Back from the lake. Got lotsa pics, and a short vid, of that trail area, the woods, the tire tracks, etc.
Got some life to deal with, so I'll get em up later. As for the tracks, they are still there, there is a worn, 2-track "lane" that coincides with what is seen on the Bing maps. Amazing! I've been by there so many times, saw the entrance the other day, and still wouldn't have known until I walked back in there myself. Looks like a little-used lake-side access. I could tell a vehicle had been in there recently when I went before, so my suspicions remain, but its not as if the vehicle would have been completely bushwhacking - there is a path for vehicles there which leads to a bit of a clearing, next to the lake, still separated from the trail by the fence, but reachable by walking around the fence nearby. Found trash that I would have suspected would be picked up by LE if they did an intensive search, such as two beer cans recently discarded just off the trail, three energy drink cans all discarded in one spot (got pics), an old glove on the trail (got pics). There was other trash/debris around to indicate the spot gets used much more than I obviously know about, but everything other than what I mentioned appeared to have been there quite a while or at least since before the last rain. Also, its possible the stuff I saw got there since this incident (but what searchers would just leave trash in the woods at this point?).
In some ways my concerns were alleviated, in others they were amplified. I called in what I saw to the tipline again, just to be safe. We (tip-line lady) discussed that we both assumed those woods had been completely scoured, but she was going to "pass my info along."
We stepped off that stretch of trail. From where the fence begins (police tape was tied to it there), to the gate by the jetty, was 175 paces, another 35 paces to the other (west) end where the trail opens back up. My daughter raced through the spot on her bike in about 5 seconds. She rode casually through in about 20 seconds. We passed one lone male biker, who went by w/o eye contact, who later turned and passed us again. He gave me the willies,tbh. Then two other couples on foot. Then a group of 4 ladies that appeared to be 3 generations, on bike, all mentioned just to give an idea of the trail traffic. I was wondering if any other Sleuthers were there knowing I was headed that way.
Spoke to my mother on the phone, who DVR'd the FBI presser. Her impression was also that they (FBI) have a feeling they know much more than mentioned. Current boyfriend was apparently mentioned (probably discussed here - I'm not caught up at all since my last post) and the fact that he may have been arrested. I know nothing about any of that, but might be able to find out. Not sure how appropriate it is.
K...life's callin. Hoping for a quick end, and we have renewed optimism here at our house.
