Sun, Oct 28 2007 - Warsaw Caves (View Original Event Details)
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Originally, we had a long list of eager participants for this adventure. However, as the weather turned colder and rain threatened, we "lost" most of them, making us a magnificent seven when we gathered at the carpool. Actually, there were two additional TOC participants - Rocky and Trixie, canine family of our beloved Steph & Dom Amann. I (Jo) really enjoy Rocky and Trixie's company and invited them along for the day, as Steph & Dom would be busy.
Carpool arrangements worked out, and coffee purchased across the road, we departed in the direction of Peterborough. Shannon had the honour of joining me and the dogs - I was grateful to have another face in the car that they could lick while I was driving. The dogs took to her right away! We stopped on 115 so the dogs could relieve themselves and Shannon could buy a Subway sandwich. She ate half, leaving the other half for lunch (more on that later).
Arriving at the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, we saw Jaromir, Kate and Harry had already arrived. It was quiet, with no attendant at the gate, so I decided the dogs needed a run around the parking lot. I left their leashes on for easier catching, something I quickly regretted when Trixie somehow managed to get hers knotted around a back leg. Jaromir, Kate, Harry and Shannon all valiantly tried to help me get the leash off her leg, but to no avail. Trixie is rather sensitive about her back legs, as they were once broken, and did NOT want us touching them. At some point during all the chasing and attempted holding down of Trixie, Rocky went into Shannon’s bag and ate the rest of her sandwich. Shannon was very understanding, thank goodness. As Ghanesh and Terence arrived from a hike (they had arrived earlier and went walking), we decided that I would take the dogs for a walk and the rest of the group would go into the Caves. So I can't comment too much on what the group did for the first couple of hours. I hear that everyone went quite far down in at least one cave, and that Kate fearlessly crawled through some tight places.
Meanwhile, I took the dogs (Trixie with her leash knotted around her leg and tied up as best I could so it wouldn't hurt her) down to the beach for a drink and a run. Oops...a picnicking group of elderly people was there (I didn't expect that - honestly, it was COLD out!) and Rocky, off-leash, proceeded to make their acquaintance, with Trixie imitating her big brother as best she could. We felt we were not entirely welcome, so went to the (closed) campground area. The dogs had a good long run/walk in the leaves, after which we returned to the car for treats and a nap. I met up with the others and after a bite to eat (less so for poor Shannon) joined them in a return to the Caves. Kate is indeed a "natural" at climbing up, down and into these crevices. Ghanesh showed strong leadership. One odd sight was a woman in white bridal dress being photographed in one of the caves. We went in search of the fabled Caves 5 & 6, but couldn’t find them. Next time, I guess. After our failed expedition, a hike seemed in order. We set off on the Kettle Trail. Kettles are smooth, rounded holes in the limestone that were caused by pebbles swirling around in whirlpools when the area was under water. One particularly big kettle had a hole at the bottom, and I managed to convince Ghanesh and Jaromir to jump down it by mentioning that Jason “El Rey” had done so last year. I went back to join Kate at the beach while the others continued on to the Lookout Trail.
When everyone returned, we reconvened, said our goodbyes, and set off back home. Terence was my passenger this time, and after a run around the parking lot Trixie and Rocky were happy to join this new person in the car and go to sleep.
It was a very pleasant fall day in the woods, with excellent company (truly a Magnificent Seven) and interesting activities. The final word - Rocky and Trixie give Warsaw Caves two paws up!
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.