Day 6, to Kentville. 50 Years in the making.

Thanks to my parents, I got an early start today, about 7:45, in Aylesford. The well-groomed trail continued, and I saw more walkers and bicyclers today. More fields and streams, lovely woods, and even bogs mined for peat were in my view. And a few towns, such as Berwick, filled with artwork. 

This walk, this long walk - a pilgrimage - was a long time coming. Just over fifty years, for me. Perhaps it started with my love of nature and the outdoors, which began in childhood. I might have been only ten or eleven when I first dug up plants in the woods to bring home, like Jack-in-the-Pulpit. For the first time this week, I found a nice one in bloom today.

There is no boring moment for me along the endless gravel trail up the valley. Every plant is a familiar friend, and every birdsong (though most go without me matching them to the right bird). 

I ended up beyond my planned destination today (Coldbrook) and went right on to Kentville. Ended up being about 29.9 kms. My pack was lighter and the weather was exemplary.

Picked up and taken to Wolfville, I got dressed up for a two-day gathering of the Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms. Here is something else fifty years in the making. I started taking part in this fellowship when I was about 21. Today, we are celebrating the jubilee, about eight months later than planned. 

Here, the host minister gave a talk about our past. It was a synopsis of the early history of this organization that has sought to uphold some Baptist traditions of freedom, free thinking, and support for those who seek to think 'outside the box.' Scott is preparing a complete history of the CABF, publication date somewhere in our future.

Speaking of the future, our presenters on Saturday will offer reflections on our present, and our furure path as a group of Christians of a particular tradition, in a world that has less and less interest of so much of religious tradition. But respect for other faiths and spiritualities must never go out of style. Openness to including people of diverse sexualities must grow. Expanding our thinking about scripture and the life of faith must continue.

So I will not be walking part of my pilgrimage tomorrow. Saturday will be a body break. It can rain all it wants. ;) There will be 'showers of blessing.'

 

Day 5, to Aylesford. Botanizing

On the way to Aylesford this morning (19.5 Kms, got there by noon.) I passed by some nice sand barrens and swamps along the Harvest Moon Trail. Plant enthusiast that I am, I took note of many familiar things, especially those in bloom.

Internet not being great in every stopping place for the night, I am posting my observations to iNaturalist in fits and starts. What is iNaturalist, you ask? An online platform for citizen scientists (like you and me) to submit data about living things. What we saw, and where, etc. Check out my observations here: 

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=jeffwhite

I truly enjoyed walking today near my old stomping ground, but along a trail I had never walked. It was a new perspective on Wilmot, NS.

So much was near my home all along that I never saw, until today. Tomorrow I go from Aylesford to Coldbrook. I will get as far as I can, depending upon my speed and my starting time. Tomorrow afternoon through Saturday afternoon I attend a special gathering in Wolfville that has been planned for years. Stay tuned.

Day Four, to Wilmot: Never Alone

What a beautiful day for walking! And it seemed like the theme was 'never alone.' The trail from Bridgetown east is well tended and well used. Met some friendly people along the way, and lots of familiar plants and birds. 

At Digby on Sunday I was presented with a stack of cards with words of encouragement and blessing, from the church folk. I pick a couple a day to have at hand in my pocket; each message is sincere, and sometimes fun. Imagine my delight when, near Paradise, I saw this hanging from a branch above the trail: 

A note, a bookmark, and pepermints, for 'Jeff in the Pulpit.' Signed only with a first name, I *think* I know who it is from. I left a little note behind for her. :)

Had lunch at 11:30 in Lawrencetown at Shakes On Main. Yum! Then made it to Middleton before 3. Stoped in to an ancestral burial ground (Pine Grove Cemetery), my home Baptist Church, and a friend's place to rest my feet and shoulders. Thanks Claire and Dave! I was just about to my destination when a dear soul from Digby Baptist was there, stopped on the side of the road, to greet me! It was a chance meeting, and a joyful and well-timed one. 

My parents had their trailer ready for me, and supper too, to enjoyvqith them. This happens to be in the back yard where I grew up, and my father before me. :) 

Wherever I roamed, frinds from near and far surrounded me. Even the track of at atv in a mud puddle seemed to have a message. 

Today, with a bit of wandering, turned out to be 26.6 kms. Perhaps this will be my longest day. Tomorrow, off towards Aylesford, and then back for the night in Wilmot.