The Magalloway River Trail in Wentworth’s Location is a favorite place for a walk because it is nearly level and weaves among the trees in a large circle that includes many varieties of standing and downed trees, views of its namesake river, a small gazebo overlooking a backwater pond, and a grassed strip down the middle that leads to a small swamp that is mostly dry.
One time we overlooked the dawn-to-dusk rule and carried lanterns along the trail for an enchanting walk among the darkened forest for a fairy-tale-like experience punctuated by the calls of owls and the hint of activity by other creatures of the night.
I’ve lost count of how many dogs we have brought along to experience the hike through the years since we discovered the well-maintained trail. Each has enjoyed the chance to discover the animal smells and follow the scent trails until halted by our calls to return or the pull of the leash.
I don’t think any of those dogs has gotten as much enjoyment from the variety of scents as Lemon Magnolia, our Leonberger whose nose seems to rival that of a bloodhound. She stops at every bush, stump, or patch of leaves to inhale as much information as possible about the creature that had passed there ahead of her, including the direction of travel so she can follow it in hopes of catching up.
A trail has to be well-traveled by humans, though. When we attempt a neglected trail, Lemon Magnolia is full of hesitation and keeps indicating that she wants to turn back. She distrusts areas frequented only by wild animals she does not recognize. The deeper into those woods we go, the more she wants to return to the main road.
This past weekend, when Lee and I returned to our riverside cottage to complete the last of our fall winterization projects, we brought the dog along on a chilly-but-pleasant walk along the Magalloway River Trail which this time was covered by fallen Tamarack needles. They created a yellow-brown mat over the surface that made the winding path appear to be a natural version of the yellow brick road.
Indeed, the trail presents an opportunity to experience a different world from what we encounter on an average day. The fresh air, the slight scent of blue spruce and balsam mixed with fallen leaves, and the moss-covered forest floor propel us into a blissful world where normal cares do not exist.
For Lemon Magnolia, the Sunday walk gave her an opportunity to meet another dog with as mild a disposition as her own. A woman with a black Labrador retriever overtook us on the trail, and the two dogs had a moment to stand face-to-face with tails wagging before parting company. Usually, when she meets another dog, both become agitated, as Lemon wants to play and the other dog does not appreciate the unwanted attention, or it wants to assert its dominance with growling and barking — either of which makes our dog get a little crazy.
As we walked the last stretch along the grassy central artery, the unseen birds surrounding us — including chickadees which have been rare the last few years — sang cheerfully, and a squirrel scuttled across from one set of trees to the other with Lemon Magnolia barely taking notice.
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