LEGO on vacation… Day 11: Hiking

Yesterday, the wifey and I went for a hike on Mount Orford, near Magog, Quebec. I really like hiking. It is a great workout, and it gets you out in nature. I had my Fitbit tracking the hike, and those badges were really rolling in! First came a Happy Hill badge (10 floors), then a Redwood Forest (25 floors), Lighthouse (50 floors), Ferris Wheel (75 floors), Skyscraper (100 floors), Rollercoaster (125 floors), and Stadium (150 floors). On top of that, I got a Boat Shoe badge (5000 steps), Sneakers badge (10,000 steps), and my first Urban Boot badge (15,000 steps) all in one hike! Fitbit also estimates that I burned 1,368 calories. I really find my Fitbit Charge to be a fun tool that helps keep me motivated in terms of exercise.

We hiked three kilometers up the mountain, and then three kilometers back down. That doesn’t sound like much when you think if it in terms of a regular walk. But, this was a good, steep hike that had you borderline rock climbing at times. Our total hike took us three hours and 48 minutes. We went at a leisurely pace, and stopped in several places to take in the scenery. My wife was catching Pokémon on the mountain, while I was practicing my photography skills.

The first part of the trek took us along a stream bed. We had hiked this trail a few years ago, and I was really looking forward to seeing the waterfalls along the stream. Sadly, the stream was almost dry this year and the waterfalls were barely a trickle. For Minifigures, they still qualified as rivers. There were pools in places that allowed for some nice photos though.

During the first part of the hike, when there was water present, we saw a painted turtle and some frogs. As we progress up the mountain, we saw a couple of snakes and some chipmunks. There were some really nice lookouts with incredible views.

I found the price of the hike to be a little steep. For the both of us to enter the park for just under four hours of hiking was $17. Compared with the price a movie, I guess it is not bad for entertainment. But, it bothers me a little that you have pay so much to enjoy nature, which should be free. The money does go to conservation of the park, so in that respect it is good. It would have been easy enough to just enter the park and not pay, there was just a box at the beginning of the trail that you put your money in. But, even though I thought it was expensive, I am believer in supporting the things you love. And, if paying will keep parks like this running, then I will support it.

 

Here are a few more pictures from the hike, in case you are interested. Until next time,

 

-T.N.B.