Bruce Trail - Bruce's Caves to Wiarton

Today we drove to Bruce's Caves and hiked back to the campsite. Then drove back to Bruce's caves to pick up the car.

It was grey and cool for most of the hike, very comfortable.

We usually avoid the side trails as we have enough hiking with just doing the Bruce Trail, but were curious about the caves so walked the extra kilometre (in and out)

The caves did not disappoint. They were large and formed into two huge arches, formed by an ancient sea.

The floor was covered in rubble from the roof.

We played with taking pictures

and then walked back to the parking lot to join the access trail to the Bruce Trail.

This section was rocky and we had to watch for loose stones and tree roots.

The woodpeckers had had a field day with this tree making rectangular holes?

Fall colours were infrequent.

Then we were on to the road for 2 1/2 kms. This is Himalayan Balsam according to Nicola's App.

We turned off the road and over a stile into

meadows of milkweed, golden rod and monarchs

next to Wiarton Airport.

The sign at the entrance to the airport advertised "Non stop flights from Toronto". On looking it up I found that they fly out of Billy Bishop Airport, cost about $150 and take about 45 minutes. As we passed the main terminal we saw a plane with CANADA marked on its side and 3 big black SUVs lined up. A workman further down the trail said that Justin Trudeau had flown in. We looked that up and he was coming in to an event in Owen Sound. Sigh, no photo bomb.

The next section was very overgrown and we were hot so stopped for cheese, trail mix and coconut water. That gave us a boost.

Then Nicola got a surprise. Direct quote "You've got to be kidding me". She hates heights.

Although steep and slippery they were solid and we both negotiated them with care.

The final kilometre or so was through Wiarton

and ended at Bluewater park and the campsite.

We finished our snacks sitting by the water, drove back to get the car, showered and then sat outside in the occasional sun to knit and rug hook. We had hiked about 9km and took about 3 hours.

Had a glass of wine while watching a small group of sailboats tack back and forth, set their sails and then sail up the sound towards Georgian Bay.