Lady of Martin Creek Lake
by Jim Walker
12/29/01

     If you enjoy finding your way out of mazes, and like the feeling of being lost and confused, you will probably enjoy the Martin Creek State Park Bike Trail.  It reminded me of the movie Labyrinth.  Even though the trail has many markers, it crosses itself occasionally and intersects a hiking trail at various points, which on our first attempt became so confusing we decided to take to the park road to find our way back to the trailhead.  Before attempting the trail for the second time, Kahne and I were stopped by a man in a truck, who asked if we had seen two girls on the hiking trail, which we had not.  On our second trail attempt we came upon the two distraught girls, who informed us they had been hopelessly lost for four to five hours.  We could relate to that because we had found ourselves going in circles, turned around going back the same way we had just come, and riding down dead ends.  We didn't know exactly where we were or the best way out, but a gray-haired lady with a dog on a leash came along and agreed to lead the two girls out to civilization, so we continued our ride.  Shortly we encountered the man in the truck, who was now riding the trail on a cruiser bike in search of the two girls. He was also lost, but was relieved to hear about the woman with the dog leading the girls to safety.  He used his cell phone to inform other members of the search party, and headed toward where we left the girls.  We ventured on to more confusing sections and eventually became lost as sundown approached.  Fortunately, we somehow ended up where we left the two girls, and spotted the same lady through the woods. We finally reached her and she told us the way out.  It makes one wonder if that lady really exists, or if she is a spirit who helps people out of the Martin Creek Bike Maze.

Tyler Bicycle Club Website

Related Link