Sat, Apr 5 2014 - Elmira Maple Syrup Festival: Pancake Breakfast & a 16km Hike (View Original Event Details)
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An ominous start to the cloudy day of blowing wind and scattered flurries did not deter this group from attending the 50th Annual Elmira Maple Syrup Festival and enjoying pancakes soaked in delicious maple syrup.
Arriving in several cars, our group took the hay wagon ride to the festival from the parking lot and quickly found the line-up for the pancakes. It was quite chilly and windy in the morning hours and post-exploring the festival, after consuming the sought after pancakes, purchasing maple syrup, maple butter, apple fritters, and the odd chili dog, we started the hike for a covered bridge photo op.
Where the earthy rail trail wasn't passing through open fields (giving us a hearty blast of wind), it was found to be hard packed snow when protected by trees. We we not deterred and pressed on, taking our time to safely clear the snowy areas. We soon reached the Kissing Bridge itself, in all of its covered glory (the heritage sign proclaimed that bridges were covered back in the day to protect the wooden deck from the elements). After several minutes of photo taking and group shots, we started our return journey.
"Hot Lunches, coffee and tea, crafts, home baking" a large sign proclaimed in front of a church on our walk back. We were sold. Several hot meals of chili, sausage, and a couple slices of pecan pie later we were ready to continue on. The hike back proved a lot windier, as we were now walking into the wind, but the group was in high spirits and enjoyed every minute of it. Before we knew it the sun had come out and the ground started to thaw.
We were soon at the cars again and said our goodbyes, until next year, or the next TOC adventure...
Event finances: Total event donations $23.50 ($14.75 in donations collected at event + $8.75 after event submissions).
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Erik Sonstenes at photos@torontooutdoorclub.com. Please note that we prefer to receive the photos in approximately 640x480 or 750x500 pixels - do NOT send original high-res photos. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to twenty of your favorites (only) for a day event, or up to forty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.