Everyday Living

The 250 Acre Wood

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Outdoors, Spring

 “Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.”
I Chronicles 16:27

Happy Thursday dear friends! We are off on a different kind of adventure today. Last Saturday, Butch came in and said he wanted to show me something he thought I would enjoy seeing. The problem was, we needed to go about 1/2 mile over some rough terrain. This did not sound like a trek I wanted to attempt on foot. So, I agreed to jump into the Arctic Cat for a ride through the 250 Acre Wood that is directly behind our house. It turned out we saw a lot more than I bargained for, and I decided to share some of it with all of you. It reminded me of those days 30 years ago with Winnie the Pooh and his ventures into the Hundred Acre Wood. Seth had to watch the episodes at least a million times! And of course we are once again spending a lot of time with Pooh since he is one of Ella Mae’s favorites. I suppose another million episodes are forthcoming.

 

The creek flows into the river not too far from here but an area the boys call “The Swamp” lies between here and there. In rainy times the area can stand in water and then become very muddy over a wide area. A fun place for 4-wheelin’. Wood Ducks love it too!

 
  Mix a dead tree, rain, and wind and you might end up with a natural bridge. All the elements have to be just right!

  It appears our local beavers have started a new residence.

  Butch and Seth discovered some beautiful wild azaleas while out looking for a turkey. They didn’t find a gobbler but just getting out in the woods is a great experience and something the boys love! These azaleas are what Butch originally wanted to show me. They were beautiful and worth the effort to get there! (The ride to this particular spot was routine for Butch but a bit unsettling to me)!

  Various shades of pink were evident from the different plants. Some blooms were spent and others at their peak.

  A group of azaleas were near the top of a ridge that was very steep and not easy to climb. The Arctic Cat sure made it easy!

  We loved the colors on this one!

  It seemed this one had spent blooms, new blooms, and yet to bloom buds all on the same plant.

  Wood decay fungi thrive on the moist dead fall. 

   A lot of different types of fungi exist in the moist shady areas of the mature woods.

  One trail dead ends at the Coosa River. It’s a neat place to camp.

  Another view of the river along the way. We are downstream and only a short boat ride from the Weiss Lake power house dam.

  Wildflowers are prevalent this time of year and identifying them can be fun, but also a task. We’ve not attempted to identify this one.   Another species that maybe some of our readers who are botanists (or just wildflower enthusiast) can identify for us!

    One of our favorite “roads less traveled”!

  An Oak Leaf Hydrangea in it’s first year. We spotted quite a few of various ages along and near the creek.

   A secluded “green field” that deer, turkey and other wildlife seem to enjoy!

  A reminder that we should reflect on the beauty and wonder of God’s creation!

  Passing the creek crossing once again and it’s time to head home.

 Not very often would you find the two of us on the Arctic Cat out on a trail. We decided to capture the rare event on camera! Thank you for taking this stroll through the woods with us. Maybe you have a favorite outdoor spot to visit?   

 My blogging friends and I will be sharing another edition of Floral Friday this week!  You will definitely want to drop by tomorrow for some flower therapy!

  Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Petit Haus, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,  Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm,  The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Jodie Fitz, The Design Twins, Happy Nester, Modern Glam Home, Shabby Fufu, Designthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country

 

Comments

  4. Adventure with great views! Is that your property, Pam? That first wildflower looks like a type of oxalis, and the second (paler) one looks a lot like an anemone variety, based on the petals and leaves I can see. Gorgeous outing and photos!

    Reply

    • Thanks for helping us identify the wildflowers, Rita. This property backs up to ours and it is completely wild. Butch and Seth see after it for the owner. There is a very tall ridge, I would love a house on the top. It has a gorgeous view of our Southern Appalachian mountains and the river. Seth spent a lot of time in these woods with Butch as he was growing up. They still spend every Saturday four wheelin’ and checking on the deer and turkey population.

