From the road, the TARC property lacks curb appeal. As time goes by, we hope to improve this. But deeper into the woods, along the creek, our land has an almost magical quality. We've unearthed many treasures as we blaze trails and explore, such as multiple artesian wells, a working spring house, and the makings of our own secret garden.
@catherine813 and I spent the last few days clearing a walking trail so we can give the dogs additional activity. That girl is as strong as an ox! I saw her lift and move rocks that I couldn't even budge. The energy of youth--it never ceases to amaze. She shoveled mulch into a garden wagon, hauled it through the woods, hacked away at briars and brambles and small trees while I huffed and puffed and occasionally operated the weed eater. (We won't talk about her falling backward into a wild rose bush. No. We won't mention that at all.) She was the first to take a dog for a walk on the part of the trail we finished, too. She definitely earned that right.
From the upper porch of the house, the trail head is visible, but doesn't look very impressive.
From the parking area, it can't be seen at all.
But on top of the tiny hill, the trail head beckons: "Come walk me!"
The first small meadow is the site of our future rose garden. I can't wait to see them all in bloom beside the creek, once we get the sticks and clutter moved and the ground tended.
Past the rose garden, the trail leads further down the creek.
This is where Catherine and I started work today. Orient yourself using the small upright tree at the top left of this image.
Find that tree in the same relative spot in the following photo, and you'll see what we got done!
We worked on a little farther, around the corner to yet another artesian well that springs from underneath the roadway above.
Just beyond range of the last photo, the trail opens into a second small meadow. We'll start there tomorrow. Past that, we'll open the trail to an area of the creek we call "The Bend." The land makes a natural curve back toward the foot bridge. We'll have to move some earth and a whole lot of thorn bushes to get down to the creek, but the deer have cleared it out from there. The ground is covered in hoof prints near the water.
I'll post more pictures as we go. Hopefully we're close to having this trail completely open. My only regret is that our entire Steemit family can't come enjoy it with us!
Hardwork paid off! All it took was a couple women who set their minds to creating a trail for all the Arc doggies.
Yep!
Nice work, ladies! Something for the doggies to run upon, but nice for humans to walk on as well.
Wow! Nice! Now if only your township did open space stuff.... this is what my parents are getting--a trail built and maintained by the township, open to the public, in the back edge of their property. Township bought development rights to the whole property and the trail is deeded in now as permanent open space. Any boy scout troops in the area? Might be worth finding out if they have a kid wanting an eagle scout project. This work would be perfect for that....
I reached out to several boy scout troop leaders and no one returned my calls.
wonders about girl scouts. . . .
worth a try. their projects are less advanced and less prone to be natural but you can get lucky. i forget the names. something with silver and gold, i believe. i think there were two. i quit before the last one.
Well done! Nature healing for you and your furry babies
I would love to come try out the trail! I'm not that far, and summer's around the bend :D