Down Country Paths. #2

Good morning! Well, it is time for our second look at Down Country Paths and this time it was a hike for my birthday. It took place several years ago, some of the pictures used are from then, some are new but represent things seen along that hike. It was a beautiful, sunny day, much like today, though it was warmer back then.

I chose an area I had wanted to check out for some time, got everything together and off I went. I drove to the spot where I would begin my hike and left my car parked under a large birch tree. There was no path to follow here, I just went in the direction I wanted to go, which was heading off to a lake that I had seen on the map and wanted to check it out.

Wood Lily.

No particular reason, just looked like it would be a nice hike. I climbed a rather high hill and from the top it was a most beautiful view of the surrounding area. I enjoyed the view for a bit then continued on along the top of the hill. It was a dry summer so there was a constant crunching with each step I took. There were several Wood Lilies on that hill, plus some wild roses here and there.

Wild Rose.

It was nearly all Jack Pine on top of that hill, though there was a birch here and there plus a few White Spruce. I stopped for a moment and listened. Thought I heard some crunching that was not me. I looked around and saw nothing, plus that other crunching stopped too. Perhaps I was hearing things. I continued walking but now I had that feeling that I was being watched.

I get that feeling sometimes and it has always turned out true. I could see nothing however, so I kept on going. I was heading downhill now and it was more heavily treed with more undergrowth. I heard some noise again so I stopped. This time I heard it after I had stopped walking, it came from my left. Unfortunately I could not see much to my left, there was too much undergrowth.

Nice view from the top.

The noise stopped however, and since I could see nothing I kept on going. Walking was a bit hard through this area because of all the undergrowth, mostly willows and maples, anywhere from 6 to 10 feet tall. It was like that for about an hour, then I was finally out on rocky terrain once more. I decided to head for slightly higher ground where it would be easier walking, and I would be able so see better.

It was a rather steep climb and I was going at an angle on my way up. I was nearly at the top when my foot slipped on some moss and I fell straight down about 20 feet! I landed kind of on my side, hitting a fallen tree and landing finally on my backpack. I hurt my left leg, but it did not feel too serious. Off I went back up to the higher ridge and continued along that ridge until the lake was in sight. A blue jay squawked, so I tossed him a piece of bread.

Blue Jay looking for some food.

Down I went and there was a nice small, sandy beach right there. Perfect spot for my lunch. I felt like I was being watched again though. I looked around, and listened. Nothing. Just my imagination, I thought to myself. I decided to explore along the lakeshore for a while and went to the right where there were a lot of boulders and smaller rocks along the shore.

Arriving at the lake.

As I walked over them, my leg slipped down between some rocks and a bunch of them moved. That did it, my leg was stuck in those rocks and I could not move it at all. There were some big rocks to move, this might take a while. So I began. Then that feeling came back that I was being watched. This time I saw something dark move among the willows about 10 feet away…

Well, better stop right there before it gets any longer. Yes, I will finish the story, next time. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.