Such a beautiful afternoon out

This afternoon, hubby and I took a lazy drive out, just "exploring" as we are wont to do, sometimes. We headed out on Highway 101, and took time to drive around a tint home community (one of the retirement options we are considering) and then it was all creeks, streams, and Campbell's Covered Bridge.

Water is calming for me, and I love the sound of bubbling brooks and gurgling streams, I find it very peaceful and it lowers my blood pressure and lifts my spirits. 

I packed us a cooler bag with drinks, sandwiches and (such indulgence) a piece of cheesecake each, so that we could kind of picnic as we went along. And we did!

Campbell's Covered Bridge is a lovely place. There were families with children playing in the water, people with dogs just enjoying a beautiful Summery day, everyone just out and about, taking in the pleasure of such a God-given space.

The pathway is shaded by huge trees in parts, and the remains of the old house and grist mill now form an area where people sit and picnic. 

One has to walk from the parking area down. Unfortunately, it becomes a gravel area to walk on, and me and my walker struggle with gravel paths, so I made it down the paved walkway and then sat in a shady area in front of a natural spring, that sent a stream meandering its way down the hillside to the stone ledge where people were sunbathing.

Coming back up the slope was more difficult, but I think I achieved it with aplomb, I only had to rest a couple of times, and with it being so hot outside (and me not doing so well, in the heat, usually) I was quite pleased about that.

Getting back to the car, my BP was a bit elevated, 186/82 but dropped fairly easily to 145/78, so no meds needed either! That was a blessing, as I do hate having to take meds BUT when I have to, I take them, because they keep me alive! When I can get my body to do things naturally, that's def my preference.

Campbell's Covered Bridge, is apparently the last covered bridge in the state, and was built in 1909. It spans what is known as Beaverdam Creek, and is named for Alexander Lafayette Campbell (who apparently was a big land owner in the area, at the time, and built a corn mill), according to local historians.

It's quite small really, only 38 feet x 12 feet, and apparently, it's design was quite rare. It has diagonal pine timbers and vertical iron rods, and the design is called a Howe Truss. July 1 2005, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, thus ensuring that it will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

There are various hiking trails around the park area, but obviously moi and my walker did not get to wander any of them. Natural flooring, in wilderness type areas, is just too hard to navigate. The wheels just don't want to work in unison, and every bump in the track, is very jarring. Were I able to walk unaided, I'd have loved to have explored them.