Hey there! How’s your summer been? Did you spend some time around the campfire, maybe charring a few marshmallows? Or were you out soaking up the sun… only to end up more crispy than you’d planned (I might be speaking from experience here… heh heh)? Perhaps you’ve been exploring nearby parks, lakes, or hiking trails? 😉
With the pandemic affecting all our plans, this summer’s been a little different for everyone. Take me, for example—I was all set to visit London London and Stonehenge with my dad in June, but 2020 had other ideas. We all had to adapt one way or another because, like it or not, the world keeps on going with or without us.
One of my favorite ways to unwind is SUP—Stand Up Paddleboarding. My family and I have two paddleboards (two people on each) and a kayak, and we’ve spent the past three months exploring nearby lakes. There’s nothing quite like being on the water as the sun sets, watching the sky explode into a canvas of stunning colors.
I’ve also been itching to go hiking. The last time I hiked was two years ago in Romania with my dad, up Tampa and Mount Postavarul. So, I decided to find some hiking spots near me. After a bit of searching, we landed on Oka National Park. It has several trails with varying difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone. We hiked for about two hours, taking a 20-minute break at the summit, covering around 6 km. We took one path up and another down to mix things up a bit.
To get to Oka, we took the ferry across the water. During our hike, we encountered all sorts of little creatures—baby squirrels, chipmunks, and every now and then, you’d look down and see small green nuts or bushes with berries. The trees were towering, some with thick trunks and hollows. In one, we found a squirrel’s home packed with supplies for the winter—soooo many nuts!
At the summit, we came across three white chapels built in the 1700s, with beautiful paintings inside. We sat on a few benches to take in the truly breathtaking view over the Lake of Two Mountains. On our way down, we crossed a wooden bridge over a small ravine, and once we exited the forest, we passed by a field of flowers. I couldn’t resist picking a few to make a flower crown—autumn’s around the corner, and sadly, the flowers will soon give way to the cold. But don’t worry, they’ll be back in full bloom come spring! 😉
Overall, I absolutely loved the hike and felt deeply connected with nature. I’m hoping to go back in a few weeks when the leaves start changing color. If you’re a nature lover and haven’t gone on a hike yet, I highly recommend it. Grab a friend or family member and embark on your own adventure—you won’t regret it!
Just a few tips: dress sporty and comfortable. If you have hiking boots, great—if not, a sturdy pair of sneakers will do. Bring a solid backpack, but pack light! And don’t forget your water bottle. If it’s sunny, a hat or baseball cap is a good idea, but if it’s chilly, don’t forget a jacket. And that’s about it!
Stay safe, peeps, and most importantly—enjoy yourself and HAVE FUN!!!
