Toronto, ON - STILLLLLLL!

I had been patintly waiting for my appointment yesterday to to receive the news from the bone and tissue scans. Well - the Dr. came over to me and asked the same questions as per usual asking me to stand on it and try to walk for him... then he went to my file and noticed I had had a bone scan (that he had ordered!) The scan was cool to look at and seemed normal except for my ankle which was black. I looked from over his shoulder and I managed to read something about the results indicating a hyperthremic area around the R ankle. This basically meant that something more serious might be wrong. The good news is that the rest of my body seemed to be "normal" which indicates it isn't some bone disease or other complication - it appears to be isolated. Still doesn't offer any explanation though... something IS wrong with the ankle so now I am on an "Urgent List" for an MRI. Still no word.... still waiting....

Waiting in Toronto, ON

I went to the fracture clinic on the 22 May eager to be referred to a Physiotherapist and start the long process of getting my ankle back to working order! Well the Dr. was happy I can weight the ankle and said I can stop wearing the AirCast. He gave me a brace instead and he finally realised that perhaps the healing was taking a irregularly long time and gave me some paper work for bone and tissue scans. I was able to get an appointment on Thursday 24th. Basically they strapped me onto a machine while I was laying down and injected me with some radioactive fluid that disperses through your body and goes into your tissue. The thing you lay on moved and the slide me into the machine from me knees down. The technician told me the fluid only takes 8 secs to get down into my toes and let me watch on the monitors. After that I was told to drink lots and lots and to come back in 2 hrs to have the bone scan. It was similar but I had my entire body scanned. You must remain completely still while you are laying there and a big machine comes down within a few mm of you. So after all those fun and games, now I have to wait for my next appointment to get the results...

Toronto, ON Again!! (but not for much longer...)

This might be the last time that you see me with the AirCast. Tomorrow morning I go back for yet another appointment at the famous and much loved Fracture Clinic. Hopefully (please, please, please!) this may be one of my last if not THE last appointment I have at the Fracture Clinic. I am able to put weight on my ankle now while it's in the cast, even managed my first "leftleg" standing on the right leg since I broke my ankle 10 weeks ago. I am pretty excited. I have been walking on it as much as possible in hopes that this means my Orthopaedic Surgeon will be able to hand me over to the physiotherapist and I can start the rehab on my ankle. All the muscles in my leg are in atrophy, I have no muscles or range of motion in the ankle at all, and it seems that it will be a long time before I can walk on it unassisted. On a positive note I did buy a cane today! No more crutches!

Hardwood Hill Lookout Trail, Algonquin Park

Most will think I am crazy - especially after doing a hike and trying to put weight on the foot all day Friday, but on Saturday I wanted to try something just a bit harder. Well the Hardwood Hill Lookout is just a fraction longer and it's not wheelchair accessible so I pretty much knew I was in for a work out... perhaps I should have thought about the fact that a lookout is generally from a high place... this trail (which I have done many years ago) is all up and down hills with trails full of rocks and roots! But do I ever turn down a challenge? No not me! So we had to finish the trail which was definitely pushing me to my current limit! The thing was it is not my ankle that was bothering me, but my wrists! My goal is to be able to put weight on the ankle by the next time I go back to the Fracture Clinic (May 22). After returning from camping I used a scale to estimate about half my weight can be supported on the ankle while it is in the cast and I am standing still. The trouble is - in order to walk ALL of your weight must be on that ankle even if it's just a second while the other foot is lifted up to take the next step...

Spruce Bog Hiking Trail, Algonquin Park

A broken ankle isn't going to keep me in one place! I have now had 4 casts, 21 x-rays and what feels like a million appointments at the Fracture Clinic!!! I am allowed to gradually put weight on my ankle now which is encouraging. I measured on a scale and I was able to put between 25-30% of my weight on my ankle while in the cast. I was supposed to go on a canoe trip (with portages) with 7 others this week, but obviously it was still a bit soon for that! Although I couldn't go canoeing as planned, I decided to keep the days I had booked off from work and at least get out of the city! So my boyfriend and I went camping in Algonquin Park. On Friday (the 11th) I was feeling energetic and we did a very short "educational" hike and learned everything you might ever want to know about the formation of Bogs! This is me exhausted at the end of the 1km(?) wheelchair accessible hike!!! Have to start somewhere!

