No one has ever suggested I plan too small, but this time even I am in awe of the adventure we are about to undertake.
“We” includes my long-time friend and hiking partner, Helen. Since our retirement 6 years ago, we have hiked almost 1,200 km together, completing both the Bruce Trail and Oak Ridges Moraine Trail End-to-End. Both of these trails are in Southern Ontario and reasonably accessible from our homes.
However, we have been challenged for a while trying to decide what our next adventure would look like. We kicked around the idea of the Camino de Santiago, the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Coast Trail, … but nothing ever really landed on two feet.
Until now.
In preparation for Canada’s 150th birthday this year, there has been considerable effort made to link together the vast network of recreational trails that exist across the country. With 91% of the trail complete and over 21,000 km of connected trail, we finally heard the siren song of the Great Trans-Canada Trail.
It is billed as the longest recreational trail in the world, and when fully connected, it will be 24,000 km long including urban, rural, wilderness, and waterway trails.
There is nothing quite like an audacious goal to get me excited.
At our current ages of 70 (Helen) and 60 (me), this goal includes a healthy helping of hopeful thinking, but why not? Life should be a grand adventure.
Unlike our journey on the Bruce Trail, it is not our intention to start at one end of the country and work our way sequentially across to the other end. Nor do we intend to walk the entire distance. Whenever and wherever possible, our plan is to bicycle.
I’ve been pouring over maps the past several weeks and much to my dismay, neither the Bruce Trail or the Oak Ridges Moraine count as mileage on the Great Trail.
So far I’ve been able to identify only a modest 32 km of trail we have previously walked and will not be repeating for this journey. At 0.15% of the trail, it’s not even a blip on the map yet, but that number will start to tick upwards over the months – and years – ahead.
Our adventure starts next week. It will be epic.
My Life Lived Full 
YOU ARE AMAZING!! It’s women like you two that inspire me every single day to live my most adventurous life. I can’t wait to follow along as you undertake this journey!
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Thank you so much … but we aren’t feeling very amazing right now. We’re currently in a serious pout about our last outing and trying to figure out what it means to us going forward.
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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You crazy woman (said in the voice of René from ‘Allo ‘Allo!, but with love)! Why don’t you tackle China, while you’re at it? 😀 If 32 km is 0.15%, I can’t even picture the entirety. I don’t live with such distances in my head, my country of origin is just over 300 km lengthwise. But I knew something big was coming since you said at the start that even you were in awe. 😉 You rolemodel, you!
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LOL!! Omg – thanks for this morning’s belly laugh.
I know what you’re saying. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around it and the audacity of 2 geriatric women to even consider setting it as a goal.
Unfortunately it appears I spoke too soon. The weather turned quite ugly this week and we’ve been house bound. Not an auspicious start
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Oh, too bad. But there is still China… 😉 Seriously though, way to go!
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The way I figure it, trekking across Canada will likely take the rest of our lives. That means China will have to wait until the next one 😉
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Applause to you both for even thinking about such an adventure. 🙂
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Thanks Judy. If nothing else, we’re ambitious 🙂
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That’s a long way. Moments of elation, times of trouble and some of it could b quite boring. Not an easy task, even when done in stages. I wish you well and look forward to hearing about it.
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It sounds like you’ve done a lot of long distance hiking / cycling and know the realities well! There will inevitably be the days I’ll wonder what on earth we’re doing and why we thought it was a good idea 🙂
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That sounds like so much fun. Can’t wait to hear more about it! The Appalachian and the Camino are both on my future radar screen. 🙂 Now I’ll have to look at the Canadian one too. 🙂
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The Appalachian is rugged and more in line with the kind of hiking I like to do.
I’m guessing the Trans-Canada will be predominantly ‘recreational’ trail which means it’s going to be tame – hence my desire to use bikes as much as possible. I’ll get to find out how close to the mark I am 😉
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Being part of your road crew for a section of your adventure sounds like fun. If you make your way to Christian Island in the summer (when I’m officially retired) I’d be happy to drive you back to the city. You could stay for the night, have a swim in Georgian Bay, enjoy a meal, etc.. I have so many questions about your adventure I don’t know where to begin. How would you get to your farther destinations, i.e. the east coast and the west coast, if you’re only doing small portions at a time? Will you be camping overnight or will all your trips be day trips? Can’t wait to read about your adventures. By the way I’m serious about being part of your road crew. Not sure how much having my father move in with us will impact on my personal time but I can dream too.
