed towards Stirling. All backroads.

First stop: Peter's Woods. We should have brought our snowshoes. Icers aren't of any use in snow half way up to your kneecaps. We made it to the trailhead, but decided we wanted to come out alive and turned around.

There are so many pretty creeks in our county.....

... with swaths of cattails....

... and splashes of Red Osier Dogwoods. Subtle winter colours.

The Trans Canada Trail crosses Godolphin Road just south of County Road 35. This is a rails-to-trails section, so by nature is very flat. Perfect for a couple of "old goats". We had no idea that until the 1950's there were flag stations along that rail line so farmers shipping their milk could flag the train down to load their milk cans for market.

This couple, who live nearby, told us that often they see creek otters in the water along the trail.

No creek otters for us today, but some lovely reflections in the pitch black water.

The terrain changed often and soon we were in a wooded area.

It was invigorating to be out in nature again.

We never did get to enjoy our destination, a restaurant called Farm Girl in Stirling. They were closed for renovations. But, across the street was the Firehall Café. 8 tables. 7 full. Lucky us! A table. It seems like more folks had the same idea as us. The one cook/server/cashier working did an amazing job. I have rarely seen a person work so hard and so cheerily. And.... the chilli was delicious!

I have shared this quote before. It is one of my favourites.

“I wanted a perfect ending.

Now I've learned, the hard way,

that some poems don't rhyme,

and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Life is about not knowing, having to change,

taking the moment and making the best of it,

without knowing what's going to happen next.

Delicious Ambiguity.”

Gilda Radner