      Reply

  5. Beautiful photos Pam. The wild azaleas are striking against such a backdrop. As a young girl, I loved to wander in our woods looking for wild flowers and sometimes sitting against a tree trunk and taking it all in. I felt like I had been on your road less traveled..it had a familiarity. I used to love to four wheel in places like this. Such a wonderful trip with you.

    Reply

  6. What beautiful scenery! You were smart to hitch a ride, that does look like rough terrain, and the wildflowers and pops of color from the azaleas must have been stunning. Sounds like quite an adventure!

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  7. I’m so glad you brought us along! The wild azalea are simply to die for. I’ve never seen the wild ones. And I loved the fungi and sweet purple flower, the peace of the woods. It sure looks like a Pooh place to me! Lovely!

    Reply

  8. I looked in a Southeastern Wildflower book I have and could not find the two flowers. The leaves on the first one do favor the oxalis family as Rita suggested.
    I find books and online pictures lacking for indentification. Bloggers pictures are better.
    Great ride in the woods.

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  10. Oh my, those wild azaleas are most beautiful! In fact, all of your photographs are breathtaking! What a fun adventure you had! Thanks so much for taking us along! You made me think of my youngest son, who is now 8. He loved Winnie the Pooh. He carried a stuffed Pooh everywhere he went, and it looked well loved. Oh how I miss those days! Happy Thursday, sweet friend!!!

    Reply

  11. Love the your area, it reminds me of Pooh. Loved the wild Azalea-so beautiful. We had so many bushes in Ca., but they don’t grow here; either do Crepe Mrytle’s or Dogwood. I love seeing God’s creation through your eyes. Thank you for sharing.
    Have a great Thursday.
    Noreen

    Reply

  12. Awe, lots of beauty to behold. God is amazing at how He created such beauty. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    Reply

  13. An excellent walk through Mother Nature at its most beautiful moment.
    We will never be grateful enough for the goodness of God in providing these landscapes.
    I really liked seeing the forest inverted in the reflection of the water … The mushrooms in the wood of the tree … the humble beauty of the wild flowers … Everything very beautiful.
    I see that Butch looks very good, I’m glad he recovered in such a short time. Your photo is very pretty
    Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I’m going to Ireland! What a thrill….!!
    with love

    Dolores

    Reply

    • Querida Dolores, muchas gracias por tus amables palabras. Le deseamos un viaje fabuloso a Irlanda, disfrute de toda su belleza y su gente amistosa. Por favor tome muchas fotos y espero que blogge sobre su viaje! ¡Seguro viaja nuestro amigo! ¡Con amor, Pam y Butch!

      Reply

  14. Love this post. It brought back memories of my grandmothers farm. Us children were left to wander through the woods, make play houses, climb trees, swing on grapevines and sometimes falling into the creek. All of this was really tiring for me and I remember falling asleep at the dinner table and waking up the next morning, fully bathed in the bed all safe and sound. Oh to have the energy to walk the woods again.

    Reply

  15. Beautiful post, Pam. It is amazing how much your woods look like West Virginia. Although, our wildflower time here is usually mid May. This year may be later, we can’t seem to leave winter behind.

    Stunning photos and I enjoyed seeing the work of your local beavers. Along the river where my husband grew up, they have made quite a dam. They are such industrious and amazing creatures.

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful adventure !

    Reply

  17. I enjoyed our journey together into the woods! I had some hot tea & banana muffins ready for you, when we returned! Lol!

    What a beautiful Azalea! ♥ I haven’t seen one like that before!
    Jennifer

    Reply

  18. Such a lovely walk in the wood… We still have snow so can’t get back into the our forest .. but the deer certainly make themselves known…. Today the sun is shining so there is still the HOPE of Spring here (ha Ha) .. Right now we’re anticipating the sounds of the ice breaking on the rivers …This was a delightful post … and I truly enjoyed viewing the wildflowers …It was a BEAUTIFUL journey ..Thank You.

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  22. Stooped by from Between Naps on the Porch, the bottom paler wild flower is a wild geranium, base on the flower and the leaf. Beautiful property Being in the woods restores my soul.

    Reply

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