Walk on the Wild Side!

DAY 94 

Ok so it really wasn't a wild walk but it was a lovely peaceful one together. A co-worker of mine told me about another "board walk" type of park in the area, so we decided to go check it out today. K along with a couple other people I work with kept mentioning that it was next to the old prison here in Columbia. I was confused because when we drove up I was looking for the prison and couldn't find anything. There was a small water plant to the right of us as we started down the path but it looked nothing like a prison. We made our way a little further down and there on the left hand side stood a single brick wall that looked like it had been cut in half. You could tell it had been there a while with the trees and grass grown around it. We came to the conclusion that it was referred to as the Old Prison because well it wasn't there any more, it all made sense after that. 

We had to walk across this bridge to get to the path that followed along the canal. It reminded me of Kauai and some of the bridges we drove across when we were there. Only this wasn't wide enough for a car to across and it sure as heck wasn't as pretty as Kauai. 

"The view from the inside looking out", there's a old school house building that housed some of the water pump circulation system and we were able to walk through.

I'm pretty sure this was the back wall of the old prison, or at least a part of it. From the looks of it and the way it mimicked the other single standing wall it seemed to make sense. Looks like over the last few years it was just made into a retaining wall that runs off the canal.

Enjoying our last free,
 weekend b4 drills school starts.

The Conagree river that we walked over the Christmas break ran along the left side of the path as we walked along the canal trail. I was much prettier on the river side but still a beautiful walk and we really enjoyed our time out together.

Do you remember the gum ball tree ?!?!?! Well that's what we called them growing up, we always found them around my mamaws house. They sure do hurt like crazy if you happen to step on them with no shoes. A few times when we were out at Bellows beach (in HI) I stumbled across a couple with out my shoes on and that was no bueno. Trying to skip over them on my runs has become quite the challenge that I've managed to over come.

There are some really nice parks here in the area that we have started to enjoy so thats nice. I'm hoping we are able to spend more time out here over the next two year.

A small slice

DAY 87 

Today I managed to find a small slice of heaven here in the south. When we were on Christmas break week before last we drove past what looked like a park along the river. The day we had planned to go back and check it out it turned frigid cold out. Today after the hubbs got home we made our way out to what is called River Front Park. As soon as we started walking along the paved path that follows the river I was in love. There were tons of families there some with their pooches. Many people were riding bikes along the way and a few runners getting their work out in. I was a very calm, tree covered area that was simply beautiful. I kept telling the hubbs how much I loved it and how I couldn't wait to come back again.

Taking it in & enjoying our walk. 

The View from the end of the trail.

We headed to the left of the trail first which came to a end about half a mile in. There was giant bolders and picnic tables were you could sit down and relax or fish from if you wanted. We took a look around and headed back the direction we'd came from. Passing the park entrance we proceded further down the paved path. Passing by people of all ages running, biking and walking I was just loving it. I probably had the dorkiest smile on my face but to have finally found a area that we can come and enjoy together was awesome. So badly I wanted to bust out running right then but I didn't think that would go over really well in my Toms and blue jean capris. We walked about a mike & a half in the same direction before the sky started to look a little gloomy, we didn't want to get caught out there in a down pour. Come to find out after a little research on line the trail is a total of 2 1/2 miles one way. Which will make for a awesome 5 mile run. There's plenty on benches and picnic tables to stop and take a break along the way over looking the river as well as emergency call boxes in the event you ever needed it. I'm so excited because its right downtown only about a 10 maybe 15 minute drive from base. It completely shaded so I see many of my runs there to come in the future. It was a nice peaceful relaxing afternoon with my love, we both enjoyed it so much and just what we needed. We talked about bringing our pups back but since we saw so many other dogs there we figured for now it would be best not to. They LOVE other dogs and are super friendly but they get so excited when there around them. What can I say there dog, dogs lol.

Downtown off in the distance. 

Conagree River Bridge 

 I could stay for hours. 

A painting under one of the bridges!