“Hey Mom!
We need an answer over here!”
The
questions seemed to leap out of the low growing plants this passed tracking
club as a large group of budding naturalists scoured the trail for signs and
tasty berries. Mothers and children, exchange students and apprentices, 19 all
told made the trip out to Kimbercote to see what mysteries the woods held that
day.
Early and
often berries captured our attention. Mulberries and strawberries, raspberries
and currants, lined the side path of the Bruce
Trail we chose to wander. Among the
low plants we also found marks in the mud that formed from the rain the night
before. More then once we found raccoons sharing watering holes with birds. Deer
splayed their hooves in the soft muddy trail edges.
As we hit
the creek edge the trail cut west and rose out of the valley. As the path rose
the landscape changed. The open path with plants, shrubs, and young trees gave
way to denser crops of trees and tightly growing cedars. After a steep dark path
we found a clearing with a picnic table facing a great view of Blue
Mountain and Georgian
Bay. Looking out into the cloudy valley we had snacks and chatted
about the questions that we had taken with us.
A short
path took us back to the Bruce. Every step showing another clue to what animals
had passed on the long descending slope all the way to the mulberry tree that
we started at. I’m sure many eyes watched us part, wondering when this large
group of naturalist will take to the woods again.
Garrin Carter
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