At 4 p.m. on Good Friday, I decided to walk the trail at the end of 11th Street in Spencer.

It was an amazing walk and I was the only person on the entire 45-minute trail.  I didn’t need a mask, and I could breathe as deeply (pant) as I wanted to breathe.  There was no opportunity to be exposed to or hear anything about COVID-19. Although the trail was wooded, I was still able to see houses through the woods.  I felt as if I were in a wilderness in the middle of a town. I felt very safe walking it alone and I actually felt healthier when I finished. After finishing the trail, I walked all the way to the opposite end of the woods and saw a sign that pointed straight ahead to 8th Street Park.

I walked forever and came out on 7th Street. Since there was no other sign guiding me, I came up through the back yard of Mark Brandt.  He said there was a problem with people coming through his backyard because there was no sign showing them where to turn off the trail.

I called one of the Spencer aldermen, Pat Sledge, and she came right out and walked it with me so she would understand what I was trying to explain to her.  That was very impressive and showed how much she cared about her town.

—Elaine Howle

China Grove