The last time Tim & I walked here was in October, eleven days before he died. We had finally got our hands on a good map of the maze of trails in Carolina North Forest and were excited to be more sure of the names of them. The leaves were still green. (see here: suspended)
This time my sister and her husband were my companions, but I walked a little ahead of them on this leg of Tripp Farm Trail, quietly talking with Tim, telling him how much I missed him and how sad I was that we missed seeing the autumn colors together in November as we had anticipated.
When we got to the place where Tim & I had turned around to retrace our steps, the three of us decided to continue following the trail. Much to my surprise, we eventually reached an intersection with the OWASA Corridor at the same bridge I came to with my friends back in November. (see here: remains of a colonial gristmill)
And now I’ve learned that the path I often follow in the woods along Bolin Creek near my home is called the OWASA (Orange Water & Sewer Authority) Corridor. Well, we learn something new every day.
Instead of going to see the colonial gristmill ruins we decided to take another route. We took the Glade Spur, which connects Tripp Farm Trail and Maytag Trail, which we followed back to the main road and the car. The three trails essentially made a big loop.
A couple of years ago, in November 2023, Tim & I found a little pumpkin sitting on a stone on the Wormhole Spur. (see here: moderate drought in the woods) I bet the same person placed another one here in this branch crook on the Glade Spur.
While on the Glade Spur a couple coming from the opposite direction said they had just seen a pileated woodpecker. It’s so hard to see so high up in these trees but a few minutes later I did hear one and then spotted it. The picture I got is cropped and basically a silhouette, but it will have to do.
Not sure how far we walked but we were gone for a couple of hours. We were exhausted when we got back to the car and wound up staying in to recuperate the next day, which turned out to be a gloomy day anyway.
A fine outing along some beautiful trails, Barbara. A bit melancholic without Tim, but as you carry him in your heart, he hears every word. 🙏🏼 💕
Thank you, Eliza. I have a feeling the urge to share new experiences with Tim will be with me for a long time to come. It’s so comforting. 🙏🏼 💙
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What a cute idea, putting that tiny pumpkin in the tree! A spot of autumn color and a feast for the eyes. I’m glad you got outdoors to enjoy nature’s beauty, Barbara. Yes, I can see that you must’ve missed your Tim, but I’ll just bet his spirit was walking right beside you, giving you comfort.
Thank you, Debbie. I did feel Tim’s presence there with me on the walk and it was indeed very comforting. That orange pumpkin stood out in the very bland landscape, and I appreciated the unexpected photo opportunity. It’s quite a challenge finding things of visual interest in winter time!
I’m glad Beverly and John were here to walk with you and help make use of the map you and Tim were so happy to find and planned to use to navigate for future walks, which sadly didn’t happen. I am sure Tim is there in spirit, cheering you on for continuing to find your way. I like the idea that someone is placing these mini pumpkins there and I’m surprised, like the last time, both pumpkins look plump, pristine and appear to have no bite marks in them. Either this is a regular/daily walker on these trails, or the squirrels have not yet discovered the tasty gourds.
I didn’t leave the trails (I’m still wary of snakes) to inspect the pumpkins up close but I strongly suspect they aren’t real, but some good-looking fakes, at least from a distance. I did feel Tim’s presence with me, which was comforting and sad at the same time. Grief is such an intense experience but I always feel better after a good cry. Having Beverly here to share my thoughts and feelings with was very healing for me, too. I’ve known her even longer than I knew Tim. We’ve been through so much together.
Ah, that makes sense why the mini-pumpkins have not been snatched up by a critter. I am afraid of snakes as well and I’ve been going through the photos taken in September and October and was surprised to find a snake in a tree. I have two near-identical shots, one with the snake, one without. I assure you I did not see the snake so I didn’t take a second shot for that, but it is a steep asphalt trail, so likely I thought I moved and blurred the shot, so I took it over. I never look to see how a picture looks on the camera. I’m glad Beverly and John came to visit, especially during this first big extended holiday without Tim. I am mindful that Thanksgiving is a holiday too, but it lasts only one day. You have many years together and many memories during a half-century of marriage … I can imagine that it is not easy for you Barbara. {{{ Hugs }}}
Thank you so much for the big hugs, Linda!! That snake must have been slithering along at a good speed if it was in and out so quickly between your camera shots! I don’t look to see how a picture looks on the camera while I’m out, either, and sometimes there are surprises when I get home and load the pictures onto my laptop. Lots of times some photos look better than I thought they might be, and sometimes they are blurry when I thought I got a good one. 😉
A nice walk full of discovery, and memory. Very nice on the woodpecker! I hear them but never have managed a photo.
Thank you, Karma. If I hadn’t heard this one I would never have looked for it so high up in the trees!
Seeing that little pumpkin was a big surprise. It reminds me of how Japanese decorate at Halloween. Not that they celebrate it, but they seem to enjoy decorating according to the season. I am sorry that your walk brought on some loneliness but hopefully nice memories outweigh the sadness. The autumnal foliage was a delight for me, as we don’t have much of that here where I live.
Welcome to my blog, Amanda! Thank you very much for your kind words. I took a quick peek at your blog and was delighted to discover that you are also obsessed with Scandinavia. I’m looking forward to reading your posts and getting to know you better.