The indigenous people have always known that trees have spirits within them. Two cedar log sculptures have been carved alongside the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Pic Seed Sun Shelter where the trail crosses Eldon Road, located south of Oakwood not far from Mariposa Elementary School.

Knock on the sculpture to awaken the tree spirit inside as the images on the two cedar logs symbolizes the spirit within the logs that provides uplifting energy, cleansing, protection, prosperity & healing.

Colin Partridge from Thornton, Ontario a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, an avid supporter of the Trans Canada Trail vision of connecting Canada together creating the longest trail in the world, did the carvings for the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.

colin partridge doing a cedar log carving

tree spirit cedar log carving showing a face

Photo of Colin using chain saw to create the tree spirit image by Al MacPherson

The trail heading west after Highway 36 overpass bridge leading into Lindsay has been blocked by construction at the end of Dobson Street sub-division – you will need to dismount you bike and walk to Dobson Street – remember KTCT continues to the left at Dobson and Logie; for those traveling east dismount you bike end of Dobson Street and walk to trail be careful. Plans are to have a temporary trail constructed as soon as possible.

bee box

Jamie Morris, a retired teacher and volunteer with Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, and students at Mariposa Elementary School built and installed Bee Boxes along the trail near Eldon Road, south of Oakwood, at the Pickseed Trail Access Point.

Al MacPherson and Wayne Alldred

Two volunteer awards were presented this year at the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Annual General Meeting December 2, 2013. Pictured above is President Allen MacPherson with Wayne Alldred Director and Treasurer who has decided to step down from the Board of Directors. During his five years with KTCTA he has provided excellent leadership, commitment and support.

Bill Elliot and Dave Birch

Bill Elliott Vice President KTCTA presents Dave Birch the Volunteer Award for 2013 for his efforts looking after the east section of the KTCT.

Ellen Woodward and Wayne Alldred

Ellen Woodward and Wayne Alldred were presented five year Trans Canada Trail Pins by President Allen MacPherson for their volunteer time with the KTCTA. Absent from the photo is John Hagarty and Linda Skelton who have contributed five years to the organization.

Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association Annual General Meeting. Everyone welcome to attend. December 2nd, 2013. Fleming College Lindsay Room 252, 4-5 pm. Amendment to Bylaw #1 Section 9.01 to be presented.

The 3rd annual Adventure Travel Festival was a huge success

ray zahab with al macpherson

Extreme Runner Ray Zahab (left) and Al MacPherson President Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.

By Marnie Callaghan

We met Ted and Katie Hannah while they were taking a break on an unfinished section of trail between Hastings and Campbellford. My husband, friend, and I were on a day trip. The surface was rough and it was tough slugging for us on our unloaded bikes. The motivation for Ted and Katie’s trip was just to have “a break” from Ted’s career as an engineer. Also, as a triathlon competitor he wanted to strengthen what he says is his weakest discipline—cycling. Hoping to find a companion for the journey, he looked to his five children, and twenty-three year old Katie, a student at Western, rose to the challenge. This is the first cycling tour for them both, and an ambitious one. Sticking to trails as much as possible, they hope to cover 1,500 kilometres from Kitchener to New Brunswick in three weeks.

For the most part they are tenting and will take advantage of Provincial Parks when possible. They have enough food packed for two weeks, but are happy to have the comfort of a restaurant meal occasionally. They have already put on a lot of miles and were really impressed with the condition of the trail from Manilla to Lindsay to Peterborough. And they were thrilled with the newly finished section between Keene and Hastings. “It was fantastic!” Katie said.

It is for amazing people like Ted and Katie that we need to rally together to complete the unfinished sections of the Trans Canada Trail. Let’s connect the dots and make journeys like this more appealing to more Canadians and tourists, too.

After a short visit we said goodbye and headed on our way, feeling sorry for the duo loaded down with so much gear. But about five minutes later we had to pull over to let them pass as they powered along leaving us in the dust!

The KTCT will be we conducting a vegetation spray program from May 20 to June 15. Herbicide spraying of roundup will be applied pending favourable spray conditions. The application of roundup will be conducted by a Licensed Sprayer. It is safe to humans. As a precaution the trail will be posted closed as the work is conducted. For further information please send your comments to our website.

The Fowler’s Corners and District Lions Club is a managing partner who has done a lot to keep the trail safe and in good shape between Highway 7 and Emily Park Road.

  • The trestle bridge is a major feature along this section.
  • Thanks go out to all the members of the Lions Club, especially Dave Birch.
  • Lions Community Hall 959 Meadowview Rd. Omemee Ontario

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