From Ada's Loop to the Bridge to Nowhere

Most of you know all about the Sandhills Farm Life

Nature Trail, which a hardy group of students helped

me inaugurate in 1985-86. Well now, there are some

pretty cool trails at the Loyd home, on some of the

most historic land near Pinehurst.

Thanks to the unending creative brainwork of our

daughters, Jennifer and Amanda, we now have some

explanatory signs on our home nature trails. These

signs are not educational, but involve some anecdotes.

So come along for a brief tour.

As you approach the trails, you'll see a
humble, slightly crooked cedar tree. We
call trees like that "Charlie Brown" trees.
About four decades ago, Judy and I found
a Christmas tree on this very property, long
before we lived here. So this tree, which I 
pledge NEVER to cut, is representative of
that memory.

Judy and I plan to put a couple of ornaments
on this little tree in the woods when Christmas comes.

Fifty yards to the east is a most unusual pine tree
that we've dubbed "Captain Hook." It's actually the
monstrous ROOT that gives it this moniker. Take a look.

Don't trip over Captain Hook!

Here you can see the giant tree AND its root.

Heading back toward the stream (Joe's Fork),
you'll see a sign for a side trail. It loops back to
the Loyd Christmas tree. It is named for Judy's
dear grandmother, Ada Wilhoit McKenzie, who
lived on this land all her adult life.

There are beautiful ferns, arums, and shrubs
all along Ada's loop.

Big Mama is one of the largest pine trees
in the forest, probably over 100 years old.

I can not nearly reach all around this tree.

Back on the main trail, you can't miss Medusa,
a unique Maple tree.

If you walk around the tree, you'll see Medusa's 
not-so-lovely face, and meet her petrifying gaze.

Medusa was actually named for her snake-like tangle
of roots.

If you get past Medusa without getting "stoned",
there are more sights to behold.

At sometime in the past, this dogwood tree was bowed,
probably by a storm. But it lives on, and has formed a
rainbow-shaped seat.

Near the Rainbow Bridge is this beautiful specimen
of Royal Fern, one of the less common varieties.


Many, many thanks to Jennifer and Amanda for
enhancing the trail experience for us and all of 
our hiking companions!