forest

Papa’s World – Hiking Sweet Run State Park.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We did a family hike of just over two miles through the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

The hike consisted of some open trails and then into the woods with slippery wet leaves and small rocks.

You had to be on the lookout so you would not slip.

The last 1/2 mile was uphill and burned the muscles in your legs – at least mine!

Most of our current walking is level and your knees and upper leg muscles come into play on this type of hike.

So – for Sherry and I – both 74 years old – pausing became normal as we walked uphill –

and not slipping and falling onto a sharp rock!

On one of the level parts of the path!

You can see the rocks you had to watch for!

This area was settled in the mid-1800s and I think the stone part of this old abandoned house may come from that era!

We had I think thirteen of us – here you can see some of them – I did not get any pictures going up the hill as I had to concentrate and not trip or slip!

A very large old tree lying alongside the trail and Bode standing by it!

Bode taking a rest as the others catch up!

Thanks for following PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – HIKING SWEET RUN STATE PARK WITH THE FAMILY!!!!! HGD!!!!

Papa’s World – Walking the path around the pond – at Cameron Woods – “INTO THE WOODS”!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

In my last blog – you could see “WOODIE” sunbathing!

The resident GATOR of our pond although people have seen two of them in there!

In case you missed the last blog – here is WOODIE!

Now – we are walking into the woods full of Carolina Pine trees and Living Oak Trees!

Sherry heading to the bend and up a small grade and then into the pine needle-covered path!

This section is kind of scary even in the daylight!

When you get in there – the path is orange colored from all the pine needles.

Great cover for COPPERHEADS!

Although we have not seen any of the snakes – other people have – but we did see a large black snake!

And it was on the black gravel path just before the bend on the path straight ahead of Sherry.

Sherry enters the path and forest.

She watches the trees and branches while I watch the ground and sides.

I have seen several deer back in here – never any snakes but this area has them!

You can see that you do not want to go off that path – at least we don’t!
It is also much cooler in here and on a hot day a welcomed relief!

This is all protected land and will not be clearcut.

It is quiet in here – just the sounds of the birds!

And quiet also when you walk on a bed of pine needles!

Coming to the end of the path through the woods.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – the next blog finishes up the walk around the pond.

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Papa’s World – next blog – “Trails end around the pond”!

Papa’s World – Planted mums – arrange the patio and – fire in the Solo Stove fire pit.

/ Tom / Leave a comment
This area is protected – conservation and wetland.

We selected this lot because of the wooded area and these woods will not be cleared out!

So – we have tried to go natural – planting Oleanders – and flowers that come back each year.

Bird feeder – and more plants to be added as we see how it goes.

The Solo Stove fire pit on the open patio.

We have been buying small bags of wood at various stores – plus picking up dead tree limbs.

Now – we tried burning pine combs – of which there is an abundance all around the community.

We generally start the fire in the early evening – still light out.

By 8:00 pm. we are done and I let it just burn out with the red coals.

Mums along with pine straw.

We have not seen anything in the woods other than a squirrel.

But I have been told to watch out for snakes!

We do have Copperheads in the area – and down the road, by the pond, we saw a large Black Snake!

I am ever watchful – always looking around – wild turkey and deer are also around.

To the right is the covered – enclosed Lanai – with the open patio in the center.

Our lawn is not large – normal size – and we did not want a large lawn to take care of!

Being we both are retired – and we sold all our lawn equipment – I have the lawn mowed every two weeks!

I have also had the landscaping done – and in the Spring will have fresh mulch!

The Solo Stove flames – a couple comfortable seats and a few beverages – an evening on the patio.

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – MUMS and SOLO STOVE – fire in the pit – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

We are located here from NVA – loving the weather – no snow – no ice – mostly blue skies – and sunshine.

Tower Garden – flowers – chairs – Solo Stove and Sherry.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD – ( PAPA’S WORLD)