Black Pearl Life Style

 We have snow. And it's April. After a fierce storm, including freezing wind, high winds and snow, this morning brings turquoise skies, iridescent trees. It was truly uplifting sensation. Two more weeks of freezing temperatures and snowfall, Spring is on its way!    

The Niagara Escarpment runs from New York state, through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. It is the longest escarpment formed out of the Great Lakes Basin, the most popular modern day tourist attraction being Niagara Falls. Collingwood is nestled in the shadows of the Escarpment, Osler Bluffs and Blue Mountain, overlooking the town and providing year round appeal to locals and tourists alike.  Here's a link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment

We are a very active family and it's really important for me to get outside and get plenty of physical exercise, likewise instilling these important principles in our kids. This is an interesting tip I read recently, and should obviously be taken according to each individual's condition as sometimes, fatigue can be a sign of illness or something more serious. However, I like how they recommend exercise, even a short walk, after work, in order to revitalize senses,  mentally and physically. Particularly, if you have a sedentary job. "Everything we do uses oxygen, so when you exercise it helps you work more efficiently and you don't tire as easily," FYI - I'm heavily sleep deprived in this photo ;) Here's the link with the quote! http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20857218,00.html#exercise-when-you-re-tired

We love running and love some of these tips! I particularly like the tip about counting steps. I recall doing this during races - it's a great way to mentally challenge yourself and dig deep during tougher moments.  Apparently, the most efficient runners have a cadence of 180 steps per minute. It is recommended to check your stride turnover and monitor your form, running with your feet close to the ground.  Here's a great link! https://greatist.com/fitness/25-ways-run-faster-now

Our pup Josie suffers from anxiety. Our recent purchase of the 'Thunder Vest' has helped enormously. Using the same principle as the 'swaddle' to soothe new born babies, the Thunder Vest is a tightly fitted vest that can be worn in stressful or anxiety provoking situations.  Josie is highly territorial and the Thunder Vest is proving a valuable tool in allowing her to enjoy her surroundings, including the glorious Niagara Escarpment in Collingwood. Here's a great link! http://www.thundershirt.com/

The Georgian Trail runs from Harbourview Park in Collingwood to Meaford. Beautifully maintained to ensure year round appeal for those who love the outdoors, the trail stretches as far as the eye can see. If you enjoy running, walking, biking, horse riding or snowshoeing, the trail is a stunning way to experience South Georgian Bay.  Here's the link! http://www.georgiantrail.ca/

I managed to squeeze in a quick run up the escarpment today after dropping the kids and starting work. As you can see from the conditions, it's still very icy underfoot, so I decided to attempt my run using my crampons to ensure footing. I was not unlike my track and field days wearing 'spikes' although a little more heavy duty. It was certainly necessary, especially on the slopes, as the ice was thick and impossible to avoid.    I purchased these crampons on Amazon after an unfortunate tumble on the ice. During the winter, ice is abundant and as many of you will know, takes no prisoners. The crampons give you an extraordinary level of confidence on the ice, with sturdy, penetrating spikes that allow you to glide easily over any difficult terrain. To ensure your enjoyment of this time of year, I would highly recommend crampons, available online or in store such as Sporting Life or Canadian Tire.  Here's the link to the product on Amazon https://www.amazon....

Carly Patterson trail is an approximately 11 km loop that meanders throughout the west end of Wasaga Beach. Never straying too far into the wilderness, this trail is perfect for almost all walking/ hiking abilities. There are countless entry points along the trail and it's very well maintained after storm damage. The deep snow we are currently experiencing makes it harder with the double stroller, but with snow shoes, you could enjoy a delightful hike through the woods.  Here's a video of our running convoy ( pup and stroller included) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz_DX0SUEjo And some further links about the trail! http://staging.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMKJ6C_Carly_Patterson_Memorial_Trail_Wildwood_Drive_Access_Point http://wasagabeachtourism.com/wasagabeach/media/Documents/Maps/WB-Trails-eMap.pdf