A New Year and a New Trail at the Loyd Place

There are a few 30-somethings that may think

this new trail at the Loyd Place looks familiar.

And it should, for Jennifer, Amanda, Taryn,

Kenneth, Elizabeth, Grace, Rachel, Sally, and Jane.

Possibly others.

Because this "new" trail was a favorite play spot

for many of these kids back in the '80's.  The funny

thing is, it never was part of our property.  But it

is now.  You see, for decades, Pinehurst owned a

wide swath on the west side of the Murdocksville

Road (in addition to the right-of-way) which was

their bridle trail.  Since 2000, we've acquired the

0.4 acre frontage that was once that trail.  And I've

been at work cleaning up the little corner where the

kids once played.

In this view from the road, you can see the drainage

ditch where water has NEVER drained!  It's odd.

There's a pipe under Murdocksville Road, but even

in heavy rain, no water comes through the pipe.  I

think it's been blocked or clogged since before we

moved here in 1978.

So the "dry" ditch makes a fun play place,

especially with a good carpet of soft leaves.

I've added this makeshift "ladder" so the 4 and

5 year-old grandkids can easily get up and

down the slippery banks.  There's also a knotted

rope to the left of the ladder by which they may

want to rappel up.  If a four-feet height qualifies

as a rapel.  

I need to do a little more cleaning of this

pipe before the explorers start crawling 

through, but I've blown out the leaves

that were in it.

It's plenty big.  Even I could crawl through

it in a pinch.  But if any kids get stuck, I'm

sure we can pull out from one end or the other.

I expanded on a narrow surveyor's path to

make a mini trail system.  Here's the way

to the "ravine."

This is a parallel "upper" path that comes

directly to the ladder and rope.

A large blackberry patch borders the trail

area.  I've begun to "tame" and prune it,

making a cut-through so we can access all

sides of the berry patch more easily.  It 

yielded some great berries for cobblers, pies,

and muffins last summer.

The blackberry patch reaches all the way

to the roadside.  And at its edge is a fine

little dogwood tree that has great possibilities.

And speaking of possibilities, I can't wait to

see ways the grandkids dream up to enjoy

this new play space.