By Susan Ellis of Key Life Journeys

By now you will understand that I am a traveler. It is not about notches on my belt to amass great numbers. It is a yearning inside of me to experience what this world holds. I am fortunate in that I can do it. There will come a time when I won't physically be able to do so. I want no regrets when that time comes. While I still long to learn from my experiences I will keep providing myself with the opportunity.

Here I want to describe one day. A perfect day. It was in late May of this year and my friend Tammy and I were spending a week at a timeshare apartment in Thornbury Ontario, on the shores of Georgian Bay. What divides Georgian Bay from the rest of Lake Huron is the Bruce Peninsula stretching north with a strip of water separating it from Manatoulin Island - a two hour ferry ride. From Niagara Falls in the south to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula is an exposed limestone ridge. The Niagara Escarpment stretches for 800kms (500miles). This is one of 13 UNESCO World Bioshere Reserves in Canada and hiking trails run its full length. There are a variety of habitats from rare alvars to dense forests and clean lakes. On the Bruce Peninsula there are over 40 varieties of orchids and 20 kinds of fern.

On this perfect blue skied day we headed to Bruce Peninsula National Park, a place I had never visited. Our trail led us from Cypress Lake through cedar forests to the coast.

Gradually we rose to where cliffs towered 40 metres above the blue waters of Georgian Bay. 400 million years ago the area was under a tropical sea teaming with life. Their remains were compressed into limestone. As the waters receded, Magnesium was absorbed into the rock making a harder Dolomite limestone. Often this forms "caprock" below which the softer limestone erodes, giving us today's breathtaking vistas.

Cliff hugging ancient white cedar, many several hundred years old, emphasize the strength and endurance that life must undergo to cope with changing environments. Some are only 5 ft tall. But these hardy trees have survived because of positioning. The logger's blade and the forest fire have not reached their location.

Columbines and violets found a place to live on rocky cliffs at Indian Head Cove.

It was the intensity of the colours that held my attention. The clear water showed sunken slabs of fallen rock, the water worn white cobble stone beach reflected light. The natural sculptures all around, ever changing, ever being changed. There is a trapped fallen trunk of an ancient cedar; testament to survival and completion of this journey of life. It is an image transforming; the evidence of impermanence. Yes another reminder that it is folly to hold on to the past. This moment is what exists, and only this.

I chose to be uplifted by the sight and carefully climb down to sea level along the Bruce trail to the next bay. It was a test of my physical stamina. I took it slowly savoring the view. It meant climbing over huge chunks of rock engraved with evidence of past life.

I crossed massive flat areas of limestone etched with circular depressions. This erosion called pitting is cause by the acids in the water dissolving the rock.

The trail headed back inland passing Marr Lake and the journey was over. Our skin glowed with the effects of the first warmth in sunlight this year. We were filled with the fresh oxygenated breezes blowing off the lake. We had not met any of the less friendly inhabitants of the park - the Black bear and the Massasauga rattlesnake. It was a perfect day.

I look again at these photos and I live it all again. One day I won't physically be able to ramble over rocks. That’s what memories are for. I will bring them back to be part of this moment again.