By the river

The Dunk River flows into the Summerside Harbour and a hike along the Dunk had long been on our To Do list. On the last good weather day last week, my husband and I ventured along the return walk of 7km, etched along the shoreline of the river, the fast flowing water a rushing soundtrack for the distance. You can hear the river here.

The area is home to one hundred year old trees, hemlock and yellow birch primarily. With trees that old, the wind can cause immense damage. 

In addition, early spring in the forests of the island is primarily grey since the leaves aren’t prepared to greet the cold. Yet, the trail was starkly beautiful.

Undergrowth in some areas of this trail consists of Ground Hemlock, a type of yew which is harvested for taxanes used in cancer treatment. This yew provides an uncommon green for this time of year. 

Two sections of this trail give hikers the option to walk along the water’s edge or a few meters inland. 

We tried both, switching to the other when the going was rough. The sound of the running water fills the river valley.

We spoke to a number of anglers along the river. 

The Dunk River is one of the great fishing rivers on the island and anglers were enjoying time on the river during one of the first few days of the season. It was a long winter and time outside is precious now.

Water striders on the river in a few locations were the only insects we saw. They were close to the river bank which made them easy to spot. For striders, walking on water is a reality.

We will walk the Dunk River Trail again when spring has a firmer hold and the leaves are beginning to grow this time next month.

Bonshaw moments

The field at the beginning of the trail was a source of joy for the golden grand-dog. Off the lead, she ran, jumped and hopped around the field which we had never seen her do before. 

While my husband and I walked the winding path through the field, Georgie managed to prance around its length. 

Her joy was palpable. I understand the feeling. 

When we entered the woods at the bottom of the field, the trial was covered in leaves. The sound of the crunching leaves made this walk different from most of our walks among the Bonshaw Hills. 

We had never visited when the leaves were underfoot as they were this day. Snow keeps us off these trails and the snow is later than usual this year. The crunch and shuffling leaf sound as we walked was nature’s rhythm section come to life.

I thought I would miss the leaves from overhead but such was not the case. The sound underfoot was welcome but so was the leaf covered undergrowth, in all its rustic-coloured glory. 

Interspersed with the ferns which are still thriving, the forest floor is enveloped in fallen beauty.

In several places, ground hemlock looked like its needles were diamonds, formed by the sun instead of the earth.

Along the trails, trunks of the trees were more noticeable now without the distraction of the leafed canopy.

Above, where leaves previously resided, now each twig has its chance in the sun. The white of the birch trees is always impressive!

We had a picnic in the park and watched as this unusual insect braved the 10 degree C temperature. 

It too was lucky the snow has stayed away so long this year.

We walked again after lunch and as the sun dropped lower in the sky, the shapes of the tall giants around us took focus. Everything about trees is magnificent.

It was another day when nature gave me a sense of well being. It lifted my spirits and spoke to my soul. I know exactly how Georgie felt in that field!

Acadian forest

We are always looking for new trails and we found one close to home this past week. The John Hogg Trail is off the Confederation Trail in a neighbouring community of Kelvin Grove, just twenty minutes away. My husband and I looked forward to exploring this trail and it did not disappoint.

The small section of Acadian forest is located in the midst of farmland. 

It is a mature forest with hardwood trees at the start of their fall colour and beginning to shed their leaves. It was a perfect time to visit.

The trek into the forest winds its way through a field which is slowly progressing into forest.

Georgie, the golden grand-dog enjoyed rolling in the scent of some previous visitor to the area.

The height of the trees was impressive.

In some areas of the forest, the canopy darkened the forest floor. 

The colours overhead varied from green,

to a mix of greens, reds and yellows. 

In other areas, light shone through to abundant undergrowth. 

Ferns were in various stages of colour 

and young seedlings added touches of red and yellow to the forest floor.

Ground hemlock is a healthy undergrowth in this forest too with patches of it spread throughout the area. There is a clearly defined patch of the hemlock in one area.

                                 The patch of ground hemlock is dark green.

Some tree trunks look old. 

Some have curious growths.

One trunk grew around barbed wire.

Various birds calls, such as those of chickadees, bluejays and others we didn’t recognize, filled the air. We didn’t see any of the birds in the high canopy however.

This trail is not frequently used, judging from the condition of the pathway. It provided us with an hour of natural enjoyment, breathing in the fresh air, absorbing the sights and sounds of an unspoiled area close to home

We walked back the Confederation Trail and had our lunch at one of the many picnic areas along the trail. We looked over the countryside as we had our tea and sandwiches and Georgie munched on her snack. Another perfect day!

The yew

Every now and then my husband and I come across a plant/tree which is unfamiliar and sparks our interest. Such is the case with these evergreen branches that grow out of the ground rather than grow from a stem or trunk and grow tall. This is the Canadian/American yew also known as the ground hemlock.

This is not the same plant which killed Socrates but it is toxic nonetheless. This coniferous hemlock, unlike the famous herbaceous kind the ancient Greeks used to kill condemned prisoners, was used by the Indigenous people of North America in their herbal medicine to treat rheumatism.

Today, ground hemlock is harvested from May-August on Prince Edward Island. Because most all of the plant is toxic, the harvesting is regulated and harvesters must be trained and licensed. The plant is used in the production of the anti-cancer drug Taxol and other similar drugs. 

This plant is part of the underbrush in the forest and is easy to overlook. It resembles fir branches growing out of the forest floor. 

It is so much more however. Because of its toxicity, it gives hope to millions of people with cancer. Ironic, though not Socratic irony. However maybe Socrates himself would stretch the definition in this case.