The Bruce Trail and pond water bring reflection

“Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.” – Buddha.

Through writing and running, I’ve often blindly fumbled my way through life’s ups and downs. On a recent trip to northern Ontario, I took a few steps on the meandering Bruce Trail and stumbled across a few moments of clarity. 

Life, water and forest trails seem to find their way through obstacles, taking the path of least resistance, seemingly led by some unseen hand. Like a leaf on the water, not long after Canada Day I found myself on my way to visit friends in Collingwood, Ont. Collingwood is a quiet and peaceful town on Georgian Bay, and crosses the famous Bruce Trail. The town of Collingwood also boasts a network of great fine gravel running paths that would make many runners happy who don’t need the greater challenge of the rugged Bruce Trail. 

Bruce Trail

The Bruce Trail cuts through the rugged and beautiful terrain of Ontario like a river, and is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada. It would be almost un-Canadian if we were to make more of a fuss over it, but I thought I’d give it shot, anyway. Everyone’s heard about the Appalachian Trail, and Canadians, myself included, flock to Europe or other places to run and challenge themselves. Too often we forget what’s in our backyard.

The idea for creating the Bruce Trail came about in 1959, out of a meeting between Ray Lowes and Robert Bateman, members of the Federation of Ontario Naturalists. Ray Lowes had a vision for a public footpath that would span the entire Niagara Escarpment, and incredibly, his vision was realized.

The Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest marked hiking trail in Canada, with over 440 kilometres of trails. The name of the trail is derived from the Bruce Peninsula and Bruce County, which the trail runs through. The trail is named after the county, which was named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, Governor General of the Province of Canada from 1847 to 1854.

Running up the steep dirt roads that wind up Blue Mountain in Collingwood, I found the trailhead for the Bruce Trail. Hopping over a fence, I ran in the summer rain, the wet grass and the sweet air, which became my friends for two hours that day. I have found a new friend in the Bruce Trail and hope to return and run more (maybe one day run all of it).

I feel right when running, even when I struggle with it, and trail running brings the quiet and life of nature and the occasional root and muddy spot.

Water

From one body of water to another. Mondays  are days to relax or run less. On a hot summer evening a few weeks later, on the famous Meech Lake, I found myslef swimming across to a small island with the water quietly moving aside as I made my slow way through its darkness. The sinking sun slowly kissed the lake with its still, warm glance, and a smile from a fellow swimmer made the day complete. The water soothed my tired legs.

I thought of how I had briefly turned down the running, as life’s waters became rough, but with a step onto a trail and the clarity that pond water and a summer swim can bring, I am back. Life is full of possibilities, twists, turns, new paths, streams to follow and life to live.

I realized that life is short and that running is truly part of me. Like water, it often soothes and awakens me. Maybe I am just feeling poetic?

On that note I leave you with the lyrics of a song that spoke to me.

 I wanna dance with you

I see a sky full of the stars that change our minds

and lead us back to a world we would not face 

My dance right now is in running shoes. Running has brought me back to me, and to the keyboard. I hope to share stories soon. Run on, friends. Life and trails are meant to be explored (and forgive my ramblings).

See you on the roads or in the blogosphere.

Have a story to share? I’d love to hear from you: runningwriter@hotmail.com.

I hope to return to Collingwood this fall to run a the Collingwood half-marathon and maybe sneak off later to the Bruce Trail.