A new cardio post . . . say wha????
Yes, I have officially recovered enough from my gallbladder surgery, that I am allowed to get my fat a$$ moving once again. I’m still not allowed to teach spinning for another couple of weeks, as it falls into the “high intensity” category, but thankfully, I have my friends: Paul has been walking me at night, and Gretchen has been walking me at lunch. I sound like a dog . . . I’m sure it’s a chore!
Yankee Canuck Loop @ Premier Lake Provincial Park
This weekend, I was ready to try something more than walking around the block . . . so with Paul’s encouragement (force . . . I’m not very motivated these days) we went up to one of our favourite spots . . . Premier Lake!
It is absolutely beautiful . . . the lake is a large, long, pristine piece of blue. As soon as I first got a glimpse of the lake, I immediately regretted not bringing my bathing suit with me! It honestly didn’t even occur to me, as we haven’t been anywhere near bathing suit weather.
Oh. No. Bathing suit season is upon us. Must. do. more. cardio!
Yankee Canuck Trail Hike is about a 6 kilometre loop. The first bit of elevation gain is torturous (if you’re out of shape like I am . . . but don’t be discouraged!), but after the initial steep bit (less than a kilometre) it levels out. The hike goes by three different lakes (Yankee, Canuck and Turtle), and the path is well marked and well worn. I would rate this an easy day hike that will take you a couple of hours. There are a couple of spots that you can stop to have lunch off the side of the trail if you’re so inclined.
Turtle Lake...third lake along the loop
We had some excitement at one point when some people we passed going the opposite way on the trail, warned us that they saw a sow and her cubs. That’s a black bear momma, people!
I, have been waiting for this moment. Paul, has been dreading this moment (as he has had many of these moments before).
No, I am not suicidal, nor do I really want to encounter a wild animal (maybe the cubs though . . . they would be so cute!), I function much better when I am prepared. Paul, functions much better when in the moment (how is that possible?), or even when he is surprised. His flight or fight must be pretty intense.
So, upon hearing this news, we took a quick break (so we would be rested if we had to run, or climb a tree or something, or fight it with my hiking poles), went to the bathroom (TMI, I know, but how bad would it have been to be eaten by a bear AND pee your pants?), and armed ourselves with our protection. Me, with the bear spray. Paul with the bear bangers.
We practiced what I would do (I told you I like to be prepared), and Paul pretended to be the bear. He ran at me, and didn’t stop! Hello! Wouldn’t a bear stop when it saw me? Apparently not. I failed the test, miserably, when I couldn’t get the guard off the spray. Good thing Paul wasn’t really a bear…good thing I had already gone to the bathroom.
We finally continued on, after my ” lessons”, yammering away, making as much noise as possible, blowing our whistles . . . all that good stuff . . . and never saw the sow and her cubs. Strangely, I was disappointed. I was so READY! I do realize that encountering a bear whether prepared or not, is probably not a good thing. Make sure you know what to do! (That was the teacher in me coming out). At least know how your bear spray works.
Turtle Lake. Paul doing what he loves...taking pictures!
Me, not so worried, but armed with Bear Spray!
Last year, when Paul took me out here for the first time, we actually filmed a video for this hike! Check it out . . . Ruby is the star. Paul has an outdoors channel called GoExploreOutdoors that you should check out!