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Carol, that is so generous of you!! I am humbled and overwhelmed by the support and encouragement so many people like you have shown for this adventure!
I hadn’t thought of this as more than a mention on my blog and perhaps an occasional story if I thought something was interesting. People have asked me so many questions, now I’m thinking another post is necessary 🙂
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Yes, please don’t keep us hanging. We want to know when and where you are going.
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Will do. That’s a promise 🙂
As a matter of fact, I think we’re going to be in your neck of woods tomorrow for a walk – you guessed it, on the Trans-Canada.
We’re going to be heading west from Marie Curtis Park. It likely won’t be more than a couple of hours – assuming this wind dies down!!
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I hope you’re not walking on Lakeshore Blvd. It’s not very pretty but there is a trail south of there that goes through some parkland. We often ride our bikes through there and sometimes we end up in Port Credit and have lunch or a snack by the river.
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Unfortunately I think a lot of the Trans-Canada will fall in the category of ‘not pretty’. At least that was our experience with the Oak Ridges Moraine.
My preference is the ruggedness of the Bruce Trail rather than ‘urban’ or ‘rural’, but it’s all an adventure in experiencing our environment 🙂
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Is there are word for bigger than epic? You will need new vocab for this endeavor. I drove to Alaska once and that took forever! Excited to see your journey.
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The sheer magnitude of this goal sounds nothing short of unrealistic. That’s ok – it’s part of the attraction 🙂
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Wow! Epic! What an adventure. I’ve added you both to my (very small) list of heroes.
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LOL! Neither one of us feel like heroes today. With a -15C windchill this morning, and a snowstorm forecasted for later today, we’ve abandoned our plans for today’s hike.
Nope, no thank you. We know when it’s time to stay indoors where it’s safe and warm 😉
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Smart heroes! 😉
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WOW…how awesome!!! Helen, you amaze and inspire me! ❤
Joanne, if you can manage…please do keep a map that updates us on the sections of the trail you have covered!
Woo Hoo!!!
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Thanks 🙂
I’m a bit of a statistics nerd, so I tend to keep track of things like that. It looks however that we aren’t off to an auspicious start. In checking the weather this week, it is going to be outright frightful and we’ve decided to postpone our first hike. Boo.
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Boo…but smart! 😉
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That’s such an amazing goal – good for you!! It’s always great to be striving toward something. A very ambitious goal that will keep you busy for years and how fun!! Good luck! Can’t wait to read about your adventures.
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Thanks 🙂
It is such a big, overwhelming goal, I’ve already started to break it down into smaller ‘bite’sized’ pieces. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s very exciting!
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Joanne, I am thrilled about your new adventure! and I wonder how I will ever keep up. Have you considered a separate blog or page of your blog to post to? I’d love to somehow keep up with your travels.
Have you considered how long it might take? meaning do you hope to cover some each week or month?
Finally, if visitors happen upon you along the way, might they be able to join in? (hint, hint)
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I’m so thrilled by the enthusiasm people like you have been expressing about our audacious goal … including a desire to join us.
To that I reply, yes! It would be fun to include guest voyageurs on our adventure 🙂
I started to write a very long response to your comment and decided I should keep it simple 🙂
Basically, I haven’t decided yet whether I will be blogging about this – except occasionally on my current blog – or whether I will start a new blog and detail our adventure.
If I decide on the latter, I’ll post about it on my current blog.
We haven’t set a annual goal yet, but the approach we’ve taken in the past is to chip away at the trail every week with our annual target in mind.
At a high level, I’m guessing it’ll take 12 years, but of course it will be affected by our ongoing good health, both physically and financially.
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[…] from an injury complete with wonderful video that is a brief capture of her story. Next I read Joanne’s post about her plan along with her friend Helen to travel all the wonderful Canadian tracks, all […]
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Go Helen and Joanne! I just read Sue’s blog and watched her ‘Born to Move’ video and now I read about your two off on an adventure like this! Life should be a grand adventure. Happy adventuring you two. I am totally inspired! I love this blogging thing and the strong, adventurous ‘can do’ women I have met!
