Walking in the Woods

I think I always knew this but I confirmed it first-hand last weekend: walking in the woods is good for the soul.

I took a short weekend trip to Algonquin Provincial Park last weekend with my sister-in-law Sue and her sister Lois. We have been trying to plan this trip for a while; but they both have small children at home, so it's not that easy to get away. Things came together for this weekend, though, and it turns out that the last week in September is usually one of the best for viewing fall colours. We're all amateur photographers, so it all seemed meant to be.

The weather cooperated for the most part; but it was a rainy Sunday afternoon when we parked the car at the beginning of the Track & Tower Trail and set out. A gently rolling and varied path led us through the woods; over handmade bridges; close to the shore of Cache Lake, where we could see the remains of an old railroad trestle resting in the water; past old logging runs; and up a steep 2km climb to the top of an impressive hill. We walked into a clearing as the rain faded away and saw what looked like all of Algonquin laid out in front of us. Beyond an outcropping of rocks with a very Group of Seven-esque pine tree growing on it, there were miles of patchwork forests and lakes and rivers stretching to the horizon and beyond. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

The climbing, the sore muscles, the shortness of breath, and the rain were all worth it when I saw that view. We stood there for a half hour snapping pictures to pick up all the details we wouldn't remember and feeling the wind whip around our bodies.

That is good for the soul. I feel cleansed.