Springing Up!

Want to come for a ride through the woods with us?  Todd came in from his walk yesterday wanting me to join him for a little ride down to the creek.  The Ides of March ushered in warm temps -- near 80's -- yesterday and it was the perfect day to take the golf cart out and explore the trails.

The trail to the creek is called "Beech Bottom Trail" for a good reason!  The beech trees keep their light, silvery brown leaves until their new spring growth comes in.  Their leaves are just starting to fall and every time a light puff of breeze hits the air, their leaves dance and swirl to the ground.

This first dip in the trail is always wet.  Todd and I figure there's a natural spring that runs somewhere there, though we've never found it.  It's not just puddle water because minnows live in it year-round.  It's gravel bottomed, though, so it's easy enough to drive through.

Looking up the little creek you can see where it runs down and around the trees and their roots.  I love the sound of water trickling through the trees!  We think it empties into the big creek.

Every time we roll through it, you can see the minnows swim up and away from our wheels!

This little plant caught my eye.  I've never seen it anywhere but here . . . I'm not sure what it is.

But whatever it is, it sure is prolific!

The closer we got to the big creek, the more we started to see signs that spring is here!

Wood violets are so darling . . . as are the pretty little white flowers.

Those little white flowers looked like fairy dust gracing the grassy carpet.

Poor Todd!  We'd roll a couple of feet and then I'd holler for him to stop so I could snap another photo!

Anyone know what these are?

Just around the bend from the creek, we spied these beauties:

I only found two sets of these sweet little blooms, but I *love* their colors!

 I also found a couple sets of these dainty little blossoms...

We've had a LOT of rain lately and it's apparent from this run off from the creek.  In the dry summer months, this is a gravel bed.  But when the creek rises, it naturally overflows into this little bed.

It was such a lovely day!  The grass is so green ... and you can see my fairy flowers on the other side, too!

The water was moving pretty swiftly ... I could sit there and just listen to it for hours.

There's just a hint of green leaf buds on the trees.  In another couple of weeks, it will be very green and dense in here!

As we headed out, I spied another . . . flower?!  I've never seen a plant like this, either.

But once I'd spied the first one, I saw them all over the place.

I'm not sure if that center is a flower or not ... it's not what I think of as your traditional bloom, but that's what it looks like it.

As I went through editing my pictures from this trip, I realized these were in a lot of my photos.  I just hadn't notice them until I saw the one with the very purple center!

Other than dandelions, these were the only little yellow flowers I found:

And Todd spied this little fellow, out enjoying the sun!

On our way back to the RV, in the woods close to the pavilion, these pretty native Bradford Pear trees are in full bloom.  It's fun to look down into the woods and see them all over the place.

The two peach trees out at the camp are also in bloom.  These are such pretty little flowers!  The two trees themselves are not in great shape -- they'd been left to themselves for a long period of time and could really stand a good pruning.

 

We also drove down to take a look at the fig bushes.  They are greening up nicely and we hope to have another bumper crop of figs this year, because fig freezer jam is the BEST!

As we drove around the figs, a little movement caught my eye . . . 

 Todd backed up and got a little closer so I could catch a shot of this handsome fellow, soaking up the sun.

He only stood for us being there for a short time before he shot back into the safety of the bushes.  He didn't need to worry about anything with me!  And just so you know, I'll take a black racer over a black widow ANY day!  :)

I love this spot ... it's a grouping of about six HUGE cedar trees.  Even this early in the season, the temperature difference under their shade was noticeable.

It can make up to a ten degree temperature difference to be in their shade!  Great spot for a lazy summer afternoon picnic.

I leave you with one of my favorites . . . 

 The wisteria is starting to bloom out!

It smells so good!  I've always wanted to have some, so it was such a sweet surprise to find it our first spring up at the camp and I look forward to its reappearance each year.

Storms are due in today.  Hopefully they'll clear out before our campers are due in this afternoon.  Thanks for taking the tour with me.  Y'all come back now, ya' hear?!  Or better yet, give us a call and explore the camp ground for yourself!  Set up a day for a spring picnic ... check out the camp's calendar on our website.