Niagara Falls, Ontario

I still have the AirCast but I am allowed to start putting some weight on the ankle now, so today my boyfriend and I went to Niagara Falls just for a day trip. We met up with my cousin, saw the falls and then we decided to stop by Niagara Glen (which I haven't been to yet this year since I can't climb). I was very impressed with myself! I made it all the way down to the river on my crutches without too many problems (DOWN being the operative word!) to the area called "the Land of Oz". The challenge was getting back UP the the steep hiking trails covered in rocks, stairs made of rocks, roots and obstacles (and my wrists really did pay for it)!

Eastern Sky Ridge Bridge LookOut, Red River Gorge, Kentuky

I went back to the Fracture Clinic to see the Orthopedic Surgeon on the 2nd April and he was happy enough with the progress of my ankle. He was kind enough to release me from the 35lbs of suffering that was attached to the end of my leg!!! So now I have an AirCast. Things are good. I still wake up in pain sometimes in the middle of the night, but at least I can get around a lot easier and my knee isn't in as much pain from the extra weight. I was supposed to go on a climbing trip that had been planned since last year sometime. I really didn't think I could go, but since I got the cast changed things have become 100 more comfortable and 100 times easier! It was pretty crazy trying to get to the GoTrain platform and meeting up with the people I was catching a ride with, but in the end I made it. The 11 hour car ride with my leg raised on pillows was very long and a few pain killers were needed, but it was great to get out of the city. I haven't been anywhere but work and my apartment for the last month! I got to see people and even made it to a couple crags to watch. Yeay!

Toronto, ON (cause currently I don't go anywhere else)

Tomorrow will be the big day. If all goes to plan I get my 6th set of x-rays tomorrow!! So far the Dr tells me he likes what he sees and I might (fingers crossed) get his piece of plaster (my third cast in three weeks) off! Not that I am home free, but last week when I went back to the hospital for my weekly x-rays and visit to the Orthopeadic Surgeon, he told me they would see if they could put me into an AirCast the following week. I hope so! Seriously! This one is sooooo heavy. An AirCast would allow me to move around easier. The doctors are not worried about the broken bone but are concerned that I have ripped apart all the ligaments/muscles in my ankle. I am down to only one or two pain killers a day at the most - there have even been days when I haven't taken any. I am working full days again but I have to keep my foot up on the desk! People have been kind enough to pick me up and drive me home from work so I am pretty lucky. I can't really take public transit yet but at least I am not stuck home laying in bed going out of my mind! Fingers crossed you will see a new cast up here soon!

Toronto, ON (At Home for a Week!)

This is the best I can do folks. I can't do much better than this. Last Monday (March 12th) I rolled my ankle and "broke" it. I went to the ER and waited patiently until a doctor had time to see me. Finally they gave me lots of drugs, I had some crazy dreams, they set my ankle, took some x-rays, refused to let me eat and told me that I would have to have surgery in the morning and possibly have 2 pins put into my ankle. I tried to sleep (but barely did) until morning when the Orthopedic Surgeon came in early in the morning, took some more x-rays and said that although the ankle had been set very well, the cast had not. So the cast was taken off and a new one put on. I was then told that I did not need surgery and I would be discharged but I was not allowed to put weight on it or do anything. I was given pain killers and crutches and told to come back for an appointment and more x-rays. So to date I still don't know if it's dislocated, fractured or broken... Tomorrow is the big day.

Blue Pillar, Kushog Lake, Haliburton Highlands, ON

This is me posing at the end of a day of ice climbing at Kushog Lake. The weather was great and since there were 3 climbs all with in a short walking distance from each other, we really lucked out! This is a 40m pillar that was not quite as nicely formed as the other climbs we did that day. It's called Blue Pillar (WI4).

Blue Boy, Kushog Lake, Haliburton Highlands, ON

This is the second climb we did. After topping out on Blue Boy (WI2) on my way down I stopped part way to strike another left leg pose. The morning was cold, especially walking across the frozen lake, but the sun was shining on us all afternoon and warmed us up. This climb had water dripping off of it and after a few climbs, it started sounding hollow! Yikes! It was a close to perfect day though! I think I might like ice climbing more than I thought!

