A Walk Through W P Jones Park - My Secret Place
Sometimes I will go to
W P Jones Park just for a refreshing change of pace. It does not pretend to be like the other parks. There are no soccer or baseball fields, club house, or activity center. It does offer some of the finest tennis courts in the city, usually occupied with people who seem to take the game seriously. But the trails and fields of the park appear to go mostly unused, which makes for a peaceful walk but also cause for concern. In these times of lower tax revenue I would hate to see this wonderful place restricted or closed.
To me, its simplicity is its greatest charm. For instance, the trails are natural, and therefore unpaved. Some do not like it, because erosion has made the trails a bit difficult to maneuver. But that just makes them more friendly for my visits. I enjoy walking through the shaded forest which actually leads to the back entrance of the public library! It is nice to stroll along the stream, and even skip a rock or two. And I like the lush grass of the park lawns.
As Big Dog and I strolled fast into the forest, we encountered a lady who was walking in our direction with a quick pace. She looked at me with what appeared to be horror in her face, turned, and ran in the other way! Now I understand that sometimes I have that effect on women. But usually they are a little more discreet in their direct response! With friendly dog in tow, we walked ahead. And I discovered why she was so quick to leave my presence. She was with four dogs. Sissy-looking dogs. All had been unleashed and were roaming along the trail. This lady was afraid my German Shepherd would eat her scrawny little beasts. He just ignored them as he happily continued on his merry way. I did the same with their owner.
Bridge into the park. Now that's a nice view.
Log, decaying, and slowly disappearing. When I die, take me out into the woods, and leave me like this log. Seems natural to me.
Contents of a wallet, strewed on the ground. I checked to see if the owner could be identified. Important items, like drivers license and credit cards, are missing. Obviously these business cards and photographs are stolen leftovers, emptied and explored far back in these woods.
Playground. I know for a fact that Skylar, my granddaughter, likes this place. Once I tried to get her to join me, shoeless, in the little creek. She complained the water was just too cold. Baby!
Empty water bottle, littering the trail. Before tossing this into the trash, I wondered about the perpetrator? Someone cares enough about his body to exercise. And this is a high quality brand. Thus, someone has gone to commendable effort to facilitate purity for his body. Too bad he does not have the same respect for nature. Or, for others.
07.02.09 (11:31 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
Barbara (
reply)
post date:
07.02.09 (9:07 pm)
I enjoyed that walk through your park. It was peaceful. :)
Thank you,
Barbara Jackson
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
07.02.09 (10:31 pm)
Thanks again for the weekly 'stroll through the park' ~ pleasant and relaxing all at the same time.
It is a shame that people toss their 'trash' of various kinds w/o consideration for other coming after them ~ shame on them!
Just think; our year is half over already!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (5:02 am)
Reply to: Barbara
Thanks, Barbara! For quite some time I have been walking for fitness and as opportunity for prayer. This area is blessed with some fabulous parks. So, I'm doing a weekly series about the parks of Gwinnett County. Thanks for coming along. Glad to know someone else who likes to walk and pray.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (5:05 am)
Reply to: auntconi
It is surprising and irritating to me how casual some are to trash the trails and streams. These people would never dare to throw their trash into their lawns or even their expensive cars! As I walk, I usually pick up the trash and throw it in the trash cans located along the way. It's simple.
posted by:
inkspector (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (7:16 am)
Very nice. I also like places like this. We bring a trash bag with us and pick up the stuff and as we leave toss it in the trash can. However, now there are no trash cans because it was a "budget cut" and they eliminated them (people were bring trash from their homes and dumping it there for "free"). This means we are picking up more trash!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (7:43 am)
Reply to: inkspector
Eliminating trash cans- now that is a serious budget cut. I can understand- people regularly dump their trash into our church dumpster. I remember running out there one time to catch a perpetrator in the act, only to find it was a church member!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (1:21 pm)
Sic big dog on the litter bugs!
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
07.03.09 (8:53 pm)
Big Dog even enjoyed the view! I like finding a nice view, where you can see a good distance, and sit there just pondering! I can easily spend a few hours that way.
posted by:
toztee (
reply)
post date:
07.04.09 (8:41 am)
A pleasant way to spend a part of the day! That is my kind of enjoyment! I'd much rather stoll a path and look at flora and fauna blended in a an artistic tapestry by the Master &/or City/State/National Parks Management Dept. than walk the malls shopping for things I don't really need and usually put back on a shelf after lugging them all over a store. Looking forward to the next stroll. I'm picking two of my favorites for you to take DH and myself to see when we come over...in about two weeks if you and DW are home and available.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.04.09 (1:27 pm)
Reply to: toztee
Now, that would be nice for you guys to come stay a while. And when you leave, I've an extra dog you can take back with you.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.04.09 (1:28 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
Good for you! I'm not geared for sitting and pondering- got to be on the move.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
07.04.09 (1:29 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Now, that's an idea! Train him to attack litterbugs.
posted by:
Artificial Blogger (
reply)
post date:
08.19.09 (6:38 pm)
Hi,
Are you interested by a 125x125 advertising button for your blog ? Or maybe just a link to us. We are looking for affiliates, you can earn 30% on each sales.
(Found the affiliate menu at the end of the page)
Best Regards,
Artificial Blogger Team.
