First of all, I would like to thank our superb guest bloggers who have offered their literary and photographic gifts for the past two hikes.  Much appreciated and many thanks.

Now, without further ado, and with apologies to Dr Seuss, here is today’s blog:

One day, hanging loose
On the Trail that’s named Bruce
Came a North-Going Group
And a South-Going Troop.

The North-Going Hikers

The North-going hikers were ladies so fair
While the South-going hikers were suave/debonair,

The South-Going Hikers

And it happened that both of them came to a place
Where they bumped.  There they stood.
Boot to boot.  Face to face.

They stood there, not budging

“Look here, now!” the North-Going Hiker said, “I say!
You are blocking our path.  You are right in our way.
We are North-Going Hikers and we always go north.
Get out of our way, now, and let us go forth!”

North-Going Hikers facing and pointing in the only direction they ever go: NORTH!

“Who’s in whose way?” snapped the South-Going Bloke
“We always go south, making south-going jokes.
So you’re in OUR way!  And we ask you to move
And let us go south in our south-going groove.”

Then the North-Going Zax puffed her chest up with pride.
“I never,” she said, “take a step to one side.
And I’ll prove to you that I won’t change my ways
If I have to keep standing here fifty-nine days!”

“And I’ll prove to YOU,” yelled the South-Going Male,
“That I can stand here on the rugged Bruce Trail
For fifty-nine years!  For I live by a rule
That I learned as a boy back in South-Going School.
Never budge!  That’s my rule.  Never budge in the least!

But I’m pleased to report on the end of this tale
They learned to relax before they grew stale
They drank scotch, prosecco and pink lemonade
And that is how new hiking friendships are made!

South-Goer extending the Scotch of Friendship

Co-mingling of the zaxes!

South and North-going hikers share the trail!

Thanks to all the Zaxes of all persuasions.  It was a beautiful, perfect day for hiking and we were happy to share it together.

What a beautiful day it was!

Okay, not everyone was happy.  These hikers were pretty peeved when they found out that they couldn’t hunt!

Dejection! Disappointment! No hunting!

And these hikers were devastated when their cool, refreshing swim in the river was cancelled.

Not much of a swim in this river!

 That’s all folks!  See you in October!