‘THE BAYFIELD BUNCH’ DRIVE THROUGH A CEMETERY TO TAKE A WALK IN AN AREA CALLED ‘THE GROVES’

IN ANOTHER MONTH THAT WHOLE TREED HILLSIDE ON THE HORIZON WILL BE ABLAZE WITH AUTUMNS SPLENDOR

With new A&W breakfast coupons in hand we headed off to Goderich this morning for bacon and eggs.  Great breakfast as usual but I wished they would tone down or eliminate the annoying music noise coming out of the overhead ceiling speakers!!

ON A WALK THIS MORNING AT GODERICH’S ‘THE GROVES’ I SPOTTED THIS SWEET WILLIAM AND QUEEN ANNES LACE ON THE GROUND AND A SMALL AIRPLANE PASSING UNDER THE MOON IN THE SKY ABOVE

After seeing the reforestation project behind the Maitland Cemetery on Monday's coffee drive with Richard I figured it would be a great place for a morning walk.  Kelly, Pheebs and I arrived at The Groves a little on the late side and already the day's heat an humidity were beginning to climb but we did get in a good half hour walk before having to retreat back to the Jeep.  Kelly and I with our dog Max had first hiked this area back in November of 2002 just a few weeks after moving to Bayfield.  At that time it was an old growth forest we walked through with the sky barely visible through the tall tree canopy overhead.  This whole 24 acre area was in the direct path of Goderich's F3 tornado 5 years ago and the old growth forest was torn asunder.  This morning we walked under clear blue skies in a totally unrecognizable environment from 2002.  It is truly amazing how the whole community with help from many donors and organizations came together after the tornado and not only cleaned up all the damage but have continued to develop the whole 24 acres into a brand new nature area open to the public. 

WHEN KELLY AND I LAST STOOD ON THIS SPOT IN 2002 THE SKY WAS BARELY VISIBLE DUE TO THE OLD GROWTH FOREST HERE

AMAZING HOW THAT TORNADO DEVASTATED EVERYTHING AND NOW AFTER THE BIG CLEAN-UP YEARS AGO ONLY A FEW SMALL TREE AREAS FROM THE ORIGINAL FOREST REMAIN….EVERYTHING IN THE ABOVE PHOTO IS NEW GROWTH EXCEPT FOR THOSE FEW SCRAGGLY TREES AT RIGHT

THERE ARE STILL MANY SIGNS OF THE TORNADOS DESTRUCTION

THIS TREE TOP WAS TWISTED RIGHT OFF

  

THE TORNADO OCCURED ON A SUNDAY

THE WHOLE AREA HAS BEEN NEWLY RE-PLANTED WITH THOUSANDS OF YOUNG TREES

A FEW SMALL AREAS OF THE OLD FOREST STILL STAND

A GROWTH OF MUSHROOMS ALONG THE WAY

PATHWAYS ARE MADE UP FROM TONS OF WOOD CHIPS LEFT OVER BY ALL THE DEAD AND DAMAGED TREES AND BRANCHES…., IT STILL AMAZES ME THAT A WHOLE FOREST ONCE STOOD HERE

We were fortunate to meet a fellow on the trail by the name of John Hazlitt who has spearheaded the reforestation project over the years.  A local conservation expert, historian, and author John  is out walking the trails most every day Spring, Summer, and Fall.  

LOCAL CONSERVATION EXPERT JOHN HAZLITT EXPLAINS HOW HE HIMSELF MADE ALL THE WOODEN SIGNS AND POSTS IN ‘THE GROVES’

There is a trail leading down to the Maitland River far below but we didn't go that way this morning but will return again when cooler weather is once again upon us.  Beautiful place and for anyone in the area I'd recommend a walking hike here and especially a month from now when forests will be ablaze with Autumns early colors.  From ‘The Groves’ main viewpoint there is a spectacular view across the Maitland River below and up through a softwood forest on the other side.  I'll be sure to get some photos of that in early October.  For anyone interested here is an informative link about ‘The Groves’.  Behind Maitland Cemetery: The Groves  Only way to ‘The Groves’ is through the Maitland Cemetery so keep bearing to your right all the way back to the far right Northeast corner to find the trailhead.  The short road to the trail can be easily missed so watch for it.

IT IS OBVIOUS MANY GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP RESTORE WHAT THE TORNADO TORE APART

ALL THESE POSTS AND WOODEN SIGNS WERE MADE BY JOHN HAZLITT FROM TORNADO DAMAGED TREES

We were back home by 10:30 and despite the increasing humidity I was able to get a few more things done in the front yard.  That gol darn Richard sometimes puts ideas in my head and Monday morning he made a comment about how he thought a couple posts on either side of our driveway might look nice.  I hadn't thought about that and of course the idea stuck with me and I couldn't shake it.  An hour later with the help of my chainsaw, wheelbarrow, fridge cart and a shovel I had two 5' gate posts dug in on each side of our driveway.  Nothing fancy of course but that gol darn Richard sure had got me to thinkin again:))

A LITTLE HARD TO SEE THE POSTS BUT THEY’RE THERE:))

Into the house about 1:30 with my mornings clammy clean shirt going right into the laundry basket and my near 72 year old clammy self going right into the shower.  Rest of the afternoon was spent in my recliner in front of my fan but hey it's day 3 without having to run our A/C.  Bonus.  However……..and there often seems to be a however doesn’t there.  Six o’clock weather report tonight says we are headed back into that miserable hot and humid stuff beginning tomorrow with temps climbing into the low 90’s.  Awwwww nuts looks like I’m headed for Complainer City again:(((((((

WOODEN BENCHES ARE ALSO MADE FROM TORNADO DAMAGED TREES

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A few comparisons between work and prison::

IN PRISON...you spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...you get three meals a day.
AT WORK...you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.

IN PRISON...you get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK...you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.

IN PRISON...a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK...you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.

IN PRISON...you can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK...you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...you get your own toilet.
AT WORK...you have to share.

IN PRISON...they allow your family and friends to visit.
AT WORK...you cannot even speak to your family and friends.

IN PRISON...all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required.
AT WORK...you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...there are wardens who are often sadistic.
AT WORK...they are called managers.

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A wife and husband both talked in their sleep. She loved auctions; his hobby was golf.  The other night, as they slept, the golfer yelled, "Fore!"  His wife yelled back, "Four and a quarter !"