Part 3 - Beaver Bridge Trail

I crossed the final bridge and found that doing so put us right back on the dirt lane on which we'd begun and which followed the trail for some time. It was pleasant, easy walking and I relished the opportunity to walk without having to watch my step:

As for the dogs, everything makes them happy. So they continued to run, play and sniff:

Madeline seem especially happy - or perhaps her perpetual smile just makes her look that way:

With most of the leaves not yet fully opened, I had wonderful views in every direction and I strolled slowly, enjoying it all:

I told Fergus and Seamus to "Stay" so I could snap their picture. My "poodley" boys:

And soon enough I could see the pond up ahead near where I'd parked the car:

When we arrived at the car, though, we had to rush down to the pond and enjoy it:

Seamus sniffed while Clover raced full speed along the shoreline (notice her "airplane ears"):

It was a warm, wonderful day even though there were a few spots of snow remaining. Yes, that's right - snow. See those white blobs on the far bank? Those were snow:

Seamus waded in just a bit and all the dogs took a drink of water. As for me, I'd have to stop at a store for something to drink:

Even Fergus went in:

But the day was young and there was still more exploring to do. Tune in tomorrow to see where we went next:

Part 2 - Beaver Bridge Trail

We'd begun our impromptu hike and were well into the forest. The wildflowers were just getting started. There weren't many Trilliums yet, but I found some small red ones about to bloom:

The trail took us up a steep hill:

And the young dogs ran full speed up and down the trail:

I'd hoped for a great view from the top, but even with most of the trees still leafless, there wasn't much to see but more trees:

There were green carpets of ramps and wildflowers brightening the forest floor:

And then, down below us, I saw two bridges. The dogs saw them also and raced straight down the hill:

I chose the modern, safer looking bridge and Clover did also. Some of the other dogs simply walked through the creek and up the bank on the other side:

There was more playing, running and scuffling. This time Madeline got involved. She's usually more staid and dignified, but the open, springtime woodlands must have buoyed her spirits too:

Onward through the forest:

Madeline did a bit more running:

And then we came to a real bridge, large enough and sturdy enough to handle a car or tractor:

The bridge spanned this lovely creek. But there was yet more to this trail and I'll post Part 3 tomorrow:

Part 1 - Beaver Bridge Trail

I checked my map to see how to get from the hamlet of High Flats to the hamlet of Wildwood. It required a long drive on French Hill Road. Coincidentally, I'd heard of a French Hill trail and intended to hike it just the day before. Unable to find French Hill Trail, I hiked in Southville State Forest instead. So when I stumbled onto the French Hill Trail (though it was really called Beaver Bridge Trail), I had to stop and hike it:

The day was lovely, I had free time and all five hiking dogs were riding in the car with me. So I parked and we began a new adventure, leaving the car behind as we climbed uphill into the forest:

The trail wound through the woods, closely accompanying a dirt lane. I kept to the trail because I figured I'd see more wildflowers on the trail. The dogs alternated between the trail and road, at least at first:

I saw Trout Lilies, newly emerged and preparing to bloom:

We were all having a happy experience and I snapped this photo of Madeline smiling:

Did you notice the white wildflowers in the above photo? They were Hepatica, and the woods was filled with them:

Hepatica everywhere, some of them pink and some almost purple:

Red Trilliums were about to blossom at any minute:

The trail took us away from the road and up a hill:

I saw large patches of ramps. In fact, there were ramps by the millions. Ramps are a wild onion with a garlic-like aroma and an onion taste:

And I wasn't going to pass by without eating a couple of them:

"What are you eating, Dad? Do dogs like ramps? Can't you walk any faster?" But we were just getting started. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: