Tiger Dunlop

nn4103B Earl Plato
Dr. “Tiger” Dunlop was the name of the British army surgeon who was at the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814! The good Scottish doctor decided to stay in Upper Canada after the war, The city of Galt and Goderich were founded by a group of men that included “Tiger.” The beautiful town of Goderich was laid out by Dr. Dunlop. Go to the Town Centre and admire his foresight.
The Dr. Tiger Dunlop Trail sign said that it lead to a grove of oaks and the burial site of the good doctor. Ken and Norma, a little ahead of us, climbed to another level and announced, “Here’s the burial site of Dr. Tiger Dunlop!” Nestled in a grove of Black oak trees overlooking the Maitland River Valley was the final resting place of Dr. Tiger Dunlop. That was his wish. No easy place to reach for the general public. The train trestle was too far to reach this day. Return? Yes. I read that this is the farthest northern arm of Carolinian Canada. I was surprised that it said that the oaks found here were included in the Carolinian assessment. What kind of oak? Black oak. I researched it.
What goes up must come down. Try as they did to find a easier way down Bud and Ken resigned us to the walk back down those many steep steps. Knees, sore knees, but help was present. Bud allowed me to lean on his shoulder and we made it back down. It’s good to have a friend to lean on, eh. A good hike. Seniors keep rambling in nature in Ontario.
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Roy Healey of Niagara Falls came to our October 20th Bert Miller Nature Club Meeting. Roy was not alone. In a covered aerated pail was a snake. Not just any snake. Roy had on display before he released it later none other than a Northern water snake. It was a dark colour with splotches on its thick body. Non-venomous but an aggressive snake and not easily handled. Release place? perhaps Chippawa Creek or the Welland river. Thanks Roy for your snake lesson.