This is a dog’s treasure map to the best trails at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. What a great exploration it is! This map is overseen by its own dog guardian spirit. The map is carved into a tree that crosses one of the grass trails at the Preserve – one favored by people walking dogs….

…Just kidding. But it makes a good story!

Dog’s Secret Map

Actually, this is probably the result of activity by long-horned beetles called red oak borers. They find their food in distressed trees. The end result are these interesting patterns. And that is definitely a dog spirit guarding entrance to the walking path ahead! The large tree trunk is positioned so that people need to bow down to cross under – but dogs have free access!