Happy Trails!

Our backyard has been through many transitions in the past 8 1/2 years. Logging, re-foresting, many versions of a small backyard, the patio project, filling, grading, filling, grading, more grading, and finally 2 years ago real landscaping. But the part we landscaped at that point was just the upper section directly behind our house. We had a gravel path around the big lawn, but if you wanted to go anywhere else, you were in for an adventure. Much of the 4 acres was pretty wild. We had planted thousands of trees all over, but you still had to have a machete on hand to get through the weeds and blackberries.

This fall, that all changed. We hired an amazing artist of the earth to make some gravel trails for us. Now we can get all around the whole property without any trouble.

It makes for a beautiful stroll through the trees and we can finally get to the orchard and archery range without trouble. It's almost finished, and I took a few pictures with Zachary yesterday. We still need to take down all the dead weeds, but thankfully we have Mark and 2 teenage boys who are experts with the brush saw.

This is the archery range down below the big lawn. They have been making it a little more flat and much, much easier to get to. Soon the targets will be back out and my little archers can get busy.

This is a view from the south end of the property, looking across a gully toward our lawn.

I love the color that the Sourwood tree turns in the fall.

This is the view from the "secret hideout" as the kids call it. It needs some weed-whacking big time, but it is such a beautiful view of the river from this point.
Another view from the "secret hide-out."
Zack loves all the big rocks they have been bringing in to line the trails with.
Nandina. Such a beautiful plant all year long.

This is the bridge through the south gully with the river down below.

The other big addition to our yard is that we finally got a swingset. Four swings and 12 feet high. It's not just for little kids.

If you come to the door and I don't answer, come on back, because Zack and I are probably outside exploring.