The Long and Winding Road

Date of hike:  Sun. April 22, 2012 Earth Day!

Weather:  9C at start; 11C at completion; partly cloudy/sunny with a NW wind                                                                                   
Duration of hike:  1 hour 27 minutes

Section:  6—from Tigerlily Road/Riverbend Road to the entrance of Komoka Provincial Park on Oxford St.

Distance:  6.4 km              Cumulative distance:  153.5 km

This was the third stretch of the TV Trail that took a detour along the local roads, and it won’t be the last.  Usually, following a roadway is necessitated by the fact that private land ownership does not allow hikers to come onto the property, should the trail pass that way.  That was the case here, as we left Kains Woods and headed through a housing development and made our way to Westdel Bourne and on through to Oxford Street. 

Had we continued along the river, we would have traversed onto the properties of local home owners as well as that of Woodeden  Camp (a camp for physically challenged children that is operated by Easter Seals).  I guess it’s just unfortunate that the trail would have to pass through these properties, in order to stay its course along the Thames River. 

On one hand, one would hope that a compromise of some sort could be worked out, but on the other hand, I suppose it’s understandable that the privacy of these properties needs to be respected.

Nevertheless, we set out to complete this part of section 6 in a steadfast, no-nonsense manner.  Short on time, this particular day, we were able to get the job done efficiently.  All the while, I couldn’t get the Beatles tune “The Long and Winding Road” out of my head as we made our way along the side of the road.  I also began to reminisce about when I was 9 or 10 years old, participating in the annual Oxfam Walk that was held in my hometown of Chatham.  Perhaps this was when I first developed an attraction to setting off on a challenging journey, such that a hike can be.

The Oxfam Walks were held in the spring across Canada, and Chatham/Kent County was no exception.  I remember the course being 30 miles (yes, 30 miles, not kilometres!) in length and participants would get sponsors to pledge for each mile they would complete.  There were check points along the way, and your card was stamped to prove that you had made it to that destination.  I tried twice to make the full distance, but only ever made it as far as 18 miles, before my blistered feet and sunburned shoulders forced me to abandon my goal and wait for the paddy wagon to pick my friends and me up.  When I think of it now, I am in wonder that my parents allowed me, a 9 year old child, to set off for the day, to try to accomplish such a feat.  But they did, and I survived!  Though I was always in awe of other class mates who had succeeded; how did they do that?  After a couple of years, the annual event was no more, for reasons that I am not aware of, and I never did get a chance to beat that course.

Eventually, I became involved in middle distance running at the high school and university level and took on the ultimate challenge of running the marathon (26.2 miles).  I would conquer that 30 mile distance (more or less) and successfully complete 14 marathons, with all but one race under the 3 hour time barrier.  Hard to believe when I struggled to simply walk an equivalent distance!  But I do digress….easy to do as one walks along a road with little else but thoughts and Beatles tunes going through one’s head.

Still, there were some interesting things to observe along this early part of Section 6.  This lovely little country church, set back from the road, attests to a simpler time. 

Located just east of the church, along the road, was this small cemetery.  We took a few minutes to explore it and observed many similar family names, with dates going back as far as the early 1800’s!  Many stones were indecipherable due to the weathering of time. 

This section, if travelling from Talbotville to St. Mary’s, begins with an exit from Komoka Provincial Park.  One of the smaller parks in Ontario, and lesser known, its boundaries protect the terrain and species in this area.  A provincial park for only about 10 years, there seems to be a change in the making happening, in order to classify it as a Provincial Nature Reserve.  I’m guessing that this will bring further restrictions to activities like horseback and ATV riding through the area, which will only help to preserve its natural state for years to come.  We’re looking forward to hiking the trail through here on our next leg.

Where the trail begins its entry into Komoka Park

Beginning of trails in Komoka Prov. Park....our
turn-around point for this leg....our starting
point for the next.

When hiking Section 6, one should be aware that there is a slight trail re-route.  By checking the Thames Valley Trail Association web-site and following the link to “trail re-routes” under “The Trail”, changes that have occurred since the publication of the third edition of the trail guide are posted.  One such important change for this section:

“Section 6 from the North end of Westdel Bourne – at 2.5 km

DELETE existing trail guide description entirely.

ADD “At 2.5km turn R (east) off the north end of Wesdel Bourne onto Kains Road. Follow Kains Road for 300 m and turn L onto Tigerlily Road. Follow Tigerlilly Road for 50 m and cross over Riverbend Road. Continue along Tigerlily Road for another 260 m to Riverbend Road. Cross over Riverbend Road and continue on paved walkway on opposite side. Follow the footpath as it curves L (north) around the storm collector pond.”

Section 6 from the North end of Westdel Bourne – at 3.2 km

DELETE existing trail guide description entirely.

ADD “Pass through the opening in the cedar fence and continue down the open corridor towards the river for approximately 170 m (before reaching the outlet of the drainage spillway). Turn right (east) and follow the trail into woodland.” ”

Paul, standing where the trail used to go....from this point, if
heading east, turn onto Kains Road and then turn left onto
Tigerlily Road.

This short leg of our adventure may not have offered much in the way of scenery or a chance to mingle with nature, but I’m surprised to see that the length of this post is substantial nonetheless.  I guess it just goes to show that even the simplest outdoor excursion, on a spring day, can provide not only physical stimulation, but a mental one as well.  Good for the body AND soul!

This tree is defying the odds...notice the large gaping
hole in its trunk and it was developing another
set of buds!  It was located on the cemetery property.

