Hike Leader: John Nourse
Hikers: John N, Karen N, John G, Jim Douglas, Joanne, Dorothy, Bill H, Diane
The hike began at km 4.2 on the White Trail. It was a sunny day as we began our hike on the Blue Upper Canada Heritage Side Trail. The beginning of the trail was the old New York Central Railway bed.
The cinders underfoot gave us a clue as to its former purpose. The day was sunny and warm with above seasonal temperatures and humidity. We encountered many large white mushrooms growing right on the trail, some almost as big as a basketball. Sumac, shrubs and wild grape vines created a narrow tunnel like trail as they closed in on both sides. Crickets and cicadas serenaded us as we walked.
We emerged from the narrow trail at Line 9 and began walking past orchards and vineyards.
It was easy walking as the grassy trail ran parallel to the road. Some of the nectarines still hung on the fruit trees, but as the trees were already picked they left the small hard fruit behind on the trees. But on the ground beneath some of the trees were large nectarines that proved to be a delicious treat to those who tasted them.
Arriving at the cars, four of us preceded to the Angel Inn while four others retreated to pick up the other vehicles left at the start. Karen and Jim returned with their vehicles but Bill and John N had to attend an executive meeting and missed a nice lunch.
The Angel Inn has a bit of history attached to it. During the War of 1812 a certain British Captain Colin Swayze delayed joining the British retreat to rendezvous with a young woman. Hiding from the Americans in a barrel in the basement of the inn, the American soldiers used their bayonets to probe every hiding place. The Captain received a fatal wound and his ghost is reported to still haunt the Inn. It is said that he will remain harmless as long as the British flag flies over the Inn.
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