Been off the trail for a long time and decided it should be okay if we brought our masks just in case we ran into crowds. Usually we don’t pass anyone once you get 100 yards from parking lots. The reservoir is a fishing and water fowl mecca and it was a beautiful day, so the lots were full but again, once you went off into ‘the woods’ there were few hikers. This section of the trail has a multi-purpose, wide pathway and seems very popular, but not even remotely as crowded as Lake View up here at Cleveland Hts on a nice day- probably because it stretches out along 7+ miles. Anyway, IT WAS NICE TO BE IN THE WOODS AGAIN! Saw and heard lots of birds, more so than usual, and many calls that were new to us. Saw many osprey, one up close and personal, egrets, loons, and maybe even coots? Saw much evidence of typical, as well as unusual, beaver activity. Nice stands of evergreens, picturesque peninsulas jutting out into the water, and marshes filled with the sounds of peepers. Just delightful! The only worry was the frequent patches of trees that were blown over as if by a micro-burst- some snapped off halfway up the tree. I will say that everyone we passed offered a warm and friendly smile, something that I have begun noticing during this crisis…I think we miss each other, even being strangers.
