Today's pre-hike of Sunday's Pine Ridge Hiking Club hike had an early start. When there's 15 mm of rain in the forecast starting mid-day, an 8 a.m. start is a good thing.
Because I was hiking with one of the owners of From Scratch Farm, I parked in their driveway. On Sunday we will be meeting at the corner of Shelter Valley Road and King Road, north of Grafton. That day we will be hiking in a different order than what we did this morning.
There will be no shortage of beauty on this hike.
No shortage of beauty, but a wide variety of dangers. We will need to practise our walking-single-file skills in four or five different spots. Like this unmaintained road going to From Scratch Farm.
The soybean fields are starting to colour.
Not only will we need to practise our walking-single-file skills on the steep hills, we will need to practise them around some sharp corners. Imagine a pick-up truck on its way to the Grafton Co-Op.... speeding around the same corner that they've driven around every day of their life and today........... 20 people walking on the road.
Surprise.
I love gates with mystery. Don't you wonder what's around that corner? Probably no speeding truck.
On Pipeline Road there is a short hill where we will need to take care again. We can do this folks! There is beauty to be seen and there are conversations to be enjoyed.
Some folks have been planting a forest on their property. Our grandchildren will thank them.
We saw some remnants of farms from bygone days.
And, every so often, a small stream crossed our trail.
Back on Shelter Valley Road, this Highland calf took an interest in us. We crossed the road to say hello.
As soon as we said, "Hello!" to the Highland calf, a pot-bellied-pig came plodding over to see us. It took a while for it to get to the fence.
It's like they were racing in an unequal race. The calf arrived first and.....
.... the pig tried to get as close to us as possible.
When your hiking buddy says, "Look, look, look!" in an excited voice, what do you do? I stop everything and look!
And, more, "Look, look, look!!!"
It was like a goat zoo. All coming out of the darkness to chat with us.
On Sunday's hike, we will loop around King Road>Pipeline Road>Shelter Valley (6 km) and then, those who want to visit the From Scratch Farm roadside market stand and tour their gardens will continue up this hill. (A further 2 km round trip) This is a very steep hill and .....
.... there will be lots of excuses, like these pretty purple asters, to stop and take a rest along the way.
There will also be more chances to practise our walking-single-file skills! We'll be pros in no time at all.
Those who choose to hike the hill to From Scratch Farm, will be rewarded by a market stand that offers fresh vegetables and wonderful home baking. This is what was offered last Sunday:
chocolate-peanut butter, maple, coconut or earl grey fudge.
Rhubarb-custard or mixed berry crumble top pies
(also available in gluten free graham crumb crust).
Glazed lemon-zucchini loaves,
and almond boterkeok (Dutch butter cake).
Who knows what they will tempt you with this week!!???
You will have the opportunity to walk their pollinator flower labyrinth and tour the garden and visit the goats.
I am looking forward to leading the first hike of our fall season and introducing my hiking friends to my From Scratch Farm friends. I know they will love each other.
Here is what you need to know about Sunday's hike:
Length: 6 or 8 km.
What3Words coordinates for parking: https://w3w.co/nametags.keeper.remark
Parking on the west side Shelter Valley Road at King Road
Leaving time: 9:30 (please be sure to arrive by 9:20)
Bring a snack and lots of water.
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road,
and if you don't keep your feet,
there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
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