Tag: #Colemanadjusting

FOWC: HOME

What do you think about when you hear the term home?

According to Wikipedia, Home or domicile is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or many humans and sometimes animal companions.

Do you have to have an actual house to have a home? Some might say you do; regardless of whether it be a house, an apartment or a mobile home. Still others would disagree. Myself, I would disagree.

One of my favorite sayings is “Home is Where the Heart is.” What does it mean by “Home is Where the Heart is?” It means simply that your home that your home will always be the place for which you feel the deepest affection, no matter where you are. Often times the place I have the greatest affection for has no walls at all. I am most at home in the woods surrounded by trees and the vast beauty of God’s creation out in nature.

Recently I have been living with my daughter and her son taking care of him 24/7. We moved a week ago from an apartment in Rock Hill, South Carolina to a townhome in Gastonia, North Carolina. Really only a little less than an hour away from where we were. Do I consider it my home? Not really. But maybe temporarily, since my heart lies with my grandson.

Moving from one dwelling to another can be extremely stressful. Packing, unpacking, all while trying to keep a three-year-old entertained can take a toll on a person. I know all too well. Especially if the move is not well planned in advance. I do not handle last minute decisions or moves all that well.

We are now in a townhome in a very quiet neighborhood unlike our last one which was very very noisy. Here no one live above us. It is so wonderful not to hear footsteps all hours of the night or day.

Coleman and I have been taking walks around the neighborhood investigating our new surroundings. Seeing what we can see and taking photos of interesting sights.

Coleman is still adjusting having only been here for a week and a half so far, however, I think he likes the new place so much more than the old one and is happier here being able to feel free to walk around, I know I do not know what I would do if I did not have him to love and share my love of nature.

Fandango’s One Word Challenge: Home

Photo Credit: Deb L. Waters

God Bless. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate y’all.

Founders Trail: Along the Catawba River

Yesterday, Sunday, 05 June 2022 we decided to try a different trail that I was told about on Saturday whil I was participating in the National Trails Day 1,000 Mile Challenge. The information was given to me by Debbie Zinsky Kiggans, the leader of the Anne Springs Close Greenway Hiking Club. She informed me about the Masons Ben Trail located in the Fort Mill area of South Carolina.

Following directions, we found the parking area to the Founders Trailhead, however, we did not locate the Masons Bend Trail. Afterwards, I looked at the trail map and it appears we did not hike far enough to venture off onto the Masons Bend Trail which appears to be a jaunt off of the Founders Trail.

Founders Trail
with my
hiking buddy,
Coleman

The Founders Trail is a 2.3-mile mostly natural surface trail provides connectivity between the Piedmont Medical Center Trail, (AKA Riverwalk), and the Masons Bend Trail. It follows a beautiful stretch of the free flowing Catawba River.

Coleman
taking a quick break,
on a bench
provided by Founders

From the North, users can utilize the trail parking at the end of Weir Court in the Masons Bend Neighborhood development. When you follow the trail southward, the trail runs along the River and provides a series of bridges and boardwalks. In various locations along the trail are strategically placed benches which allow hikers and other visitors to take a break and view the river. There is an overlook at the north end of the trail affording opportunities to be inspired by the marvelous views of the Catawba River. [We evidently did not go far enough along the trail, since we did not encounter the overlook.] The overlook area is stated to be around 1.9 miles into the trail. [We went 1.7 miles today before turning around to meet my daughter who just arrived at the trailhead.]

Views
of the
Catawba River

If one chooses to head north on the Founders Trail, it will connect directly into the Masons Bend Trail allowing the user to travel an additional one and a quarter mile along the river.

Views
of the
Catawba River
from Founders Trail

If one chooses to begin at the south end, trail users can utilize the trailhead of the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. Follow the trail north on Route 21. from there, the Founders Trail begins as a sidewalk along the Route 21 Bridge over the Catawba River. The sidewalk section runs for approximately 2000′ and transitions by making a “U-turn” to the right just after the guardrails and follows the old road back and travels underneath the Route 21 Bridge.

Views from the Founders Trail
Pump House and stairs
are across the river from our location

The Founders Trail consists of Natural surface, Gravel/stone, Boardwalk, Sidewalk, and Pavement. [ we never encountered the sidewalk or pavement on this hike.] The Trail is located both in the Rock Hill and the Fort Mill areas of South Carolina. The difficulty level of the Trail is designated as easy. [It was fairly easy for my two-year-old grandson.] Dogs are permitted on the trail with a 3-foot leash. If you choose to bring your dog, be sure to pick up after them. Remember to Leave No Trace, what you pack in, Pack out with you.

The Founders Trailhead has no restroom facilities, so it would be wise to plan ahead. The Trail is open from Dawn to Dusk. Parking is limited, only 15 spots available. [Parking was not crowded, and neither was the trail. So, if you which to practice social distancing that is not a problem along this trail.

Trail Map

I encourage you to find a local trail and get outdoors and enjoy nature. God bless. Thank you for visiting. Till next time, Remember I appreciate y’all.

Recovering and Moving Adjustments

Apologies for being absent from the blog for the past week. Our home is still in recovery mode from illnesses. My daughter and grandson are now better and for them most part over Covid. The rest of us have been fighting spring allergies that have drained our energy. On top of all that, we had to move. Our landlord informed us he was not renewing the lease, that he had other plans for the property, and we would have to move out. It had been a real struggle to find a place to move to. Rent prices have skyrocketed, in my opinion, way too high. They are outrageous, more than doubled in the past two years. Incomes have not gone up, except for a minutest amount kin comparison to the higher inflation.

A little less than a month’s notice time wasn’t enough to sufficiently locate an ideal place to live. However, we did end up locating a place. Not one like we would have preferred, but a place all the same. We just finished moving our belongings yesterday. It is a major adjustment for all of us, but even more so for my two-year-old grandson. It is difficult for him to understand that he can’t take off and run around outside without us right near him. He was used to having a large yard to run, hike, and play in and now we have no yard. We went from living in a single wide trailer with an acre of land to an apartment with a small patio and no yard. We were able to bring his trampoline with us which is a big help in assisting with his adjustment.

Coleman
in his trampoline
before the move

Stuck
in apartment
after the move

This move inhibits his freedom to roam like he has been used to. Therefore, after we’ve all had time to settle into the new living arrangements, I’ll need to find places close by where we might be able to walk to for him to have some time to run and pay and burn off his excess energy.

I hope you’ll all be patient as I get back into the groove of blogging as my own energy slowly returns to normal. Thank you for visiting. remember I appreciate y’all.