WE HEARD AN UNSEEN SOUND COMING ALONG THE TRAIL BEHIND US

NICE MORNING FOR A WALK IN THE FOREST

Our beautifully cool morning started out with big white puffy clouds drifting lazily across a deep Robin's egg blue sky.  What a treat it was for Pheebs and I to be a part of it all as we wandered along half a dozen country roads soaking up the rural ambiance.

IT WAS THE PRETTIEST OF MORNINGS

DRIVING BETWEEN THE CORN FIELDS

With cooler air upon us, I knew there would not be any annoying bugs in the forest so we weren't long in winding our way over to the Bannockburn Conservation Area.  Had my fingers crossed no cars would be in the parking lot and lucky for us there wasn't.  We were good to go and soon on the trail making our way into the forest.

HI-HO HI-HO IT'S INTO THE FOREST WE GO

We have many favorite spots in the area for walking but this one is my fav because it has water, hills, boardwalks, an old iron bridge walkway, and a sugarbush forest as well as deep and dark piney woods.  Even a hard to find stone foundation of an old cabin from long ago.  We didn't go as far as the old pioneer foundation because I heard an unseen sound coming along up the trail behind us and we had to scurry because I knew right away what that sound was.

A DETERIORATING MUD WASP COLONY UPPER RIGHT

CAN YOU SEE ALL THE FACES

Picking up the pace we hurried ahead to where I knew the trail divided off into two directions.  I reckoned that sound would take the trail to the left so we deeked right for about a hundred yards then halted, and waited.  I didn't have to put my ear to the ground to hear the rumble of tiny feet.  I could hear the shrieks, piercing screams, shouts, and giggling laughter bouncing off surrounding trees in the forest.  It was the sound of many tiny voices.  Geeeezzz, I thought.....did somebody unload a whole school bus of little kids??  As the voices came closer I quickly scanned the sides of the trail for an escape route into the dense pines.  I was just about ready to say 'we better make a run for it Pheebs' when I discerned an audible change in the noise coming our way.  It wasn't getting closer, it was fading.  'Yahouie Louie' my reckoning had been right and they had taken the other trail.

THE DAINTIEST OF FERNS

Turning around we headed back down the trail in the direction from whence we had come.  All was quiet and not even a peep could be heard in the direction of travel the unseen tiny tot gang had taken.   We made tracks for the parking lot and were soon on our way down the road headed for home.  Another close encounter successfully evaded.  Now, some may wonder why we would avoid other hikers and of course there are several reasons but the main one is Pheebs.  I never walk Pheebs on a leash and she is always free to run and explore.  Readers know how friendly Pheebs is and she loves people.  Therein lies the problem.  Pheebs runs toward folks and has a habit of jumping up on them.  She loves to plant smooches on people's faces.  Of course, people don't know that and if they have children with them it makes for a scary few seconds for the parents to see a dog running towards their children.  I understand their fear and apprehension so whenever I see people on the trail and especially if they have kids I make sure Pheebs and I go the other way or duck off the trail.  I don't want people to feel uncomfortable.  Of course, long time readers will know me well enough to know that it wouldn't matter if I had Pheebs with me or not.  If I was walking by myself and saw people coming I would still head the other way or duck off the trail and let the people pass without ever knowing I was there.  'Oh Al'......ya ya I know:))

HEADING BACK TO THE TRAILHEAD

Our nice weather hung on for the rest of the day and I was able to get a bunch of shrub and tree trimming done.  With this burgeoning jungle of greenery we have planted around us we would soon be lost to the world if not for keeping up with the constant never-ending trimming.  Also got myself some more puttering done in the little Winnie. 

THIS IS THE PARKING LOT AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR WALK

THIS IS THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF OUR WALK....NO SCHOOL BUS BUT I THINK THERE MUST HAVE BEEN TWO DOZEN KIDS IN EACH OF THOSE VEHICLES

It was cool enough after supper tonight for me to toss on some warmer duds.  Invigorated by the cooler air Pheebs and I did a brisk walk through the Park's forest.  Mid-morning Wednesday it will be all three of us in the Jeep heading for London's University Hospital.  Kelly has an ultra-sound coming up.  Pheebs and I will hit a few country roads outside of London before picking Kelly up when she's through with her appointment,

GROANER'S CORNER:((   I asked my doctor today how long he thought this COVID thing will last.  He said, “How should I know, I’m a doctor, not a politician.”

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A sweater I bought was picking up static electricity, so I returned it to the store.  They gave me another one, free of charge.

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A man was found guilty of overusing commas.  The judge warned him to expect a really long sentence.

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Doctor: What seems to be the trouble?
Patient: Doctor, I keep getting the feeling that nobody can hear what I say.
Doctor: What seems to be the trouble?

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