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That’s what I love about blogging too 🙂
We find kindred spirits and we feed off each other’s energy and enthusiasm.
Challenging our limits and stepping outside our comfort zones isn’t for everyone. Yet other people – like us – need it. It’s what excites us about getting up in the morning 🙂
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so this is what retirement means, I can’t wait 🙂
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Retirement is whatever you choose to make it … and yes, it’s wonderful 🙂
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Sounds amazing, Joanne! You go, girls (women.) At first I thought you were going to do that entire thing at one very, very long go. This will give you something to look forward to for many years.
janet
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Now that would be an amazing adventure, to do it in one long go!! Unfortunately, it’s not very realistic … assuming one thinks this venture is even remotely realistic to begin with 😉
But – as you said – it will keep us focused for a VERY long time.
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If you haven’t already left, here is my biggest HUG to you both and sincerely good wishes for travel mercies and safe doses of wondrous moments!! You go, Helen and Joanne!
Neither of you look like the ages you stated so keep on drinking that fountain of youth! ❤
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Thanks Robin 🙂
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I will think about your walking and keep you both in my prayers, Joanne.
Enjoy!! ❤
I was a klutz and dropped a heavy tote on my foot last Friday, so am now realizing how "easy (sudden)" one can have an accident.
Nothing's broken, just swollen and sore.
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Yikes. Glad to hear there’s no break, but hobbling along on a painful foot is not fun 😦
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This is awesome, Joanne. You are my adventure hero! I am so excited for you and Helen and it’s giving me the itch to plan a few biking escapades with my neighbor this summer. I expect many wonderful reports and beautiful photos from the Canadian trail in the coming months. Just remember to be safe and stay safe. (I so want to be retired and inviting myself to your fun. Maybe in the coming years we can find a way to meet and spend some time on a bike trail.)
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I would love that!!
My new bike is for trail riding to accommodate the multi-terrain I expect we’re going to encounter.
That means I now have a bike and we could ride together on the trails 🙂
… and we’re going to be out there for not just months … it’ll be YEARS!!
I just did the math on ONE section of Ontario and it’s over 800 km / 500 miles!
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500 miles? Wow. That one would definitely take me years to ride. I tend to average 25 miles in one ride, maybe 30 and never more than two days in a row. Not sure I would keep up with you gals…
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I’m hoping we will be able to cover at least 35 miles at a time. The challenge is that we will only be able to use one vehicle which means every trip will be an out-and-back. Instead of making progress at the rate of (say) 50 miles a trip, we’ll in fact be only covering half of that distance on the trail.
…. unless I can dream up a solution, or find someone who is willing to be our road crew.
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Sounds like a massive undertaking but I sure do love a good challenge. So cool of you both to go for it.
Let me know when you get to covering the stretch of the trail near here, we’ll be happy to keep you company while you walk or ride 🙂
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I am incredibly impressed… not surprised! Go for it… keep safe and have a blast!
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Thank you. At our age, the biggest thing we worry about is taking a bad fall and hurting ourselves. I’m expecting that this journey will not be as rugged with a risk of injury as previous ventures, but having said that, I’m aware that’s usually when one lets down their guard and gets injured.
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My goodness, you are an ambitious woman! What you are about to undertake sounds insurmountable to me, but clearly you’ve got this goal in your sights so it’ll happen. Be safe, be happy. Be.
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I think that’s the best mantra …. “Be”. It’s guided me more than a few times in my life 🙂
There is no question that this appears insurmountable and it would have been easy to not bother with it. Given the math, the odds aren’t in our favour … but we don’t have anything to lose by trying 🙂
The thing about starting ANYTHING with Helen is that she’s like a dog with a bone. She doesn’t let it go. There were so many times while hiking the Oak Ridges Moraine that I wanted to quit. It was just so uninspiring. But she dragged my sorry ass out there time after time because ‘we finish what we start’.
I’ve really gone out on a limb this time by agreeing to undertake this venture!! If we fail, it won’t be from lack of trying.
