The photos on this page are from some of my walks, bike rides, and golf cart excursions this year. 

One good thing (of many!) of having three Labrador retrievers is needing to take them out for at least one good walk every single day. It motivates Jim and me to get out even when the weather is lousy.

Most of the time our walks, with and without the dogs, are on the extensive network of paved "cart" paths in Peachtree City, which we can access at the end of our cul de sac. Dog walks are slower so the pups can do some sniffing and maybe greet people or other dogs. When we want to go faster for more physical benefits, Jim and I go out again for walks by ourselves.

Jim walking Holly (L) and Casey on the path near our house  (1-31-22)

These paths -- 100 miles and counting -- were one of the main reasons we decided to retire here. They are so convenient for walking, cycling, and using our golf cart.

We can also add residential streets to vary our routes and connect different parts of the paths.

Long, handsome foot bridge in the Flat Creek Nature Area in the southern part of town (5-24-22)

Peachtree City has three large lakes (Kedron, McIntosh, and Peachtree) that are popular with residents and easily accessed by the cart paths. There are also lots of ponds and parks to enjoy:

Above and below:  Kedron Ponds in spring, summer, and fall

 

Leaf colors are beautiful in October and November in this area, and some of the most striking are orange or red Japanese maple trees:

 

 

 

   

We also enjoy a succession of beautiful flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials in the spring and summer along the paths and streets while we're getting our exercise and "forest therapy:"

Pretty orange and pink azaleas + new red Japanese maple leaves (3-31-22)

   
L-R:  star and tulip magnolia blooms (3-5-22)

Above and below:  beautiful cherry blossoms in March

As the paths wear out from use, wash out from storms, or get too bumpy from tree roots, city maintenance workers (and maybe some contracted ones?) tear up the old asphalt and replace it with new material. Sometimes we have to detour around those construction zones for a few days, or walk on packed dirt until new asphalt is laid.

Rain from a late summer storm washed out a culvert at the north end of one of the Kedron ponds and the pavement gave way. The path was roped off for several weeks before repairs were made in October:

 

 

It's always interesting to watch construction projects on our walks or rides. Don gave his approval (above) to the two large new culverts that were installed to better handle the drainage at this location.

Sometimes I walk Don or ride my bike to the weekly farmers' market, library (with fountain), or  Drake Field, at the north end of Lake Peachtree:

 

 

We sometimes ride our bikes on the paths so we can go farther distances and keep some different muscles active, but our main physical exercise is walking. In addition to walking the dogs, I walk for mental and physical health. Jim walks to train for the ultra-distance timed events he enters each year, which I'll talk about in the next entry.

Here are some scenes along and south of Lake Peachtree:

 

 

 

Bridge to Spyglass Island FKA Snake Island

Relatively new weir/piano key spillway at southern end of Lake Peachtree (close-up farther below)

Colorful red-flowering crape myrtles were planted on either end of the bridging across the spillway.

 

Southern end of Lake Peachtree; spillway is to the right.

In addition to beautiful scenery, we often see wildlife and unusual sights on our walks and rides:

It's fun to watch the goslings grow from tiny fluff balls to gangly teenagers.

A rare piebald white-trail deer fawn was born in our neighborhood this year
but unfortunately it got hit and killed by a car one night on a residential street.

Yep, they are migrating farther and farther north!

Neighbors dress up this burl in various seasonal attire
to amuse of path users in the Flat Creek Nature Area.

We haven't taken the golf cart out very many times this year. Although we got new batteries for it last year, there's another unsolved problem that left us stranded one time so we're hesitant to rely on it until Jim can trouble-shoot and repair it.

Next entry: Jim's five ultra-walking races in 2022

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, Casey-Girl, Holly-Holly, & Dapper Don

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© 2022 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil