A Short Hike, But a Big Moment  

Written by William Marcinko

It was one of those late summer afternoons where everything feels wrapped in gold — a light that makes you pause, even if just for a second. My twin brother, Aidan, and I were home from university for the weekend and visiting Omemee, Ontario. Our parents suggested that we all head out for a short hike with our grandmother along the Trans Canada Trail. We weren’t exactly thrilled at first — Aidan grumbled about missing a Raptors pre-season update — but we both knew better than to say no to a walk with Grandma. 

The Pigeon River lay still beneath us 

The trail was quiet, the kind of peaceful that only happens when summer is winding down. Crickets chirped from the tall grasses, and the occasional rustle in the brush hinted at unseen wildlife. We walked slowly, keeping pace with Grandma, who, cane in hand, insisted on reaching the bridge. “I haven’t seen the Pigeon River from up there in years,” she said with a smile. 

As we approached the bridge, an opening in the trees appeared, and the view opened up. The Pigeon River lay still beneath us. From the center of the bridge, the water spread out in both directions, calm and glassy, reflecting the soft blue sky like a mirror. On one side, a family of ducks paddled between lily pads; on the other, the shoreline curved into the distance, dotted with reeds and overhanging trees. The late afternoon sun painted everything in warm golds and soft shadows. 

Photo credit: William Marcinko

‘See? Worth it.’ 

We stood there in silence for a moment — Mom snapping a photo, Dad with his arm around Grandma, and Aidan and I just leaning on the railing, the breeze gently lifting the heat from the day. It was a rare occasion in our family where no one needed to talk. 

Eventually, Grandma broke the quiet. “See? Worth it.” 

And she was right. For all the places I’d been and things I’d seen in the past year, this moment — standing on a quiet bridge over the Pigeon River with my family — was the most grounded I’d felt in a long time. Sometimes, the best things in life are just a short walk away.  

William Marcinko is a second-year Hospitality and Tourism Management student at TMU’s Ted Rogers School of Management. Find him on Instagram at @william_marcinko. 

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Main photo credit: William Marcinko