Ganaraska # 7

As I continued my solo hike along the Ganaraska trail I was amazed by the response of both people in my social media group and by complete strangers to my adventure. I was overwhelmed by the support, which I was going to need to encourage me for the next week. I left the Ganaraska forest and headed north along mostly country roads and railway trails. This is very difficult country, with frequent large hills including ski hills. At one point I was startled to notice an extrememly large Buddha hanging out in an empty field. I still have no idea why this giant was placed here.

Once past the Oak Ridge Moraine I entered an area hard hit by drought, and the spots I had planned to collect water from where now caked mud. On the trail from Lindsay to Fenlon Falls cows were breaking through fences in search of water. I could relate, as I was so thirsty that I was considering the ditch as a potential water source. The heat was incredible, and my pace had slowed to a crawl. Just to add to my misery, I now had another foot issue on top of my toenail about to fall off. I had developed a blister, and not just a nice little blister. This was the monster of all blisters. It had formed under the calluses on the bottom of my right foot, and was now the size of a lemon. Every step was agony. I was unable to even pop this blister as it was under those hardened calluses. Yes I know, you should never pop a blister because you may introduce infection, but sometimes, well, sometimes you just have to; if only I could. I was also taping down my toenail that was detaching from the nail bed. I was now walking at a pace that was more limp than hike. This was really a miserable time for me and made the hike more a test of my mental endurance than an enjoyable experience. I would spend my 14-16 hr hiking days barely able to stand, and repeating “just keep swimming” to myself. Often I thought of giving up, but would remind myself, “what are you going to do? You have no other way to get home than to keep on going”.

Fenelon Falls provided a much needed distraction. This area has a beautiful and vibrant waterfront, and allowed me a much needed rest for a "real" bathroom and a chance to freshen up. It is also where I was waylaid for almost an hour by children wanting to try to lift my back and many, many people wanting to help me out; offering food, shelter and a ride to anyplace I needed. This community would be the most engaging and supportive of a total stranger I had come across. I was so encouraged and embraced by these strangers that they have left a lasting impression on me. Thank you.

Onward I would stumble until Buller Road where I met with a handsome man in his very nice vintage car who drove me toMoore's falls. Here I would have to declare defeat; I just could not deal with the pain any longer and called my husband to come get me. I felt defeated, humiliated, and embarrassed. I spent two days at home to recuperate and pulled that dang dead toenail off and had that giant blister finally pop. It was time to decide if I was going to continue. I was so close, less than a week and I would be done, but I was not sure if I could do it. The Queen Elizabeth II was my next section of trail. Three to five days of swamp and Canadian Shield, no cell signal, and trails marked as so dangerous that it should never be hiked alone. Well, why not? Bring it on!