Welcome to the month of June!
The weather here has been absolutely beautiful for the most part.
Usually by this time of year in NC, even before summer officially arrives,
it is really hot and humid and pretty much stays that way until fall.
~
This week, my Friday morning excursion took me to a park I had never visited before.
Great Bend Park is located on the Haw River,
which extends 110 miles from the piedmont to the coastline of NC.
I arrived right around 8:00 AM and there wasn't another soul in sight.
I thought for just a fleeting moment about me being there all alone...
and then I forgot all about it.
Risky? Maybe.
A gentle breeze whispering through the trees accompanied by the songs of the birds
were the only sounds to be I heard as I walked along the trail.
Follow along with me, won't you?
I will tell you though, that I was just ever-so-slightly distracted from my gorgeous surroundings.
I kept glancing down at the ground...and not just because of the bumpy trail.
I had read a review of the park and this one comment in particular went something like this...
"Beautiful place to hike but watch out for snakes."
😲
Thank the good Lord, I saw not a one.
Risky? Possibly.
Not really very smart? Some might think so.
I wasn't on the trail very long until I began to hear the river up ahead.
This might be where the park get it's name...Great Bend...just guessing.
Up a bit further, I came to the dam where I stepped up onto a stone retaining wall to see the falls.
Oh...no worries...there was a ledge to keep me from falling over the edge,
although I could have jumped if I'd have wanted.
I may have an adventuresome spirit, but not that adventuresome.
And then I saw something(s) moving on the very edge,
w-a-a-a-y over on the far side of the falls.
My trusty zoom brought them closer and closer.
I was shocked that they were standing so close to the edge!
I stood there and watched them for what seemed like forever until they finally took flight.
Of course I had put my camera down by then and missed that shot.
So whatever you may think about my somewhat risky hike,
all alone.........except for the unseen snakes...
...this is really what I consider living on the edge.
It was a lovely hike and no doubt I will be returning.
Next time I just may take Jim with me...
...but I'm not making any promises. 😉
I'm sharing with Maggie at...
Mosaic Monday
Mosaic Monday
What a beautiful place. I am also surprised to see the geese to close to that edge!
ReplyDeleteYes, please take Jim with you. 🤓 Course you might have gotten some very exciting photos of snakes or snakes in the grass. That scene of the path stretching out before you looks like quality header material.
ReplyDeleteWOW! WOW! WOW! That is a beautiful park. I know that being at a place like that alone may not be the wisest thing to do,but not going along those trails would not have been an option.Oh,and you weren't really alone.God was with you and now I get to walk along with you and enjoy the scenery.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave woman. But look at the results! Beautiful shots. You have a good zoom lens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place for walking. I would have loved to walk there. I am a lone walker and wouldn't haven't thought a thing about walking there alone. I've walked in all sorts of places for YEARS and have never had a problem.
ReplyDeleteAnd like Ruth said, God walks with us. : )
What a beautiful place for a walk. I'd be nervous about the snakes, but would risk it, I think. I enjoy walking alone (or with Tim). Those geese standing on the very edge of the dam must have strong legs to withstand the rushing water.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful place for a walk with wonderful scenery and wildlife but even just reading about your solitary hike made uneasy so next time, for my peace of mind, please take Jim!
ReplyDeletePlaces like that just calm my soul. Oh, if you want to see any snakes come on over to my place.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly took us on a beautiful stroll along with you, stunning! It was lovely to see the geese too, now that is what I call, living on the edge...
ReplyDeleteSuch a peaceful looking spot. Felt like I was there. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness . . . those geese. What a great photo op!! (I am glad that you didn't find any slithering creatures to photograph. I'd have to click away. Or at least scroll past very quickly. ~shudder~ )
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along on your lovely walk.
Well I certainly enjoyed taking that walk with you! Soo beautiful. But HAD you seen a snake! Oh my...I honestly wish I could be that adventurous...but just isn't in my nature. So I am glad you are and your willing to share.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful trail this is, Debby. My goodness, those geese are right on the edge of the water. I'm surprised the waterfall didn't swoop them over. But it looks like a light waterfall. These are some very pretty pictures, Debby, and don't ya just love the zoom-in lens? I have a pretty good one with my Canon. : )
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will return to this pretty place soon. I've been wanting to take a drive in the country as well.
~Sheri
Beautiful location! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Thanks for impression of these geese!Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteYou take the best pictures, Debby! Those geese sure must have some good footing, right? I love hiking, and would be right there with you, if I lived closer.
ReplyDeleteNothing can match God's creation.
ReplyDeleteHi Debby, Such a gorgeous place to walk and enjoy the Lord's beautiful world. Those geese are the risky ones! lol All of your pictures are amazing. Thanks for taking "me" along.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a beautiful spot! So thankful you found it and had that time there. Your photos are just amazing, as always! Thank you so much for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Debby! I finally pulled myself away from Instagram to visit your blog and get the full story. This is a wonderful post! I'm glad you didn't see any snakes, but that doesn't mean they weren't there. ;) That's what my husband always says, anyway. This place looks like it's worth the risk. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteDebby - your shots are beautiful. With the first shot of the geese (with the circle), I thought you were going to show us goslings. But this is even better. What a wonderful discovery! I also really liked your second shot with the sun coming through the trees - your reward for going so early!
ReplyDeleteOh Debby, I love your living on the edge! How beautiful are these pictures that you captured! The geese....amazing! Girl, I must admit, I am petrified of snakes. Any kind! My nerves would have been shot worrying about seeing one. But, I must say, that your walk took you not only to the EDGE but also to the beauty that God created. Maybe, just maybe, those geese just happened to be there that day, at that time, just for you! Happy Day my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteOh my, thoses geese are amazing! What a fantastic post, my friend, and seeing this beautiful trail makes me want to go hiking today :)
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs to you!
And this is the rest of the story! I saw the geese on Instagram. What a great shot! That looks like someplace that I'd LOVE to walk, snakes or not. Well, as long as the snakes were friendly. Beautiful post, Debby!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos indeed, and what a great landscape. Greetings!
ReplyDeleteThe path looks like you are headed into the enchanted forest. Once upon a time this would have been something I would have loved to do. But now...only with someone else. I'm just a scaredy cat, I guess. Or maybe I read too much. :) Your photos are terrific, Debby, and I'm glad you made it back from your walk safely!
ReplyDeleteI just loved all of your photographs ... the walk, views and the geese, just amazing.
ReplyDeleteA most beautiful post.
All the best Jan
Oh, Debby, I would love to visit this place. I loved the pic of the geese...that you posted on Insta Gram, but oh, how I loved all of this.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so beautiful! Everything! I used to wonder if I should go certain places alone too. Thankfully, I never regretted it. And look at those precarious geese!
ReplyDeleteWow!! What a beautiful place!! Your photos are amazing! Living on the edge of adventure... Glad you didn't see any snakes! (As we just killed one right out our door) now I remember why I don't like summers on the prairie!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your hikes, alone or not! ;)
Hugs, Amy