05/27/2026
Ben Hall first introduced Allen and me to the Hancock Pond end of the Narrow Gauge Trail in Denmark back in 2017--we'd always walked from Denmark to Bridgton or visa versa, but never toward Hancock Pond.
Today, the Trail Snails counted Lady's Slippers between the parking lot and the shortcut to the boat launch and found 26! I've been walking there for the past 3 days, and this was the most I'd seen.
A funny thing happened as we headed back toward the parking lot--I spotted a dark object just off the edge of the trail sitting on some dirt and an old stump. I recognized it immediately and handed it to Ben--an old railroad spike! They are harder to come by these days, but that one was meant to be! I gave it to Ben because I have several and this is his first. It was the perfect thank you for introducing what has become my favorite place for it always offers something different. Today--a bit of history!
Back at the parking lot, Ben showed me the Bench Mark because I'd forgotten its location and then he took off and I headed in the opposite direction--another mile to the snowmobile kiosk--because I wanted to count the Lady's Slippers on that stretch (yesterday 14) and take a photo of an amazingly tall Jill in the Pulpit! Yes, when Jack in the Pulpit had two sets of leaves, it is a female. BUT . . . I've actually decided to rename this one: Reverend Annette in the Pulpit! Outstanding!
Oh, and on that second stretch, 26 more Lady's Slippers, bringing today's grand total to 52.
And the bugs were not an issue at all. A few on the second stretch. It's actually a bit worrisome. What will the dragonflies and birds eat.
