Sooo…my emtb was in the shop for a day having work done on the front brake lever assembly after I unintentionally got up and close with Bruce the spruce.
All is well now after performing a shakedown ride this morning along the Bench trail. With the mild fall temps we’ve been experiencing, my hope is to hit a few mountain trails next week before it’s too cold or God forbid, starts to snow.
This is a municipal sign that was recently erected and which partially blocks the local Bench trail indicating that no entry is allowed beyond as it encroaches onto private property. As you can see, most just ride or walk around the sign and carry on regardless, including myself. As I reached the top of the bluff further on, a gentleman and his dog arrived on scene and I asked him what his thoughts were about the sign. He indicated that he was a personal friend of the landowners and that they had granted him permission to enter onto their property. He went on to say that most who still use the trail are upstanding people and the sign was a result of a number of incidents involving a few bad apples that led the owners together with city to put it in place. Some folks were blatantly cutting down trees, clearing native shrubbery, littering, and even creating their own trails without consent from the land owners who apparently (from what I was told) don’t have an issue against those of us wishing to continue using the trail in a non-destructive and respectful manner. So, I guess that still gives me the provisional green light (more or less) to prowl this singletrack until the time comes when I am unable to do otherwise.
The bench was built in dedication to woman named Debbie. There are no other details about her other than the date of her birth and passing which is scrawled in the backrest. Perhaps she also rode this trail indicative of the single cog screwed into the wood which encircles her name. A memory book under the bench allows for anyone who wishes to leave a message to do so. Whoever did build it put a bit of thought into its construction and likely hauled the materials in by foot. I can only presume that this was a favorite spot where she enjoyed hanging out perhaps watching the calming waters of the tributary below or the trees changing color as each season passed by. A very nice tribute IMO and something that everyone who walks or rides by can share and appreciate.
Looking towards the north, an aerial view of the Red Deer River....
…and to the south with the waterway at Three Mile Bend Park just off to the right.
My rocky perch atop the highest point along the bluff. The trail exits (drops down) a few feet from the left of the bench.
Further down the trail (after a steep descent) and well below the bluff along the rivers edge is a favorite hang out of my own.
Heading back home in time for lunch.
Taking a cue from
@RandallS ‘s conical structure up on Nose Hill, this teepee that I pass on my way home gets put up every year in the backyard of this school for special needs children. As a kid, I always wished that I could have a sleepover in one. Perhaps it’s not too late.
