We will carpool to a roadside parking area near Dunedin and follow the Bruce Trail through a BTC Nature Preserve. The pathway wanders through a variety of habitats: a secondary mixed forest, an open meadow, a cedar bush and a crystal-clear babbling brook. The trail loops back to the road and then climbs a good-sized hill to a farm field, a natural meadow and a scenic lookout with a bench that invites a sit-down. We then retrace our steps back to our cars.

We will carpool and drive to Meaford (approx. 30 minutes) and park at Beautiful Joe Park on the south side of town. From there, Probus member Michael Coward will lead us along the banks of the Bighead River past the ruins of a power dam that once energized Meaford. Continuing along the river, we will reach the site of Trout Hollow Mill, where John Muir lived and worked in 1865 during the U.S. civil war. Michael has studied Muir’s life and will provide interesting commentary while we stroll through history.

We will carpool to a Bruce Trail parking lot on the West Church 33/34 sideroad a few kilometres west of Nottawa and begin a loop hike through the popular Pretty River Provincial Park. Our trek will range from 5 to 8 kilometres depending upon the options chosen by the group. Two big hills are included that we will ascend slowly. On one we will be climbing uphill right beside a stream taking the easy downhill route. Much of the trail is through maple forest that should be dropping colourful leaves.