WE GOT OUT THE DOOR AND TOOK OUR LEGS FOR A WALK

Cloudy and cold but Pheebs and I and weren't deterred and it was off we went in the direction of the Hullett-Marsh northeast of Clinton Ontario.  I was curious to see if our favorite road into the Marsh was open, but it wasn't.  Backtracking, we headed to a spot on Wildlife Line where the parking lot at a trailhead close to the road was open.  This is an area I first hiked back in the late-'80s and I hadn't been at this particular spot for maybe 6 or 7 years.  This is a popular trail and there are usually people here.  We were very fortunate this morning to have the trail all to ourselves:))

 IT'S OFF INTO THE EARLY SPRING WOODS WE GO

 I REMEMBER THAT SHACK FROM YEARS AGO

 A NARROW MISS FOR THE SHACK WHEN THIS OLD DEAD TREE FELL AND JUST MISSED IT

 CLOSE CALL FOR THE SHACK

 PHEEBS VENTURES IN

 I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS ONCE WAS

 A LAST LOOK BACK AT THE SHACK AS WE HEAD ON DOWN THE TRAIL

Luckily, we had no wind today to make it even colder than it already was.  The trail was a bit muddy in spots but overall it was in good shape.  The hardwood forest still looked very barren after Winter's ravages but that will all change very shortly with the advancing Spring weather.  In another month the forest will be well on its way to becoming a vibrant green wonderland with the sounds of songbirds in the trees and frogs in the ponds.  Today there was not a sound anywhere.  Just Pheebs rustling along through the forest floor's dried Autumn leaves. 

 ANOTHER OLD UPROOTED TREE POINTS THE WAY

 LOG BENCH

 SWAMPY AREA

 WE STEP OFF THE BLUE TRAIL AND HEAD OFF DOWN THE HILL ON THE SHORTER YELLOW TRAIL

Trails go for miles from this trailhead and I have walked them all years ago.  This morning we took a shorter loop trail and I didn't push myself.  I have to start out with shorter walks to rebuild the strength in my legs.  This morning's walk was just right and I didn't come home with any aches and pains.

 THERE WILL BE LOTS OF MOSQUITOS HERE IN THE SUMMER

 WE HAD TO DETOUR AROUND THIS WET SPOT ON THE TRAIL

 ITS ALWAYS NICE WHEN TREES ARE IDENTIFIED

Pheebs and I were back at the house around 10:30.  I read for a while hoping it would warm up a bit and luckily the temps did rise a few degrees.  With a few unexpected bursts of sunshine flooding into the sunroom by early afternoon, Pheebs and I were out the door and headed off along the Pine tree trail here in our Park.  The sun didn't stay out but no matter, at least we got out the door and took our legs for a walk.  Pheebs loves her walks and can still run like the wind but I haven't been able to do that since I was a kid when some days I'm sure I ran even faster than the wind blew.

 TRAIL MARKERS HERE MAKE IT CLEAR WHERE THE TRAIL LEADS

 THESE BIRDBOXES CAN BE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE HULLETT-MARSH

 NEARLY BACK TO THE PARKING LOT

Home again I hauled out the water pump for our front yard frog pond and got it going so now we have the sounds of gurgling water in the yard again.  I like that sound.  Shouldn't be too long before we start hearing frogs peeping.  I like that sound too.  And soon the songbirds will begin arriving.  Yes indeed, it is a mighty fine time of the year coming up and I'm looking forward to all the sights and sounds of Spring that will soon be upon us.

 A CORNDOG MUST HAVE PASSED THIS WAY

 LOOKS LIKE AN OLD 'BOARSHEAD' TREE TO ME

I was surprised to read Goderich is upscaling its beachfront shoreline this summer and you can read about that here at Retail and Entertainment on the Beach.  And Bayfield's getting into the upbeat Lake Huron shoreline action this summer as well with its first Outdoor Film Festival. 

GROANER'S CORNER:((  Computer Tech Suppport:  'Ok Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager.'

Customer: 'I don't have a 'P'.'
Tech Support: 'On your keyboard, Bob.'
Customer: 'What do you mean?'
Tech Support: ''P' on your keyboard, Bob.'
Customer: 'I'm not going to do that!'

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"Are you going to be using your lawnmower Saturday?"  "Yes, I will be."  "Good... so can I borrow your car then?"

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