The River Song LbNA #49149

I had the strangest dream last night, the faeries came to me on shiny, shiny wings and whispered of The River Song. I climbed on to a firefly's back and followed the faeries into the dark night. We flew over sleeping towns and villages and farther until we reached the fields and farms of Hereford. Dawn began to break as the wee fae motioned to a vast forest below. I thought I saw a glimpse of the Gunpowder River as we touched down at the head of a trail.
A Blazing Blue sprite giggled and ran down the path and vanished. Almost immediately, I came to a fork in the path. I was only a few steps behind the little trickster, but I didn't know which way to go.

What was it? A flash of blue to my right. Quickly, I ran along looking for more glimpses of Blazing Blue. I ran along the top of a hill, a deep valley to my left, I had to pass under a tree bridge, then over another and under another. I lost count of how many tree bridges I had to hop over, but I kept running, trying to keep that Blazing Blue in sight. I came to the trail's end. "Now what?" I wondered.

I leaned on a tall post that bore the Blue Blazing trickster's symbol.. and another symbol. Pulse racing, I wondered, "could it be the White thing to do?" A giggle from down in the valley hardened my resolve. I began to descend into the valley, following this strange, new path of white. The path was steep and I had to choose my STEPS carefully, step by step by eleven steps down into the valley.

The sound of trickling water met my ears as I came to a tiny brook. How to cross without faery flight? Ah, yes, simply ask the River to play its song.. The River Rocks rose from the water to aid me to the other side. Following this white path took me along the creek's edge. A tall, dead tree on the right yawned and stretched and then bowed low as I passed. I was expected, it seemed.

The path began a steep ascent to the Left, and I took a deep breath and began to climb. I passed a few legs sticking up into the air with leafy toes that wiggled and winked at me and then as I neared the Ferny Forest, I had to pick my way over a widespread fan of roots. I knew I had to be careful not to step on them, lest I disturb any
sleeping fae, tucked away. Two gnomes sat playing bridge on large stump in the middle of the path. I tried not to stare, but honestly, how often does one see such a thing. So focused was I that I nearly fell flat on my face as another fan of roots sprang into the path. The gnomes just snickered and continued their game.

I vowed to watch where I was going after that and after climbing over another log, I came to the 3 Trunked Tree Knight's post. I was given respite among those trunks and would have slept well into the day had I not felt a tug on my boot. Onward and upward, then. My white path curved to the right, and my heart hurt to see all the dead tree warriors, fallen from some long- forgotten battle. Little faeries weaved in and out of their branches, spinning glowing webs to trap tasty critters.

My white path curved again, to the left, this time, and I made my way through a dense mountain laurel thicket. I crossed over another log and noticed that the path began to narrow. The climb was steep, and I was tired. "It flattens at the top" the laurel whispered. Grateful for the good news, I continued on my way. The trail did flatten out, a bit. Thick, lovely, inviting moss grew on the left side of the path, and though I wanted to lie down for a rest, I knew I was close. A grinning, giggling sprite ran past me and motioned for me to follow.

I crossed another log and paced and paced and paced 14 times to a clearing on my left. She pulled me into the clearing and I paced and paced 15 times to a 20 foot tree
giant with no limbs. "My gift to you for such a long journey," said the gentle giant. I looked at its base to find another, long- dead tree with The River Song deep inside. I carried a piece of it in my little book back the way I had come, and suddenly, I woke up, in my bed, book clutched in hand.

Hastily, I turned the pages, and in the still morning light, my room filled with the lovely, lilting tune.. The River Song.



**NOTE**
Bunker Hill Trail, blue blazes (1.2 miles)
This trail connects the Mingo Forks and Gunpowder South trails. The trail passes through a parking lot,

located 0.8 miles west of York Road on Bunker Hill Road. A separate area for handicap parking only is

located where Bunker Hill Road ends at the south bank of the Gunpowder Falls. Here, concrete abutments are

all that remain of the covered bridge that once spanned the river. Built in 1880, the bridge was destroyed

by fire in 1961. The bridge was rebuilt in 1963 with the help of Amish craftsmen using traditional

handtools. This bridge also burned in 1971. A short distance upstream leads to picnic tables and a

seasonal comfort station on the hill.

Gunpowder South Trail (7.1 miles)
This linear trail is south of the Gunpowder Falls, extending the entire length of the Hereford Area from

Prettyboy Dam downstream to Big Falls Road. Although the trail is generally level, following the

riverbank, sections do require agility to scramble over large boulders and rough terrain. Two recommended

scenic segments of the trail are from York Road to Big Falls Road and Falls Road to Pretty Dam. The dam's

impressive face can be seen along the latter section of the trail, particularly during winter.

Construction of the dam began in 1924 and was completed nine years later. The dam was named for a farmer's

favorite horse, Prettyboy, who reportedly drowned in a nearby stream. Hikers can reach the base of the dam

and access views from the top by climbing a long set of stairs