V for Victory!

The saying "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" dates back to Chaucer (c. 1374) and is similar to the late fourteenth century French proverb: Qui onques rien n'enprist riens n'achieva (He who never undertook anything never achieved anything).

Even though I know my children better than anyone, sometimes it is still difficult to gauge how much to push them.  As part of family day weekend I wanted to do a family hike.  After much consideration I selected the Bufflehead Trail at Frontenac Provincial Park.  This hike was advertised as an 8 km adventure which seemed suitable for our family given Seamus' longest hike had been about 5 km and Liam's about 7 km.

Upon arrival at the park, we discovered that the parking lot closest to the trail head is currently closed requiring us to park 1.5 km away from the start of the loop.  All of a sudden our 8 km loop turned into an 11 km hike.  To proceed, or not?  I was pretty sure that we could do it but was a bit wary about the possibility of ending up with an exhausted? whiny? crying? too cold? child far from the end of a quite long trail.  In the end, we decided to try.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

It was awesome.  I am so glad that we did not give up before we started.  We hiked over bridges, past beaver dams, along "mountain" ridges, up and down hills, and through gorgeous birch forests.  

Ian, Liam and Seamus in the middle right.

Krystal bringing up the rear.

Up we go!

Krystal, Liam and Seamus on the "mountain top".

Made it to the top!

The view.

Seamus on the home stretch with chilly cheeks.

Both Ian and I ended up forfeiting our mittens to the boys
around the halfway point when their hands got too cold in their 
own snowy mittens. 

It took us 3h 45 min to complete 11.3 km.  We were tired but elated by the adventure.

Seamus' "V" for victory!

Ian and I are so incredibly proud of Liam and Seamus.  They stuck with it, putting one foot in front of the other, and did so, so well for a five and seven year old.  We all finished with tired legs but a great feeling of accomplishment.  It was a memorable family adventure (Alistair was there with us in spirit as it was too cold for him to accompany us in his carrier).  What a wonderful way to jump start Family Day Weekend 2021. V for victory, indeed.