First few wildflowers to start off my #WednesdayWalk by 
Wild raspberry bloom
Wildflower #2 Daisy
Wildflower #3 Forget-me-not
This week I went for a walk in the Salisbury Town Forest. The Salisbury Town Forest was included in the original town charter from the Queen in 1761. Over the years the land has been used for many things but had mostly fallen into disuse. The Town of Salisbury recently approved some funds to properly survey the Town Forest. Some of the local landowners were encroaching on the land even putting up Posted signs for no hunting or trespassing.
As a part of the surveying project, the local Salisbury Conservation Commission volunteered to develop a trail.
The trail head has a couple of parking spots and a kiosk.
The trail starts through some heavy undergrowth.
But gradually opens up.
The trail was cleared nicely and is well maintained.
A fun bonus to #makemesmile!
A childrens book is posted - two pages at a time - at intervals along the trail. What fun!
Here is a link to the author and book.
https://ashleywolff.wordpress.com/tag/when-lucy-goes-out-walking/
I remember reading this book to my kids. I think my parents bought it for them.
A sign at the end of the trail explained the Story Walk program. Gotta love small town Vermont. What a wonderful initiative 🙂
Back to the trail and the walk. It is well marked throughout.
Nice mostly Aspen canopy 🍃
Some boggy areas led to me wishing I had put on some bug spray.
The red trail was a short spur leading down to Halnon Brook.
A unexpected bench awaited. Two actually but one is behind the bushes in this photo.
I felt obligated to take a short rest and re-hydration break.
The brook was quite peaceful.
I must admit my trip was partly motivated to check out the brook for brook trout. Just a scouting trip. I didn't bring any fishing gear. I haven't fished any yet in Vermont but am curious because I fished many summers in Colorado growing up.
Some evidence of beavers but nothing active I could find.
Nice undercut bank which often is preferred habitat for trout.
I was a bit off trail at this point chasing my youth lol or at least chasing unseen fish 😁 Log crossings are harder than they used to be 😅
The trail crossings were all quite easy and well done.
Back on the trail, here's a view of a possibly still active beaver dam.
And another bench to watch for any construction activity 😉
I couldn't resist another short excursion off trail.
Beavers and trout are closely linked. Beavers slow down streams and create nice habitat for trout.
Back on trail heading away from the second rest stop. Even in rural Vermont you have to chain down benches 🤦♂️
A final view of the trail leading along a ridge between mature trees.
Thanks for joining me on my #WednesdayWalk. The Story Walk was an unexpected find of the kind that really #MakeMeSmile 🙂
