Tuesday, September 23, 2014

John Conner Nature Preserve (Trails and Scenery)

In my last post about the "Nature Preserve", I was a bit verbal about the situation at hand. Today 9-23-2014, I met with some friends to walk the trails and photograph a positive aspect of the park. 

Also, it looked as if someone had been down there cleaning up a little bit.
THANK YOU to whomever took it upon themselves to do this.

When you first enter the park to the left will be gravel parking, and a sign that says 
"Walking Trails Only".
These trails are for pedestrian traffic only.
No vehicles, bicycles, cars, just humans walking through the woods. 

The trails are wide open and very clear. There are paths that come out by a river bank, to the main lake, and to the alternate parking area. (The area next to the path entrance.)



Don't worry about getting lost. 
Once you walk the trails a few times, you will know your way around them. There are signs pointing you in the direction you need to go. However, a few are laying down on the side of the trails. I am sure they will be repaired soon.





As you can see the trails are VERY wide and neatly mowed. 
This makes for a very pleasant and comfortable walk.






Once again, we are still in town but transported away from it all, if only for a moment.
Follow the trails to the left to take yourself to the River. There is a river edge that is accessible via the trails. The view is great, there are tree roots that make terrific seats, and it is shaded. This is most definitely a good "rest stop" if you're walking the trails for exercise and over long periods.

If you see this view below, then you are at the "rest stop",





There are also hills, and tress that go on and on for miles. The trees, the sky and the light all come together beautifully. 

The following pictures were taken at "The Rest Stop". 










There are benches to rest at as well.

The trails are designed to be very relaxing and calm.
Some people walk their dogs on the trails. My personal experience has been that all of the dogs were friendly. I have even photographed a few of them. 
(I like to photograph random dogs)



In the middle of an open area sits this GIANT tree.
Towering over anything and everything around it.



A Random Monarch is spotted.




As we're walking you start to see more and more signs that summer is gone.
Today was "officially" the first day of Autumn.





The trails are fairly quiet, relaxing and welcoming.

There are benches, picnic tables, and areas to sit, talk and unwind.
Bring your guitar, a picnic lunch, take the kids for a walk, photographers bring your cameras.
Get out there and enjoy this now before winter sets in and we have to wait 3 months.

BEFORE YOU GO:
The woods are shaded so the temperature will drop once you enter the trails. There are spots that are open and the sun shines in, pending there isn't an over cast. Bring a jacket if it is already cool outside. Also, if you are going to be walking for awhile, bring water. One or two bottle should do for a 2-3 hour journey. Wear some sort of insect repellent, I heard dryer sheets work against mosquito's. The bugs aren't always a factor, but it is better to be prepared. Bring a back pack, stuff all this stuff int it, and you're good to go. 

If it isn't for you, you can be back to your car in 5 minutes from the river "Rest Stop".
(Map coming soon)








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