I wasn't about to let this beautifully blue and sunny spring day pass by without a walk in the woods.

So after work I tossed a few things into my day pack and crawled along through thick rush hour traffic on Forest Avenue to Riverton Park.

I'd never visited the Westbrook River Trail and figured, why not today?

I parked in the parking lot just opposite Riverton Park, as I had for previous trips there. But this time I noticed several "No Parking" and "No Trepassing" signs along one edge of the lot.

Hmmm, I thought. A bit concerned, I checked my Portland Trails map, and there it was, a big "P" for parking right there where it should be.

So be it. Tow me.

And I headed off down the path.

It was an interesting start, as the trail led downhill to the Presumpscot River and underneath the bridge where it promptly ended.

Hmmm, again.

I scrambled up the rip-rap onto the road, hustled along with the cars, and dashed back across near Dunkin' Donuts.

Along East Bridge St. I passed the PWD pumping station, but found no trail.

A bit further on, I ducked down into the woods and came across a two-wheel track that led along the river. This had to be it.

And so it went. I never did find any trail markings, but the map clearly showed I was in the right place. So I kept on plodding along.

It turned out to be a pleasant walk along the placid river. Just me and the ducks. And an adventurous mountain biker plugging through the mud on the opposite side of the river, who passed with a big wave.

The scenic Westbrook River Trail hugs the banks of the Presumpscot River.

I continued on the soft and often muddy path through piney woods and fields and thick brush. With the stacks of the SAPPI mill in sight, and my way blocked by a high fence, I decided to call it good.

Under an evening sky fast turning to pastel shades of pink and blue, I turned off the track onto a powerline and out into the streets of Westbrook. And in darkness navigated my way back to East Bridge St., lit up by the headlights of passing cars.

I was tickled to find my car still there in the parking lot when I returned. Given that I now didn't have to shell out a $100 to the City of Portland for a tow job, I headed to nearby Tortilla Flats to spend some of my bonus cash.

A terrific combo plate of beans, rice and tacos and a couple of Dos Equis pints later, my hike was officially complete.