Convincing Amélie to walk further, hike longer

HOW WE’VE BEEN MOTIVATING AMÉLIE TO KEEP GOING Exactly two weeks into our project of helping two-year-old Amélie hike the entire 316 kilometres of the East Coast Trail powered only by her little legs, we’ve already had to be quite inventive about ways to help encourage her to keep going. When Amélie “quits,” we’ve noticed that it’s rarely Read more about Convincing Amélie to walk further, hike longer[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 13

MOBILE BEACH TO HERRING COVE   This must be one of the most gentle hikes on the East Coast trail. After walking over the landwash at Mobile Beach, the first 500 metres of the Beaches Path is an old community cart path leading to Nolan’s Meadow, where the remnants of an abandoned settlement are still Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 13[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 12

HARRIGAN’S CONVENIENCE TO CAMEL BEACH This was another community cleanup day. Amélie started hiking from the trailhead at Ragged Beach and made it to Camel Head Point before the rain started. We plunked Amélie in the carrier, put up the hood, and ran back to the car fearing a downpour. When we got back to Gallows Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 12[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 10

THE GRAND CONCOURSE Since we had appointments in town today , we decided to try doing the Deadman’s Bay Path, which starts with a sharp climb up the South Side Hills from Fort Amherst. When we got to the trailhead, we realized that this hike would be very unpleasant given the conditions – this morning’s rain had Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 10[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 9

THE BULL HEAD LIGHT Dressed for the pending rain, we set out to start the Spout Path from Captain Wayne’s. We’re unsure about how far we’ll get before the rain begins. Évangéline is fast asleep by the time we get to the trailhead, and Amélie is excited about splashing in the puddles. We meet a few people Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 9[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 6

UPPER RED COVE TO SOUTH HEAD Today is one of the days we’ve been dreading for the past week: the half-way point between the Witless Bay and the Bay Bulls trailheads. We have to carry Amélie more than three kilometres to the start of her hike, knowing that we’ll have to carry her all the way Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 6[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 5

OTTER COVE TO UPPER RED COVE The stepping stones that are placed by the East Coast Trail Association to make walking through bogs easier (and drier!) are placed one “standard” pace apart. Toddlers’ strides are much, much shorter than “normal” (about 30cm on flat ground). On flat ground, Amélie probably takes three steps for every step we make. On the Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 5[…]

Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 4

TOBIN MEMORIAL TO OTTER COVE Leaving the house, we explain the Rule of the Hike to Amélie again. She’s puzzled about why Séb picks her up at the trailhead, but she happily grabs on to his neck and enjoys being carried up to the Tobin memorial. This part of the trail is soggy at many points – there’s Read more about Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 4[…]

Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 3

BEARS COVE INN TO TOBIN MEMORIAL Walking from the Bears Cove Inn to the trailhead is relatively painless. Once at the trailhead, we get Amélie to hug the signpost bearing the distances to be overcome. She’s puzzled, but she complies. We get her to hug the next few markers too, trying to establish a ritual she Read more about Amélie Hikes the East Coast Trail – Day 3[…]

Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 1

Can a toddler hike the whole East Coast Trail… BY HERSELF? Maybe it’s possible. Maybe it isn’t. We don’t know yet. But our two-and-a-half-year-old, Amélie, is giving it a try. The rules are simple. So simple that there’s only one, which Séb has taken to call “The Rule of the Hike”: She takes every step. We hold her hands & help her keep Read more about Amélie hikes the East Coast Trail – DAY 1[…]