Spencer Gorge/Webster's Falls Visit

On Saturday last my husband and I were looking for some manifestation of spring and found ourselves near Webster's Falls with our hiking shoes. This lovely area encompasses Spencer Gorge, Webster's Falls and Tews Falls and connects to the Bruce Trail. On our trek we found that connection and plan to explore it some other day.
We started up a trail new to us--the Tews Falls trail--and this was the first lovely view that rewarded all our climbing.

There is a handy viewing platform overlooking Tews Falls with this irresistible crook-armed tree.

Well, Ron couldn't resist, anyhow.


Back along the gorge trail someone had set up a camera on a rocky outcropping.


And this is the lovely Tews Falls, a controlled torrent of water dropping off the stone cliffs spraying everything so far below. Notice there was still lots of icy snow on the sunless side of the gorge.


We hiked back down the trail, through the parking lot, and over to Webster's Falls, about a 15 minute walk. First we viewed from above. There are people on the viewing platform in the distance.


On the path down to the falls a little girl ran past us to the frantic calls of her mother but she was chasing her hot pink balloon which rolled just out of her reach all the way down the curved gravelly trail. We crossed the bridge below and I sneaked in a picture before heading for the falls.


This time I took no pictures of the falls as we've done that so many times before. Instead we went right for the lower trail. Here is the steep stairway down. Not too bad, eh?


The second half looks like this! Yikes! (It reminded me of part of the Great Wall of China that we walked at Simatai with Beth about ten years ago.) But we made it to the bottom although I had a few misgivings along the way.


I put Ron in this picture to get some colour into this winter-killed scenery.


And he took me for the same reason. See the gorgeous Webster's Falls behind? And the last winter snow piles?


I noticed a little girl standing under this small waterfall delighting in the spray. I imagine it was pretty cold, but we Canadians are really ready for spring.


Part of the trail was washed out and I tested out this weathered plank someone had put across before I moved onto it.


We discovered that the river was so full just now that the trail ended not far beyond as the water covered it fully.
Back up top I caught this pair of elderly hikers in their bright jackets at the spot just before the waters pour over the falls.

This one is taken from the bridge above. I love the steps of water approaching the falls.

I zoomed in and caught this couple right near the falls.

We finally walked back up the trail toward the parking lot but not before I caught a few more pictures of the wonderful water and the people enjoying it. Nature just fills up my sorrowing soul sometimes.

You can find this lovely Ontario conservation area on the web via several links but I have given you one here. Enjoy!

Just Where Were We?

On our cruise trip we flew to San Juan, stayed a couple of days, and then boarded Serenade of the Seas. we set sail about 10 pm that Saturday night and each day woke up in a differnet place. Pretty cool! Here is a map where you can see the islands: Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados and back to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The shallower water of the Caribbean was about the colour of this map but as it got deeper a little darker. Very beautiful in all shades. I have done a collection of my favorite shots for this blog. Enjoy!

This was the trip of a lifetime in many ways and there were a few teary eyes as the crew did their final farewell on the final night.

St. Thomas, The Virgin Islands

We woke up Sunday morning to a steady ship and knew that we had docked at St. Thomas. All those shops were out there just waiting for us, with their free enticements to get us in the door. Ron and I left the ship midmorning and taxied to the delightful shopping district. Shops were brightly painted and looked well-to-do, a tribute to all those shoppers who had come before us.

We found this delightful alley and headed in.

Of course there were jewelry shops opening onto it as well.

Ron got a little tired and left me to shop while he found a sitdown place. Don't you just love his jaunty hat? Here is where I found him four hours later. No! I'm kidding! I wish I could afford to shop in all those gem stores for that long but it's not so much fun just looking.

Finally we found the back side of the shops and the bay around which we would wind back to the ship. A lovely first day!

All Aboard!

As our ship steamed out of San Juan harbour, this beautiful old Spanish style church was set against the Caribbean background.

In our inside stateroom, modestly priced, we were met by this lovely king-size bed, a comfortable loveseat facing the tv, a desk, plenty of cupboard space and a pristine bathroom--small but well designed with places to put all our things and more.

We sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, a beautifully appointed ship, for our first cruising adventure. We met our cruising mates--my sister's family--and headed for the 11th floor cafeteria style dining hall. This lovely array of carved watermelons met us at the entrance. Wonderful!

Of course cruises are mostly about eating so the next picture is my sister and my husband at the dinner table in the evening. We had full service there and every night's menu was an adventure with lots of choice. The fruit soups were spectacular.

Across the table Chris and Mark patiently posed for their aunt's camera. Great young men, they are!

Brian and I are the photographers so they put us together to get a picture of us. At the last moment he planted a big smooch on my surprised cheek. Fun, fun, fun.

We went to bed around 10:30 that first night and with no windows and no clock didn't wake up till 8 a.m. Amazing. Next post I'll talk about the island stops.