La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Killarney Prov Park, ON

Well a 100km snowshoe trail, a pretty cool 4 season tent, a borrowed -40 sleeping bag, new fleece pants to add as one of many layers, frozen food, water, fingers and toes, -30 degree weather and a stove that was functional at best... all lead to a scaled down version of this ambitious little trip. Still - a week off work and being in snow covered forest with nothing but our gear and the beautiful peace and quiet was all I needed to rejuvenate and "get away" for a while. I WILL do the whole trail - but I might just wait 'til spring!

The big cock! Guelph, ON

I know. Wierd. We noticed this "cock" while on a road trip to look at a sustainable house on Saturday. This "big old cock" was located just as you enter the city of Guelph from the east on Hwy 7. There was a detour that lead us around some construction - had we not gone this way, we would never have discovered him! Strange! Who thought a giant cock was a cool idea? Seriously - who?

FearFest, Canada's Wonderland

A frightful night of good fun! My friend Dwain’s birthday is next Tuesday, so last night we went to help him celebrate and get in the mood for Halloween! There were lots of mazes themed like haunted houses, spooky forests, "accident scenes" and corn fields and some of them actually were a bit scary! (Dwain asked me why I was pinching his arm – so I think although I wasn’t really into the entire thing – they must have scared me a couple times!) I was more about the rides – in the dark! It’s one thing going there in the summer in the middle of a bright afternoon…it’s another going on a cold night were you can see your breath and going on the same rides in the dark! (Notice the attire - hat and mittens) A good time was had by all!

Burnt Island Lake, Algonquin Park, ON

This was taken during a 3 day canoe trip in Algonquin - on the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend! It was the nicest weather anyone could hope for this time of year! We did approximately 38km of paddling and 13 portages in total, traveling through Canoe Lake, Joe Lake, Little Joe Lake, Baby Joe Lake, Burnt Island Lake, Jay Lake, Treefrog Lake, Sunbeam Lake, Aster Pond, Willow Lake, an unnamed pond that was far from being more than a swampy mess of mud to DRAG the canoe through, Bartlett Lake, Tom Thompson Lake, Littledoe Lake, Fawn Lake, Teepee Lake, and then back to Joe Lake and finally Canoe Lake. It was a great trip - even saw three moose and had a great time with a great canoe partner! So here is the most unique "LeftLeg" photo yet.... enjoy!

Mew Lake, Algonquin Park

This photo was taken after a bike ride when we went to wash the mud off of bikes in the lake. What started out looking like it might be a rainy day - turned into a beautiful afternoon. I even met a couple friend ON THE TRAIL who I knew from Ottawa and who now live in Toronto. How bizarre!!! A great day in September. Who could ask for more - and all the leaves are beginning to change so the trails were looking the most beautiful I've seen them!

Bouldering at Niagara Glen, ON

What a beautiful day it turned out to be! Today we went to Niagara Glen to do some bouldering. It was super duper fantastic fun! The Glen has so many cool problems and it is a beautiful walk down near the Gorge anyhow - so even you aren't climbing it's a pleasant day outdoors. I decided today that I need to work harder at refining my boulding skills in the gym (with my back being messed up for the past few weeks I haven't done much at all) and my hands have gotten way to soft again! If the skin on your hands isn't up for it - you might as well give up. You are only as good as your hands... It's frustrating, but The Glen is beautiful enough and I am sure I'll go back... Look out!

The Friendship Trail, near Fort Erie, ON

On the long weekend, my mother and I went to visit my cousin who has just bought a house in Ridgeway (near Niagara Falls). From her neighbourhood you can access The Friendship Trail which forms the southerly link of the Greater Niagara Circle Route, a 150km multi-use trail system in the east end of the Niagara Peninsula. The trail is just one part of a 17,000 km trail system that stretches from St.John, NFLD to Victoria, BC and as far north as Tuktyuktuk! This photo was taken near the end of the trail at a little beach we found were someone had obviously "forgotten" their furniture!

The Old Railway Bike Trail, Algonquin Park

This was a very easy 30km day. The trail (which was built on an old rail bed from 1895) was FLAT and very user friendly. It did however lack anything even remotely physically challenging or exciting. Not my favorite, but since the other trail had fallen trees every 2 minutes it was an okay alternative. I guess. And no, I don't suggest trying this move at home folks - I am actually riding the bike as I did this. Thanks to my mom who took the photo as on lookers wondered what the hell we were doing!

The Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail, Algonquin Park

Getting ready to tackle the Minnesing Trail... we had no idea what we were in for with the high water levels and mud holes after the storm - not to mention all the fallen trees arcoss the trail. We had no choice but to carry our bikes over them... and needless to say we decided against doing the full large loop and cut our trip down to the smaller loop instead! Would have been a great track otherwise!

Lion's Head, Bruce Peninsula - camping

Lion's Head. Not bad at all. Lots of bugs - some rain, some crazy wind, some lightening, even thunder... but some nice weather too! Enough to get in some good climbing time!

McKay's Harbour

Camping 3.5km from the parking lot - hiked in along the Bruce Trail. This was a beautiful and very peaceful place! I can't believe more people weren’t staying here. We encountered two porcupines and about twenty raccoons on our last night - not so peaceful any more!

Bruce Trail, Georgian Bay, ON

Just after sunset... camping along the Bruce Trail - Georgian Bay... beautiful!

May 2-4 - Lion's Head on top of Wall A

One last climb before heading back to Toronto? Saturday had a brief hour of sunshine, Sunday we spend the day at White Bluffs on the other side of the bay - it's a big overhang wall sheltered a bit from the rain and wind... The easiest climbs there besides one 5.8 with sketchy bolts were 5.11's - so I did my first outdoor 5.11! Had a very long day and by the time we hiked back to camp it was 10:30ish pm... Monday the wind ended up being super strong and it was really really cold so we only did one climb over at Lion's Head before starting the drive back to Toronto! This photo was while we were waiting to see if the wind was going to let up! We couldn't feel our fingers. We didn't get any more climbs in (that day)... but we'll go back!!!

Lion's Head, Bruce Peninsula, ON

At the top of "Kiss of a Spiderwoman" 5.9 - nothing like some of the ol' left leg at the top! The sun came out for about an hour - perfect timing to thaw out fingers and toes.

Tobermory, ON - Camping May 2-4 long weekend

Whenever I go on a hike or go camping -IT RAINS! Most of the weekend was cold, windy and overcast. Since we couldn't climb, we drove to Tobermory to see if we could find something to do -this is Tobermory Lighthouse in the background.

Algonquin Park, Day 2 Western Uplands Trail

Still cold - still wet - and a wet pack is even heavier than a dry one! The rain seems to follow me... A great time was still had by all!

Algonquin Park, Western Uplands Trail

Uplands? I think they could call it WET lands... this weekend I did a 37km hike and camped in the bush... it rained the entire time, it was wet and muddy and flooded in parts, there were trees across the trail every 5-10 minutes, there was still snow in some areas and you could often see your breath! Needless to say - we had a great time despite all this. This was at our camp on the first night!

Toronto, Canada

Toronto - BeachFest in the summer. Why a big Maple Lodge Chicken??? This just has "Kodak Moment" witten all over it!!! I've travelled around the world- but only here after moving back to Toronto do I get to meet the Maple Lodge Farms Chicken!

Toronto, Canada - moving back

Vancouver, BC, Canada

This was my first stop when I returned to Canada. Vancouver to visit my bestest friend in the world! She thought is was silly, but I decided to carry on the tradition here at home as well...

Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia

Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is a World Heritage Site and is one of the world's most mysterious natural wonders. It' s located 475km south of Alice Springs, Australia.

The Devils Marbles, Australia

The Devils Marbles, middle of nowhere Australia, 393km North of Alice Springs and 9km South of Wauchope - the wind was so strong in the middle of the outback it almost blew me off this rock!

Australia Again

A random pose along a random road in the random outback of random Australia.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

On top of some big rock formations in Kakadu National Park which besides the striking scenery, is of high cultural significance because of the Aboriginal paintings. Everything you see in the background used to be covered with water.

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

This photo was taken without me knowing it. We were having a contest to see who could do the funniest thing while balancing on the post in this photo. Needless to say I won - this is even after a few "beverages" and a full day of volunteering in the heat and humidity! I also did have a bathing suit on underneath - so NO I was not flashing anyone this time!

Krabi, Thailand

This was taken at King Climbers the climbing centre at Railay & Krabi, after our last day of rock climbing in Thailand. I met a wicked-ass Canadian named Nicole who was my climbing partner and we had the greatest instructor (a thai guy named Rit) who had been recommended to me by some other travellers I'd met along the way. Highly highly recommend stopping here! It's some of the most scenic climbing I have seen!

