Commentary by Emily:
10 hikers started from the Trailhead of the Porridge Lake Trail and continued along gravel roadway to the old dump site. We saw a lot of activity from gravel trucks near the entrance.
The ATV trail through the dump site was mostly dry. We followed this trail to a clearing near Pearson Dr.
In this clearing there was a large boulder with messages proclaiming loss and eternal love.
Different hikers had ideas about what the meaning. Did the person mean he/she missed a beloved dog?
Was it a special place where two lovers used to meet? The mystery continues.
We returned to the Porridge Lake Trail and some of our number stopped to do the exercises posted along the way. A lunch stop was enjoyed at the picnic table on the south side of the lake.
There was a large off leash Rottweiler with its owner in the clearing at Terry Fox Dr. Thankfully, it was friendly and the owner had control of it.
We continued along the shoreline checking deadhead logs for turtles. Some people were lucky enough to see a painted turtle before it slid back under the lily pads.
No one stopped to buy cabbages or carrots from a roadside vendor parked along the Hwy 108 portion of the trail.
Good day for a hike.
