Bearing Check

I pulled myself up onto the weathered cedar rail of the trail fence just beyond the car's front bumper. The gravel turnout was quiet. Embedded in the top of the fence post was an embossed aluminum trail marker, its stamped arrow slightly off-center. One of the mounting screws had backed out a couple of threads, leaving the metal disc loose enough to pivot. I braced one hand against the rough timber grain and nudged the notched rim with the toe of my sneaker until the arrow aligned straight down the dirt path. From up here, the entire lower bend through the pines is mapped out.