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Oh, I think you’ll succeed. And probably have a year’s worth of blog-worthy stories to tell because of it. Ever onward, my dear.
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Oh Ally – it will be YEARS! We’ll likely still be chipping away at it for the rest of our lives 😉
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I am in awe. Hats off to you and Helen!
Best way to spend a retirement 😀
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It didn’t take me long to discover that my best days were the ones I spent outdoors in nature. The way I look at it, I have MANY great days ahead to look forward to 🙂
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I am in total awe and admiration!!! Nice to be witness to strong and courageous women enjoying life and open to new challenges and adventures. What could be better? Can’t wait to read about it…..!
Peta
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Thanks Peta. That’s so true – what could be better than embracing life?! 🙂
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Wow Joanne (and Helen)!! As Cheryl said, we were inspired by you two to take on the Bruce Trail but for this challenge we may not follow in your impressive footsteps😳 As we approach the finish line of the Bruce this year with a bit of sadness at it coming to an end, I can fully understand your desire to keep on moving! Good for you – so excited by your plans and look forward to following along…through your blog!
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Seeing the end of a long distance journey like the Bruce is really sad. I know how you’re going to feel at the end and I sympathize.
This new adventure is SOOO big, there is little risk that we will see the end of it any time soon.
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I can relate to feeling a bit empty after completing the Bruce. Im actually finding blogging about it almost as exciting. But with Canada’s 150 you might want to consider hiking all the local national parks. Its my personal goal for this year due to the free entry. There are just five in Ontario.
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Great minds think alike 🙂 We actually added them to our to-do list this year and hope to get to 4 of the 5 in Ontario. It was a reasonable assumption that reaching Pukaskwa on Lake Superior would be a stretch, but the other 4 are doable.
A few weeks ago we were at Point Pelee.
Good luck – I hope you make it as well 🙂
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Now you have me excited!! I can’t wait to read about this journey! (You may have even planted a seed about a potential hike for my husband and I to consider…we are always on the look out for our next hiking adventure)!
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There is a lot of trail at your end of the country. You know the saying … a journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step. Or in this case – 13,000 miles 😉
What do you have to lose? It’s a long term project that will keep you focused for YEARS 🙂
… and we can compare notes 😉
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Epic it will certainly be, Joanne, and I can see you enjoying every second of it!
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Well, I’ve had enough experience to know there will be days when it won’t be fun … but the sense of accomplishment after each day on the trail is incomparable 🙂
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Wow, it appears that you’ve found your muse… and he/she kicked you in your tush! What an adventure. Do you have any idea how long it will take you? I assume that you’ll be saving many (all?) of the parts for spring, summer, and fall months, so it could take several years. I am so excited to follow along!
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We still have a few guidelines to work out – like how often we’ll hike/ride, what our minimum time or distance will be, etc.
There’s no question it will take years. At a very high level, I guessed on average a year per province (obviously some more, some less) … 10 provinces, 2 territories … that’s 12 years.
Pretty scary sounding, isn’t it?!
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Maybe a little scary, but what an adventure! I bet there would be a few bloggers who might want to join you along the way.
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I’m amazed at the number of people who have expressed interest in joining us for a few miles. I had no idea it would capture the imagination of so many people. I’m used to Helen and I being outliers 🙂
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I’m sure it will be quite the adventure! Bravo!
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Thanks Jan 🙂
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Oh, yes–EPIC is most definitely the word! You amaze me. Just be careful of, you know……your shoulder.
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Falls are bad enough when road riding, it’s even worse when on a trail and potentially isolated.
Being careful will be a MAJOR priority for both of us.
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You guys are heroes! That’s quite an undertaking. You might not complete the whole thing, but I’m sure you’ll make a dent in it. Good luck to you both.
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Thanks Dan. That’s exactly our attitude. One of two things will happen – (1) we’ll eventually finish and it will be a HUGE accomplishment, or (2) at some future date we are forced to stop but we’ll have all the experiences we gathered up to that point.
Either way, I see it as a win 🙂
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Wait, what?! You’re doing an epic, grandiose adventure, but not the whole trail… so what are you doing then?! I was shocked, and now confused!
