On Tuesday morning, July 21, Bruce led the Rambles crew on an adventure along the Periwinkle Loop and Trout Link side trails — rain gear optional, apparently, because nobody had any.
As Bruce puts it: “We all got drenched in a rain downpour, but it did not dampen the spirits.” (It did, however, dampen everything else. Socks. Snacks. Morale, briefly, until someone remembered we’re Canadian and this is basically a Tuesday.)
The Link connects the Periwinkle Loop to the main trail running east to the Harmony Loop — and along the way, hikers pass a local celebrity that most Avon Trail hikers have never even met: Sam the Bear.
Sam lives quietly on the Link Trail (see the arrow in the photo below, in case you walk right past him — several hikers reportedly have). He resides in an area logged from the property plantation, possibly back in 2022, where a logger with genuine carving skills looked at a leftover stump and decided “that’s a bear now.” No permits, no committee meetings — just one person, one chainsaw, and a vision.
Sam has never once complained about the rain, never asked to join the Rambles group chat, and has yet to miss a single Tuesday hike (on the Link side trail).
I have attached some additional photos of hikers with Sam taken on past side trail hikes.
If you haven’t met Sam yet, the Trout Link is calling— say hello to Sam for me and take a photo.
For more fun and wacky adventure, join us Tuesday mornings for a Rambles. See the website for the meeting location.
(All photos courtesy of Bruce)
Tom Kimber – News