Into the Woods

Date of hike:  Sun. April 15, 2012              

Weather:  16C at start; 21C at completion, partly cloudy/sunny with
                   off and on light rain showers                                                                                                                                                                                             
Duration of hike:  3 hours 46 minutes

 Section:  7—from Woodgate Place and Timber Drive, into Warbler Woods ESA and

                  6—from Warbler Woods entrance on Commissioners Road into Kains Woods to
                        Tigerlily Road and Riverbend Road

Distance:  14.4 km            Cumulative distance:  147.1 km

The sights, sounds, and smells of spring were abundant as we left the city limits and headed back onto trails that lead us into the woods and along the river’s edge.  While the paved bike paths made for an easy go, it was good to return to a more natural setting.

The mild winter and early spring brought the trilliums out ahead of schedule.  Normally they wouldn’t be making an appearance for at least another month, but they weren’t waiting any longer.  This seemed to be the weekend that they were making their debut in southwestern Ontario as we spotted numerous patches along the trail. 

Skunk cabbage, another regular player in the spring foliage, was popping up everywhere in the low lying areas as well.  We also spotted some trout lily and yellow avens.

This stretch was a bird watcher’s paradise, as we saw and heard the calls of many different species; the shrill cry of red-winged black birds, the aggressive warning of blue jays, the melodic tune of golden-winged warblers, the jack hammer rat-a-tat-tat of woodpeckers , and the harmonious sound of cardinals.  That doesn’t even include the water fowl that we saw on the river which included various types of ducks and Canada geese, of course!

With the exception of only a couple of road crossings, most of this section took us through Warbler Woods and Kains Woods on the west side of London. 

 I remember when developers wanted to build homes along the Thames in the Kains Woods area a few years ago.  There was a lot of opposition to this plan, for fear of destroying Kains Woods or damaging its natural state.  While the development has, no  doubt, made an impact on the area,  it appears there has been a compromise that allows some of Kains Woods to keep its location along the river’s edge.  This includes the path of the TV Trail as well, and that is a wonderful thing!

The gentle rain that fell from  time to time, while we were out, definitely helped to enhance the green smell of the earth as we tramped along.  Is there any fresher scent than that?  If only I could capture that in a photograph!  Someone should invent “scratch & sniff” technology for computer screens….then that could come through in these images. J  In the meantime, the next best thing is to just get out there and on the trails!

This is a good section to observe the geological formation known as the Ingersoll Moraine.  A moraine is a long narrow ridge of land that was created after the glaciers retreated and melted.  Left behind were piles of rocks, gravel, and soil that helped to shape much of the Thames Valley region.

The first official hike of spring was through a perfect setting for this time of the year.  Paths that wind through wooded groves with their buds breaking out, high up on the river bluff offer much for the naturalist. 

There were a few climbs, up and down the bluff, but the reward at the top was always a panoramic view of the Thames.  I think it’s safe to say that this section of the trail would be enjoyable to hike from an aesthetic point of view, regardless of the season.

Halfway There!

Date of hike:  Sun. March 4, 2012             

Weather:  -4C (wind chill -10C), partly cloudy and light flurries                                                                                                                                                                                    
Duration of hike:  2 hours 30 minutes

Section:  8—continuing from parking lot at Springbank Gardens Community Centre on Wonderland

                      Road to Commissioners Road west of Halls Mill Road, and

                 7—from Commissioners Road and Halls Mill Road to entrance into Warbler Woods ESA at

                      Woodgate Place and Timber Drive

 Distance:  13.2 km            Cumulative distance:  132.7 km

On this leg, we continued to make our way across the west end of the city, much of it through London’s Springbank Park. 

The trail, for the most part, still consisted of paved bike paths, especially through the park itself, allowing us to maintain a quick and steady pace.

Like the previous trails through the city, we have been this way many times before, either cycling or running.  Springbank Park is well used by the citizens of London.  The day we completed this leg was no exception.  There were countless individuals walking, running, and biking, of all ages, in spite of the chilly day that it was.

Looking upstream, along the roadway of Springbank Park,
toward the dam.

Springbank Park’s origin began in 1878 as “Chestnut Park”, a popular destination for city dwellers looking for a country-like setting for a picnic.  Over the years, the park has evolved and transformed itself many times.  But it has always been an idyllic natural setting for people to enjoy the outdoors. 

The original pump house, that had once taken in river water for the city water works, still remains standing at the east end of the park.  This quaint little building shared its site with a small hotel long ago, as this spot also served as a ferry terminal from the city which is up river.

The half-way point! Woo hoo!!

At the far west end of the park, we passed what is officially the halfway point of our little adventure!  

The Thames Valley Trail used to begin at this point, but was extended further southwest to connect to the Elgin Trail.  This happened in various stages; first, to Kains Woods, then to Komoka Provincial Park, and finally through Delaware to terminate in Talbotville, where the Elgin Trail begins.  One could go from the Elgin Trail, continue along the Thames Valley Trail, hook into the Avon Trail which then connects to the Grand Valley Trail and then eventually access the Bruce Trail in the vicinity of Acton Ontario.  Quite the trail system indeed!

Leaving Springbank Park, we headed out into the streets of what was once the small village of Byron, located on the western limits of London. 

St. Anne's Anglican Church--in the village of
Byron--circa 1853

After making our way through the neighbourhood streets, we made our turn around point just at the entrance to Warbler Woods, another ESA within the city’s limits.

At the turn around at the entrance to
Warbler Woods

Going through a green belt in the
neighbourhood streets of Byron

Our next leg, or the beginning of the “second half”, will take us into some unknown territory and back onto wooded trails.  We’re looking forward to that, especially as spring weather is just around the corner!

A trumpeter swan in the ponds just outside of
Storybook Gardens, located in Springbank Park

One of the numerous squirrels that inhabit the park

 

Paul, perched on a large boulder, at the side of the Thames