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Wait, what?! What do you mean I’m not doing the whole trail?
There are portions of the trail we have done already on previous hikes. Those parts we aren’t re-doing … we’re considering them done. ie – the Don Valley trail to the Humber, Woodbine and Cherry Beach, Thomson Park.
Unfortunately that part is really, really small.
Does that make sense now?
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Cannot wait to read all about your journeys! Bravo!!!!
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Thank you! There are a ton of logistics we have to work out, but we still have hundreds and hundreds of kilometers to get through before we have to start worrying about cross-country travel! 🙂
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Oh EPIC indeed! I’ll be here in my chair rooting you both on! WOW! Can’t wait for the images, and tales to rolling in. Be safe out there!!
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All I have to remember on my bike is to keep the rubber side down 😉
This is one of those crazy goals that will keep things interesting for us for a very long while!
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…and fit! 🙂 I wish I was going with you!
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I have to keep the hounds from hell at bay for as long as possible. I hope in 10 years I’m as healthy as Helen is now 🙂
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Me too! 🙂
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Oh my goodness! How exciting! I look forward to long trails when it’s just The Mister and I again, but I don’t think I’ll be crossing the width of our continent! So ambitious! Very exciting! 😀
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Wowie! You don’t do things by half do you? Wishing you every success with the adventure. Makes the 630 miles around the Cornish coast seem very small in comparison… and I’m sure I won’t be able to do that.
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I eyed many of the trails in the UK – including the Cornish coast. Our challenge is living so far away.
Having said that – Canada is going to be a serious challenge.
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Nice to have a buddy to do it with 🙂
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… and therein lies the biggest challenge, Jude – having a buddy with the same interest and drive!
Helen is a HUGE inspiration for me. She’s the one who kicks my butt into action.
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I need a Helen 🙂
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Everyone needs a Helen 🙂
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Indeed. Now where to find one… ?
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Woo hoo.Epic trail blazers .:-D 😀 😀 A stunning idea. Of course, we’ll hear all about it, right?
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Thanks Tess – I’m not sure how much I will be blogging about this adventure. It depends on whether there are any interesting stories along the way.
bwahahahahaha! Of course there will be interesting stories. Who am I trying to fool?!! 😀
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There will always be interesting stories around you, Joanne. 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Holy Moly! Let me scrape my jaw up from my lap. You too don’t do anything small, do you? Epic is the right word. It sounds like amazing fun, Joanne. I’m excited for you. Safe traveling, take lots of pictures, and have an amazing time. I can’t wait to hear. 🙂
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I have visions of us – years from now – still chipping away at it. Two ancient geriatrics with this crazy idea that it’s doable on a part-time basis 🙂
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They’ll make a movie about the two of you. OR you could write a book about your adventures!
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omg! yeah! … somehow I doubt it 🙂
… although when I think about the potential storyline – 2 delusional geriatric women think they can traverse the country under their own power – it does have potential 😉
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😀
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Wow! How fabulous is that? I am cheering for riding in Alberta. Not sure if I could keep up with you but at the least will come to cheer. Looking forward to the details ahead! Bravo I say!
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Sue, I have every confidence that it would be US who can’t keep up with YOU! 🙂
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All I can say is OMG. You two are such an inspiration. This is the year Carol and complete the Bruce trail – inspired by you and Helen. Congratulations on your next adventure and can’t wait to follow your progress.
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I’m really excited for you and Carol … not to mention, flattered, if we inspired you!!
I’m hoping that at some point this year we can meet up for a hike together 🙂
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If you dream, dream big. If you are ready for an adventure, make it worth the while. I wish I could join you. Do you have a time frame in mind?
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That’s right, Bridget. There’s no point in pussyfooting around with maybes. Think big and bold.
Right now we are focusing on the southern portion of Ontario. I’m hoping we can make a big dent in it this year.
This will take years – probably the rest of our lives 🙂
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Happy Trails to you!
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Thanks 🙂 I have enough experience under my belt to know there will be many days when it will hurt and I’ll wonder why on earth we are out there.
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This sounds awesome Joanne! Perhaps you & Helen might like a 3rd wheel for a km or 2😉🚴♀️
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We’d be happy to have you along 🙂
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Best to you and Helen as you begin this journey. Will look forward to your colorful stories along the way!!!!
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hahaha! I hope that will be ‘colourful’ as in, funny and entertaining – not ‘colourful’ as in, a serious amount of swearing was involved 😉
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COLORFUL as in your word choice!
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When you plan something you really go all out Joanne 😀 Make sure to bring plenty of Wheaties “The Breakfast of Champions” with you both on your endeavor. I could see your picture on the Wheaties box now 👍
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Why just dip your toes in the water, Joe, when you can dive right in! 🙂
This is so big, it sounds foolish and impractical … but we might as well reach for the stars!
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I agree Joanne 🙂
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…and I’m sure you will tell us all about it. Can’t wait!
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I might … a little bit 😉
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I LOVE this!! (As you know, I’m fond of an audacious goal myself.) Isn’t it actually a good thing that there’s not much of the trail that you have to repeat? It’s all new and exciting territory. Gosh, wish I could do it too! And I’m glad you chose this over the Camino. Every man and his dog seems to be doing that these days. This is a new and epic journey just for the two of you. You both rock!!
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Thanks Heather. Yes, you are clearly an audacious goal kind of person yourself!
The Camino didn’t really appeal to me either. It was the one I was least interested it. I’m glad we settled on a goal that’s at “home”.
When I do the math on this one, it will be a huge stretch as to whether we can actually finish it in our remaining lifetimes.
But what do we have to lose by trying? 🙂
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Well, if it takes you a long time that’s good. It gives me time to get over there and join you for some of it. 😉
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Alright!! It’s a date 🙂
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Hence the new bike… You’ve clearly thought this through. 🙂 Good luck to you both, you intrepid, inspiring pair 🙂
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You connected the dots on the new bike! 🙂
It’s currently -17C with the windchill and it will be bone-chilling for the next several days, so it will be a long while yet before we will be on bicycles.
That’s ok – we can walk 🙂
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You see, that’s just the kind of attitude that gets you labelled intrepid and inspiring. ‘-17’s okay, we can walk.’ I used to enjoy donning my balaclava for a cycle (caused a little consternation if I had to stop at the lights outside the post office) but that was for the carefree warmth of -1 or 2 not 17. And don’t undervalue how inspiring you are. I used your previous adventures as motivation for getting out of the front door on ropey head days, while much less frequent still occur. So a big thank you and a big written hug for luck 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Phil 🙂
Those were kind words and when combined with a hug … well, it doesn’t get much better 🙂
My experience has been that getting out the front door is the hardest part 😉
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When you’re lost on a trail and wandered into a field of cows with the only escape a big bound over an electrified fence (if it’s happened once it can happen again 😉 ) it’s good to know you have support from near and far 🙂
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I never occurred to me that it might happen again.
…. maybe I should carry a bear horn. That should work on cows, don’t you think? 😉
https://www.amazon.ca/SABRE-Sport-Safety-Horn-Range/dp/B01AT3RFXW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489282625&sr=8-2&keywords=bear+horn
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I would have thought it would work on anything with functioning ears (albeit they may have functioning issues after a blast) but cows…they seem so…cow ish, unpredictable, scary… Sorry, I’m supposed to be filling you with confidence…
You’ll be fine. Lightening doesn’t strike twice 🙂
Ps careful of lightening 😉
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LOL!!!!! 😀
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wow how exciting! looking forward to seeing your travels
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Thank you. Can you tell I’m excited and ready to finally get started?! 🙂
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Excellent!!!! I look forward to reading more and more about this as I live vicariously through you and Helen once again.
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Thank you. We’ll be happy to have a cheering section in the background 🙂
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That’s so exciting! Epic journey, indeed! Have a wonderful time and enjoy the Great Trans-Canada Trail. Here’s hoping the weather cooperates. *fingers crossed*
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It will be a while before it’s warm enough to take out the bikes and hopefully this cold snap will end soon.
As long as we don’t get dumped with snow!!
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That’s for sure. Can you believe the weather today? Sheesh!
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Brrrr – not funny {shiver}
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THIS IS AWESOME! Happy (and safe) trails. I am so pleased for you.
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