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Another amazing ruin at Angkor Wat. I was trying not to flash anyone my underwear and didn't want the locals to think I was disrespectful.

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The very very amazing ruins at Angkor Wat - where even after three days there is sstill more to see! The temples are spread out over 65 kms around Siem Reap. They were built between the 18th & 13th centuries and range from single towers made of bricks to vast stone temple complexes. Some of the most beautiful ruins ever! And great photo opportunities!

Vitenam

Muang Ngoi, Laos

Pai, Northern Thailand

To get to Pai you must voyage either east from Chiang Mai or west from Mae Hong Son travelling on one of the most beautiful, gut-wrenching mountain passes known to man. Pai is (or was) a quaint little village that was a hidden treasure. But like all beautiful secret escape, over time word of mouth gets out and people flock to the area. Nothing is left untouched. The tourists come and go or fall in love with the place and stay - and the next thing you know, the place is transformed into whatever these "farang" want it to be! Anyway - not far form there there are several waterfalls. I can't remember exactly where this one was, but they were all beautiful. I am sad to think that Pai has probably only become more invaded!

Khao San Road, Bangkok, Thialand

Banglore, India

This is me at a market in Banglore. We had a great time here and I was offered a role in an Indian Coke commercial, as well as told I was an "Indian Barbie". Well well well...unfortunately most poeple are just trying to get you to buy something. I did find out later though that the commercial was real. I ended up buying a green sari as well as some fabric and bangles. So many beautiful fabrics that don't fit into a backpack!

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

It was a lovely day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - at the famous Pão d'Açucar (or the Sugarloaf). This photo was taken less than 1/2 way up and shows some of Rio's beaches in the background. When we got to the top we could see NOTHING but clouds all around us. Maybe you can't tell but I was hung over in this picture - it was the day after New Year's!

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

The most amazing falls... There are over 275 individual cascades and waterfalls strung out along the rim of a crescent-shaped cliff over 4 kms long. Most plummet over 80 meters into the gorge below. There are so many butterflies here all shapes, clours and sizes - so beautiful and they are everywhere - great for close ups if you can catch them staying still.

Iguaçu Falls, the Argentinean side!

This photo was taken on the Argentinean side of the falls! There are a series of boardwalks that take you across the waterfalls -it's almost a bit scary. I was actually getting soaking wet in this photo - but it was a hot day anyhow!

Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina

The end of the world! At least that's what they call it - the most southerly point in South America, Ushuaia Argentina. This was while on a trek in the National Park there. The views out to sea where amazing especially knowing you are looking out to a emptiness - the sea all the way to the South Pole.

National Park Los Glaciares, Argentina

We waited and waited to see if the boat would come to take us to view the glacier close up... we waited and waited... the iceburgs everywhere prevented it in dockign to pick up passengers. It was a no-go... it was a great day of renting a car, hiking and a picnic regardless...

National Park Los Glaciares, Argentina

After renting a car, getting lost on a gravel road, asking cows for directions, a cancelled boat, iceburgs, hiking and a picnic... I HAD to go stand in the Glacier water... cold!

Torres del Paine, Chile - last day

The final day we saw blue skys... I am not sure if the trek itself was less technical, but it really felt easier! The sunshine might have had something to do with that though. Anyway - after a nice trek in the sun we made it to the Torres (towers). Torres del Paine = The Bread Towers (or The Towers of Bread). So these are them.

Torres del Paine, Chile 2nd Night

Almost at Base Camp for the evening. Notice the plastic bags sicking out of my shoes... not a pretty day... and nothing had a chance to dry out... We had to laugh though otherwise we would have been crying!

Torres del Paine, Chile

Hiking along side streams running down the mountains. There was so much fog we didn't even know where we were going at times. It rained for the full 4-day hike. We did it in 2 1/2 days as the weather just got worse. We got up at 4am and kept going until about 6pm stopping only to dry off (unsuccessfully) in a shelter around lunch time. Mmmm soggy bread!

Unknown Glacier, Argentina

This glacier does have a name - I just can't remember it right now. The trek was steep and rocky and it was a dead end. I hate dead ends! I hate walking back past everything you walked by already - it somehow seems so pointless to me. The view was nice enough though.