Colonel John By, builder of the Rideau Canal. B ack in 1832, when the Canadian Winter set in, even a hearty soldier like myself sought shelter from the harsh elements. However, those elements seem to have softened over the years. There is no longer any need to hibernate during this uniquely Canadian season. In fact, the ice and snow allow people to enjoy activities that cannot be done in more temperate climates.
Many provincial parks groom their paths for cross-country skiers.
I tried cross-country skiing at Murphys Point Provincial Park and found it both serene and invigorating. The whisper of the skis and the call of the birds were the only sounds I heard as I swished through the snow-laden trees. The Cataraqui Trail is open to both skiers and snowmobilers. I tried a snowmobile ride. Winter travel used to be so difficult, but these machines seem to be able to handle very difficult terrain.