Over the winter and early spring I managed to do a little research and also managed to get my hands on a copy of the trail guide (not real easy to come by). I've been taking a look at the maps and directions and yesterday I actually set out!
The TVT starts near Southwold, just a little southwest of London. The idea for the trail started in 1968 and over the years the sections have been worked on individually and then eventually all connected to each other. It is linked to the Elgin Trail at the south end and the Avon Trail at the north end. The TVT section is 110 kilometers long. My plan is to eventually have hiked the whole thing and, hopefully, will accomplish that this year.
Doralyn, my wife, and I arranged to have her drop me off at the beginning of the trail and the idea was for me to call her as I was nearing the end of the trail, to come and pick me up. The original plan was to hike the trail together but Doralyn doesn't do hot and humid and yesterday was hot and humid.
 |
| Me, standing beside the signs which mark the end of the Elgin Trail and the beginning of the Thames Valley Trail. |
Right off the bat, the first part of the trail involves hiking along country roads. I had taken the directions and the map out of the trail guide and brought them along with me and got to following them right away. After a little more than a kilometer, I was finally into woodlot. Before I got to the woodlot, however, I had to hike along the edge of a farmer's field. This was a common theme for the next four hours---country roads and farmers' fields, with the odd woodlot thrown in. When you think of trails you think of woodlands, mainly, but I would estimate that about three quarters of this first section of the trail is on roads and fields. I found this a little strange but at the same time I don't think you can travel all the way from Southwold to St. Mary's without hitting the roadways for good stretches. So be it!
 |
| The start of the TVT! |
In fact, I kind of enjoyed having the country road sections included---there were probably only 6 or 7 cars which passed me and much of my hiking time was spent in quiet contemplation of my pastoral surroundings. There is some kind of spirituality in the forest and there's a different kind out on the dusty roadways.
All in all, the 15K hike yesterday was very enjoyable, perhaps apart from the final 2K. At this point, the threatening skies finally darkened and opened up. I had about enough time to get my rain jacket out of the backpack and get it wrapped around myself. Unfortunately this only covered my top half. My shorts got drenched and the rain got inside my waterproof boots, which meant it stayed there. A learning experience for sure!
At this point, I am looking forward to tackling more sections of the TVT. Ironically, as I was looking ahead to the sections which pass through London I realized that my street is part of the trail! Unfortunately, as I was looking at the trail maps, I went back and took a second look at yesterday's section and found I'd screwed up---I'd made the mistake of only following the written directions and not the map itself. Because of this, I had missed one whole section of farmer's field. I drove past it today, trying to see where I'd made the mistake and there it was, plain as the nose on my face--I'd missed the "green gate"....Oh well, when it comes time to do the next section I'll just go back to the "green gate" and start over. And I can't wait!
 |
| Turning from Southdel onto Carriage |
 |
| Off of Carriage and off to see this big tree in the middle of a field |
 |
| Following along the edge of this farmer's field. This happened a LOT. |
 |
| At the edge of that farmer's field is where you go into the forest for the first time. This giant uprooted tree greets you there! |
 |
| From there, it's just a regular trail. Except for the two huge wild turkeys I scared the heck out of. |
 |
| After the woods, it's a trip through a cornfield and then you're on Bell Road, with hardly any cars. |
 |
| A scary tree, though... |
 |
| Off of Bell Road, through yet another field and you're into a forest with a cool wooden bridge over a ravine with s stream. |
 |
| This is the stream and the ravine. |
 |
| Stepping out of those woods brings you to a huge wheat field. |
 |
| Once again, hiking along the edge of a field. Very pretty though! |
 |
| A couple of turns and it's a different field with a different crop |
 |
| Eventually out of the fields and into the last woodlot. It was here that I vowed to pick up bug spray! |
 |
| After the buggy forest, you end up back on Bell, which takes you to Westminster Drive which then takes you to THIS intersection, Westminster and Carriage. You only get here, though, if you don't read the directions carefully or follow the map---grrrr! |
 |
| Carriage will take you to Sharon Drive which , in turn, leads you to Springer Drive and the end of the section! |
This is so cool, but all that tall grass makes me think about ticks. BLECH. I fear ticks.
ReplyDeleteI was a little freaked out about ticks as well, constantly checking for them. Got an MEC gift card for Father's Day so I went out and purchased spray and a first aid kit with tick remover pliers (although I've heard many different ways of removing them) As much as possible was able to avoid actually being IN the tall grass!
DeleteGreat work. I'm getting caught up with your blog over the next few days. This sounds like a great adventure! Love the pics!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Crystal, you have your work cut out for you! Will keep my eyes peeled for comments!
ReplyDelete