The Mystery of the Abandoned Shoes

Sat. 2 July:  The Mystery of the Abandoned Shoes

Our new warning signs were needed today

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

The reader will be glad to know that this author is not skilled in writing novels. 

Otherwise I might have been tempted to try my hand.  For the second time this year, we have found a set of perfectly good footwear beside the trail, with no sign of their owner.  Earlier this year, it was a pair of boots.  Today, sneakers.  They were just sitting there under a tree, as if left there on purpose.  Why?  And what happened to the owner?  There was no good answer. Let us hope they had another pair of shoes for their journey.

What a great day for a hike.  Bright sunshine, vibrant colors after the thunderstorms of the previous day, cooler temperatures, and just about no bugs.  They were probably busy hatching for an assault later this week.

This nine or ten kilometre loop takes the hiker through the woodlands along a trail scattered with sparkling mica, before returning along quiet side roads to the start.

Passing the silent hunt camp, we dropped down to the creek, which was completely dry, the first time I have seen it so.  We crossed the creek on our favorite footbridge, built by RTA volunteers.  It’s starting to sag a bit, but is in no danger of early collapse.  Further along the trail, a busy work party had removed a large fallen tree and reinstalled a section of fenceline and a stile.  Nice work.  And the crossing of the swamp on the winding boardwalk is always a highlight of this trip.

We stopped for lunch in a shady corner of the trail.  A party of three young hikers caught up with us.  They were backpacking the whole route, in stages, starting in Kingston, and enjoying their experience so far.

Our return stroll along the country roads showed us how rapidly wild parsnip is spreading along the hedgerows of Lanark County.  It seems to have grown overnight and now fills the ditches along Mackler and McLaren Point roads, a sea of yellow.  We stayed well clear.

If you know anyone in need of a good pair of shoes, be sure to point them towards the Rideau Trail. 

Uncommon sight:  dry creek bed
This striking picture by Nancy Gaudreau

Sagging a bit, but in no danger of collapse

"Elevenses" below our favourite tree

Country Routes

The mystery of the abandoned shoes

The "surprise" view - suddenly exiting the forest canopy

Nicely groomed boardwalk
Lovely picture by Nancy Gaudreau

Wild parsnip going crazy