I recently hiked the River Loop Trail at The Tugaloo Bend History Center (about a mile and a half) by myself except for Buddy, the resident dog, who went along for the joy of it. To his credit, he stayed with me the entire time except when he disappeared occasionally to chase a crazy squirrel or to hunt a very wild hog.

Honestly, I was captivated by the beauty of The Bend. It was warm and the spring sunlight fell down all around me. Amazing! This was Native Indian land until white settlers took it over and began to farm it. I think Kelly once told me once that the trees at Tugaloo Bend are only 50 to 60 years old. That is pretty young for trees in this area.

Buddy went swimming! Nope, he was not a bit shy when it came to getting in the early, cold, spring water. I did shout to him to “get out,” but I have a feeling Buddy does this all the time—beavers or no beavers, wild hogs or no wild hogs.

The wetlands are really wet this year and in places I could have easily put a kayak in and paddled off. Fun!

I looked up and the leaves were out on the trees! Spring is officially here!!

I looked around me and saw that there were sweet buds opening all around me. I guess the land truly is waking up from a very long and wet winter.

Then there was the river: the Tugaloo River. It was deep and beautiful and not far from the top of its banks, which means we’ll have a really good paddle for this year’s Tugaloo River Bend History Tour. If it stays this high, we’ll be able to paddle up Longnose Creek to Longnose Falls! That is if the beavers have not been busy building dams along the way.

Speaking of beavers: I think we might have some evidence of their handiwork here!

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