It was one of those zip-a-dee-doo-dah kind of days. Any June day of 78°F (25°C) has Multiple Sclerosis friendly stamped all over it.
Wheelchair accessible hiking trails at Kings Gap State Park South Mountain
Stopping for gas I notice BP station logos, signs and materials removed, stacked up and a hand printed sign in the window “changing to Gulf”. Impossible to not reflect on the contradiction as I feed the bigger problem to get to, as of now, an environmental sanctuary?
Arriving at Kings Gap, sometimes you just have to stop and applaud a blend of functionality, accessibility and creativity such as accessible bathrooms with commodes decorated like tree trunks.
White Oaks Trail: Paved 3/10 mile loop trail through a white oak forest. Rolling through the deciduous forest Patti and I both commented on the absolute quiet of no ambient noise such as traffic, air conditioners, etc. Narrow trail with lush trail side ferns and even moss on the trail at points give it the feel of a ‘walking path’ through the deep woods. Accessible van parking directly at the trail head! EASY and ENJOYABLE.
Up at the top sits the Kings Gap Mansion (Cameron Masland Mansion) built a little over 100 years ago when people with too much money actually built 32 room stone mansions for summer homes. Whoever, whatever, the view is awesome. Adjacent accessible van parking.
Whispering Pines Trail: Paved 3/10 mile loop trail winding through a pine plantation of white pine, Douglas fir and larch planted as an experimental tree farm in the 1950s. Captivating trail with soaring trees, a reconstructed log farm house from 1850, and an absolute treat to the nose with all the pines … ‘BEST smelling trail’ kudos!
Easy trail UNTIL … a fallen tree made it impassable unless you had a caregiver attendant muscle the wheelchair over.
What better way to end the day than laughing through a game of hide and seek.
It's the truth, it's actual
Ev'rything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day, yes sir!
Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer
musings: patrick ponders
Had to note your "best smelling trail" -- there's nothing like the summer smell of warmed up pine needles. And, since I live in the fir trees, I strongly associate that with outdoor trips to places with the pines from childhood on up.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a most excellent day.
The smell of conifers on a warm day -- if we ever get a warm day out here in the gloomy Pacific Northwest, maybe I'll remember what that's like! And a van accessible parking space so you can enjoy it. Life is good!
ReplyDeleteYou truly love your wife. It shows. You two are an inspiration.
ReplyDelete(LOL Patrick, had to say first, what is it about you people in the East? someone on their blog yesterday had zip-a-dee-doo-dah on their entry and that song got stuck in my mind all day; finally got it out of mind today, and then I come upon your blog.......)
ReplyDeletelooks like a beautiful place to spend the day!! gorgeous scenery and neat that it is all accessible for you and Patti to enjoy the time together
cracked up about the tree commode; I would have taken a picture too!
glad you guys had a great time together and the weather was just about perfect!!
Happy Fourth!
betty