We were "blessed" with 4" - 6" of snow last night, which made the woods a bit slippery but very beautiful. I ventured out to McLean Game Refuge to run along the North Trail, the Firetown Trail, and then the Westledge Trail into the Old Village of Pilfershire.
On the way back down Westledge, I wandered off along what once was an old road, to the northwest. I can't remember exactly when I was last in there, but I did recall a serious of really large cellar-holes and foundations up on a flat area before a steep bank. These are not recorded in the Pilfershire information I've been able to find, and with snow on the ground it seemed like a great day to explore.
I found the remains fairly easily, and much of the old path was still evident, as long as you've been in there before. It came back to me, and what I recalled was on my last visit, maybe more than five but less than ten years ago, was that it was summer time (I remember large areas of fern everywhere), and we (Tippi and I) followed some distinct old trails beyond the foundations before we finally gave up.
One thing that occurred to me between yesterday and today, is that I enjoy McLean a lot because each time I am in here, I meet up with several friendly dogs. Today, I had two run at me (separate occasions) to say "hello", and I rubbed them hard on the head and ears. They seemed very satisfied, and it made me smile. Owners always look nervous and apologetic for the dogs racing toward me and jumping, but I tell them it gives me pleasure "...as long as they don't bite".
I'll post some photos of the foundation area in the upcoming days, but for now I have some pictures of a "perched" rock just above the Westledge Falls and a topo map of the route. Finished the day with 8.3-miles.
