The closest park to my house would be Pinckneyville , a large soccer and softball mega-park totaling over 90 acres.  It is divided by S. Old Peachtree Road, with fields for soccer to the north and softball to the south.  Important to me are the paved walking trails around the peripheries of both sides.  When I include the additional walk to the adjoining Community Center, and the trails around the two lakes, it is a three-mile-trek located less than a mile from my home.  Big Dog and I can jump in the car and be on-the-go in about five minutes.  The trails are mostly separated from the activity centers by acres of trees and green grass.  Because of proximity and the fact that it is a great place, I use this park more than any for my daily walks.


The parks of Gwinnett County are acclaimed as among the best in the nation.  They are a worthy investment for a penny sales tax.  I've actually found a tax I like!


The thick, dark forest beckons.  Actually, it is not very isolated, as you can hear the cars and other sounds of busy lives in the background.  Sometimes I listen to my mp3 as we stroll.


Poison oak.  Not good stuff


Pink flowers in the trees.  


Blackberries.  I like to find a handful of ripe ones to munch along the way.  I know a fellow who comes here to pick buckets full.  His wife makes blackberry pie.  It's good!


Bunny rabbit.  He freezes, doesn't even twitch a whisker for the longest of time.  I guess he thinks he is invisible?


Fishing.  Actually, it is against park rules to fish around here, except for a few designated days.  I believe these are "illegals" doing something illegal.


Long, wooden walkway along the shore of the other lake.


My buddy.  Always there, always faithful, always ready to eat some nasty stuff.

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posted by: barnabus1 (reply)
post date: 06.20.09 (3:59 pm)

Great pics!!! Wouldn't you like a dirt path, more than a hard paved one? or are there dirt trails, if one chooses to take them?? If I were one of the illegals, I would be very afraid! the fine is probably far heavier than the fishin' would be worth!!

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 06.20.09 (4:51 pm)

Reply to: barnabus1
Checking this out, it occurs to me that I am using too many photos. If I could figure out how to put together and imbed a slide show, I think that would do the trick much better. And you're pretty smart with this stuff- any suggestions?

Dirt path? I'll take a paved path most days. Less to trip over, and the rains do not make a mess. On the negative, I think a paved path is hard on my dog, especially when it is so very hot. Most of the parks around here have paved paths, although in the next week or so I will introduce you to a quaint little local park that only has dirt paths. Lots of roots and erosion on the trails make for some hazardous walking. But it is still a favorite place- sort of a secret park, for very few people use it.

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posted by: PirateGirl (reply)
post date: 06.20.09 (6:18 pm)

Ahhh! Lovely! - and the more pics the better! IMHO ;)

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 06.20.09 (7:19 pm)

I agree with PirateGirl ~ a lovely post and "the more pics the better" This is so cool, er hot, umm I mean very nice; seriously! :)

I am sure Old Dog is true to the species; eats the nasties they find, and they know how to find them before you can say "eww, don't eat that!"

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 06.20.09 (8:06 pm)

second visit here ...

Are those pennies tossed by the side of the trail for the benefit of the park?

It looks like bunny rabbit was leading one to the poison oak ~ I hope he didn't lead you astray and make you touch the poisonous plant.

I agree with you that it is nice to use the wooden walkways, and you say, in the event of recent inclement weather they are not so muddy. I am sure Old Dog forgives you when you lead him down these types of walkways.

Thanks for the pleasant walk in the park today. 'See' you in church on Sunday!

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posted by: PirateGirl (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (9:53 am)

Second visit for me too - Just needed a quiet spot to unwind - Thanks PD :)

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (10:00 am)

Reply to: PirateGirl
We all need that a special place sometime during the day. Tomorrow (Thursday) we'll take another walk!

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (10:02 am)

Reply to: auntconi
Pennies? I think they are doo-doo droppings! I was considering a contest, to see who could identify the origin of those little round items.

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posted by: PirateGirl (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (10:08 am)

Reply to: PastorDave

Yes indeed :)
Ahhhh! - Looking forward to tomorrow :D

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posted by: PirateGirl (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (10:09 am)

Reply to: PastorDave

- Your reply to AC about "droppings" -
*EW!-EW- And DOUBLE EW!* :P

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posted by: auntconi (reply)
post date: 06.24.09 (10:55 am)

Reply to: PastorDave

Well... when I clicked on the photo to see what the sign said, and it said "pennies for your parks" and then I saw what looked like little round spots I assumed they were pennies ~ oh well! ~ that is what one gets for 'assuming something' eh?

It was a nice stroll through the park and looking forward to the next one... I've got my walking shoes ready to go! See you there!!!

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