Wednesday Walkers The Wednesday Walkers stand at the base of a white pine during their hike of Canal Path in Searsmont. The camera is only able to capture about one-half of its height. The slope at the right of the photo leads immediately to the canal remnants.

We met on Wednesday, Oct. 3 just before 8:30 a.m. on Belvedere Road in the parking lot of the Friend's Meeting House. By 8:40 a.m. we had all introduced ourselves. We had a fine morning - sunshine and mild temperatures.

The Wednesday Walkers had never been to The Canal Path just south of Searsmont, so we were looking forward to a new and interesting experience. We were not disappointed.

To start the hike we walked back on the bridge over the Georges River (at this point, the word "creek" would be more appropriate) and turned left toward the kiosk. There we found a very well made and detailed map of the hike we were about to start. Additionally, there was an ample supply of well-written brochures which gave further information about the eight nature and history stops along the path. It was clear that the Georges River Land Trust had done high quality work with the kiosk and the brochure.

The length of the hike is about two miles round trip. The trail is well marked and easy to follow, although there are several parts where footing is tricky. The first part is very close to the Robbins Mill complex, but you would scarcely know it as the woods are thick and the stream nearby. Wouldn't know it, that is, until you begin to cross a clearing and note a pipe in the ground. The brochure (station 4) explains that creek water is piped up to the mill where it is sprayed on logs to keep them cool and to reduce a fungus known as "blue stain." The water then goes to a holding pond where sediment settles to the bottom. Then the water is returned to the stream through an open rivulet.

Soon the hikers came upon the first remnants of the canal that was built more than 150 years ago. The hike threads the artificial hill caused when the diggers of the canal deposited their diggings between the canal and the Georges River. Since the canal only lasted a few years and was not a commercial success, trees have grown there, and some are quite large.

At the end of this section of the old canal the trail forms a loop that runs along the stream, affording several close-up views of the waterway and leading us over new terrain on our return trip to the parking lot. For the last half mile we retrace our steps.

Wednesday Walkers is a very loose knit group. Anyone who shows up is welcome. We meet every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Friends Meeting House, just � mile west of Route One on Belvedere Road. Bring a friend or come alone. We enjoy walking and exploring a variety of locations in this beautiful Mid-Coast area of Maine all year long. Join us if you think you'd like to do the same. For further information, contact Jack Brown at 563-3827.